Yes, the Internet is a scarier place for women than for men

The study found that nearly half of American Internet users have been targeted by some form of online harassment. While men and women experienced harassment at the same rates, women were more likely to face “more serious violations,” according to the report.

For instance, 1 in 10 female Internet users said they have faced sexual harassment online vs. 1 in 20 male Internet users, according to the survey on which the report is based. Women were also more likely to be harassed over long periods of time and subjected to damaging rumors.

That’s one reason women have a more harrowing experience online, according to Amanda Lenhart, the paper’s lead author.

“The tactics applied more often to harassment of women are more varied, longer-lasting and often designed to provoke fear,” she said.