{"id":30277,"date":"2026-07-22T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/michigan.it.umich.edu\/news\/?p=30277"},"modified":"2026-07-22T11:46:04","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T15:46:04","slug":"online-harassment-and-abuse-what-you-can-do-to-limit-risk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michigan.it.umich.edu\/news\/2026\/07\/22\/online-harassment-and-abuse-what-you-can-do-to-limit-risk\/","title":{"rendered":"Online Harassment and Abuse: What You Can Do to Limit Risk"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It\u2019s no secret \u2014 online harassment<\/a> is a concern in our digital world, and members of the higher education community are increasingly subjected to in-person and online targeted abuse and attacks. The Safe Computing website offers steps individuals can take to protect themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While anyone can be a target of malicious digital behavior, certain populations are at greater risk. In 2026, 27% of surveyed American women<\/a> had experienced some form of online harassment, a 4% increase from the previous year. When sorted by occupation, women with \u201chighly visible\u201d careers, such as journalists or government officials, reported higher rates of online harassment, with 41% experiencing attacks, compared to those with lower visibility occupations.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Targeted attacks, such as doxing, can often be traced to the prevalence of personal information publicly accessible online. In the survey<\/a>, 79% of participants believed online harassment is linked to the availability of this information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attacks Accelerated by AI<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s more, AI can be a tool for attackers who exploit the Large Language Models to accelerate and spread harassment and increase the specificity of attacks. According to the National Association of Attorneys General,<\/a> \u201cBot networks and algorithm-driven amplification can distribute doxxed content widely and repeatedly, increasing reputational risk and emotional distress for victims.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since new technological advancements bring new risks to personal online privacy, it\u2019s crucial to know how to safeguard your digital experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What You Can Do<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Follow the guidance on the Safe Computing website regarding how to Protect Yourself from Online Harassment<\/a> and Practice Online Hygiene<\/a>, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n