India reported the highest levels of online harassment through cyberstalking and threats of physical violence in the Asia Pacific region, higher than countries like Australia and Japan, a report by Norton by Symantec today said.
The report, which surveyed 1,035 adults in India, found 8 among 10 surveyed saying they had encountered some form of online harassment.
The most common forms of online harassment were abuse and insults (63 per cent) and malicious gossip and rumours (59 per cent).
About 45 per cent of the Indian respondents said they had experienced threats of physical violence compared to 35 per cent in Australia, 37 per cent in New Zealand and 20 per cent in Japan.
Similarly, 44 per cent Indian respondents said they have been victims of cyberbullying, higher than those in Australia (33 per cent), New Zealand (34 per cent) and Japan (15 per cent).
Within India, 51 per cent respondents from Mumbai said they had experienced threats of physical violence compared to Delhi (47 per cent) and Hyderabad (46 per cent).
Delhi saw the highest incidences of cyberbullying (51 per cent) compared to other cities, according to the report.
Norton by Symantec Country Manager Ritesh Chopra told reporters here that the research showed that the incidence of online harassment was particularly high for people in the under 40s age group, with 65 per cent reporting online abuse and insults.
"About 87 per cent of people with disabilities or poor mental health and 77 per cent of those with weight issues said they had experienced abuse/insults online," he added.
Chopra noted that for over 40 per cent of the incidences of cyberbullying and nearly half of cyberstalking cases, the perpetrator was a stranger.
"People today are spending more time on social media platforms. It is important that people take basic precautions when they are online to protect themselves and avoid unwanted contact," he added.
Interestingly, 49 per cent men and 41 per cent women said they had experienced cyberstalking. About 38 per cent surveyed said they had experienced sexual harassment online with someone making inappropriate comments online or sending graphic sexual content.
The report found that common reactions to such harassment included anger, irritation and frustration.
"Worryingly, a significant proportion reported depression and 1 in 4 women found the experience frightening," it added.
Reports of sexual harassment were highest by victims from Delhi and Mumbai (43 per cent), followed by Kolkata (37 per cent) and Bengaluru (36 per cent), it said.
"People should check their security and privacy settings on social media platforms and regularly change passwords. They should not respond to the perpetrator and keep all records and evidence of the harassment. They also need to report such behaviour to relevant authorities immediately," Chopra said.
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