Research & Statistics
Our research combines data from multiple reputable sources including sports governing bodies, safety organizations, and academic studies to present a clear picture of online risks faced by athletes, influencers, and public figures. These findings highlight the urgent need for better protection measures.
Online Abuse Against Athletes & Public Figures
Professional athletes face unprecedented levels of online harassment, with abuse intensifying during major tournaments. Research from FIFA, FIFPRO, and World Athletics reveals systemic patterns of discriminatory behavior targeting players based on performance, race, and gender.
40+
languages covered by FIFA's Social Media Protection Service across 211 member associations
Source: Reuters90%+
reduction in athlete exposure to discriminatory content through automated moderation
Source: FIFAPlayer Abuse Rates at Major Tournaments
Percentage of players receiving discriminatory abuse on social media during tournament finals
Source: FIFA and FIFPRO studies on social media abuse during EURO 2020, AFCON 2021, and World Cup tournaments
Gender Disparity in Athlete Targeting
Women athletes face significantly higher rates of online abuse compared to their male counterparts
Source: FIFA World Cup data showing 29% higher targeting rate for women athletes
Key Findings
- •Discrimination is widespread: Over half of all players in major tournament finals experience discriminatory abuse, with racism being the most common form.
- •Women face disproportionate targeting: Female athletes are 29% more likely to receive abuse than male athletes, with 30% of abuse being sexualized in nature.
- •Automated moderation is effective: FIFA's Social Media Protection Service has hidden 2.6 million abusive comments and reduced athlete exposure to harmful content by over 90%.
- •Tournament intensity correlates with abuse: Abuse rates increase during high-stakes matches, with AFCON 2021 and EURO 2020 seeing over 50% of players targeted.
Protection at Scale
FIFA's Social Media Protection Service now covers all 211 member associations, monitoring content in 40+ languages and auto-hiding abuse before athletes see it. Independent studies confirm that automated moderation reduces athlete exposure to discriminatory content by over 90%, demonstrating that AI-powered protection systems can effectively shield public figures from the worst forms of online harassment.
Online Abuse Against Women & Influencers
Women with public online profiles—including influencers, content creators, journalists, and athletes—face dramatically higher rates of online abuse, harassment, and threats compared to the general population. Research from UNESCO, Pew Research Center, and eSafety Commissioner reveals systemic patterns of gender-based violence targeting women in public-facing roles.
73%
of women journalists have faced online violence, with 25% receiving physical threats and 18% sexual threats
Source: UNESCO1 in 3
women experience online abuse in a work context, with higher rates for those with public online/media profiles
Source: eSafety Commissioner3x Higher
Women are three times more likely than men to experience sexual harassment online (16% vs 5%)
Source: Pew Research Center36%
of women under 40 have received unsolicited sexual photos, with 67% arriving via social media
Source: YouGov7.1%
of tweets sent to women politicians and journalists are abusive or problematic
Source: Amnesty International84% More
Black women are 84% more likely to be targeted with abusive tweets than white women
Source: Amnesty InternationalSexual Harassment Rates by Gender
Women experience sexual harassment online at dramatically higher rates, with young women under 35 facing the highest risk
Source: Pew Research Center study on online harassment patterns
Key Findings
- •Public-facing women are disproportionately targeted: Women with public online or media profiles (creators, influencers, journalists) experience significantly higher rates of abuse compared to the general population.
- •Sexual harassment is pervasive: Women are three times more likely than men to experience sexual harassment online, with rates reaching 1 in 3 for women under 35.
- •Physical and sexual threats are common: Among women journalists who face online violence, 25% receive direct physical threats and 18% receive sexual threats—a pattern similar across public-facing roles.
- •Intersectionality matters: Black women are 84% more likely to be targeted with abusive content than white women, highlighting how racism and sexism compound online.
- •DMs are a primary attack vector: 67% of unsolicited sexual images arrive via social media, with Instagram reporting that high-profile women are "bombarded" with abusive content through direct messages.
Direct Message Risk
Instagram has implemented explicit-image blocking in DM requests after high-profile women reported being bombarded with abusive and sexually explicit content. The platform acknowledges that women with public profiles face persistent harassment through direct messaging, with cyberflashing (unsolicited sexual images) being a widespread problem. 67% of such images are sent via social media platforms, making DM protection essential for influencers and public figures.
Source: The Guardian
Research Sources
These sources have been carefully selected to provide a comprehensive and accurate overview of online abuse targeting athletes, influencers, and public figures. The statistics and findings used throughout this research page are derived from these reputable organizations and studies.