Cyberbullying Affects Over 30% of Women in Mexico

Online harassment affects three out of every 10 women in Mexico, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI). The country is one of the 10 most affected in the world,  with young women between 12 and 29 years old being the most vulnerable due to their high usage of social networks.

"Stalking is often trivialized as something 'harmless' or an 'intense romantic interest,' ignoring that it is based on control and can escalate into dangerous situations. It is a serious crime in many countries because it infringes on security and personal freedom," says Judith Tapia, Consumer Head Mexico and North America, Kaspersky, to Expansión.

The growth of online harassment in Mexico is linked to the increased use of digital platforms. According to INEGI’s National Survey on the Availability and Use of Information Technologies in Households (ENDUTIH) 2023, cyberbullying and the dissemination of intimate content without consent are among the most common forms of digital violence. In addition, Kaspersky reveals that over 50% of Latin Americans have been victims or suspected victims of cyberbullying, underlining the urgency of preventive and educational measures.

The most affected group is young women, who represent the most active segment on social networks. This exposure, combined with constant monitoring practices and manipulative tactics, increases their vulnerability.

ENDUTIH found that 30.1% of the surveyed women aged 12-19 were victims of cyberbullying. The problem is prevalent in Durango, with 41.3% of surveyed women reporting suffering from cyberbullying , Guanajuato with 40.2%, Colima with 39.4%, Jalisco with 38.5%, and Tabasco with 37.6%.

Of the surveyed women between the ages of 20 and 29, 30.7% reported being victims of cyberbullying.Durango again stands out, with 44% of those surveyed reporting being victims, followed by Puebla with 39.1%, Sonora with 38.5%, Zacatecas with 38.2%, and Colima with 35.1%.

Among the most frequent forms of online harassment are cyberbullying, which involves the persistent sending of unwanted messages, threats, or insults, and unwanted sexualization, characterized by the sending of explicit comments or images without consent. The report also highlights doxing, which consists of the publication of personal information, such as addresses or contact details, without authorization, and the theft and misuse of images, particularly the dissemination of intimate photographs without permission.

Several initiatives have been put forward to address this problem, such as the Olimpia Law, which punishes digital violence, including harassment and the non-consensual dissemination of intimate content. In addition, platforms such as Kaspersky have developed practical harassment awareness guides, providing tools for victims and communities to identify aggressor tactics and document evidence effectively.

Kaspersky's main recommendations, shared by Tapia, include documenting all offensive interactions through screenshots and messages that record date, time, and context. It also suggests safeguarding online security by using unique passwords, enabling two-step authentication, and configuring privacy settings on social networks to limit exposure. Finally, the use of reporting tools available on digital platforms to effectively report abusive accounts or inappropriate content is encouraged.

Finally, the Federal Government asks victims to turn to the Cyber Police of the National Guard or the Public Prosecutor's Office, both of which offer channels for dealing with complaints related to cyberbullying.