Last updated by ruth.salter@essex.gov.uk on Thursday, January 29, 2026

Internet Matters has published a briefing on the differences between girls’ and boys’ online experiences. The report draws on data from Internet Matters’ annual UK survey of 1,000 9-to-16-year-olds and their parents.

Key findings include:

• boys’ and girls’ online activity is becoming more similar, as they spend the same amount of time on activities including chatting to friends and browsing social media;
• both genders are broadly positive about their time online;
• 69% of girls and 66% of boys report having at least one negative online experience;
• girls are more likely to be contacted by strangers and to receive abusive and upsetting messages from people they know;
• and while girls are more likely to speak to someone when they experience harm online, boys are more likely to take steps on the platform on which harm is encountered.

You can read the full report on the Internet Matters website