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The damage caused by cybertrolls and implacable online bullies goes well beyond the emotional and physical consequences: a new report gives a dollar figure on the economic impact.
A new study by the Australian Institute found that 39% of people had experienced at least one form of online harbadment, which equates to 8.8 million Australians.
From this, the organization estimated the total cost of cybertrolling for the national economy by looking at medical expenses and lost revenue, which amounted to $ 3.7 billion.
"Six people interviewed have been the subject of continuous attacks of cyber hate.
that have lasted in one case for more than a decade, "says the new report.
It was found that these six people had medical costs of up to $ 250,000 and legal services ranging from $ 2,000 to $ 100,000.
"Interstate and international travel costs have been incurred, while four have moved three times more often," the report said.
In general, the most common types of cyberbullying reported by study participants were: abusive language (27%), sending unwanted badual messages or explicit images (18%), and threats of physical violence or death (8%). .
Women were much more likely to be harbaded online: 44% of women were victims of some form of cyberbullying, compared to 34% of Australians.
Model and reality TV star Charlotte Dawson has committed suicide in 2014 after a long and documented battle against cybertrolls.
Prior to her tragic death, Ms. Dawson spoke at length about incessant abuses, including repeated calls for her to kill herself.
"That's what triggered that helpless feeling when the trolls came to my house," Dawson said after a night of abuse brought her to hospital. "They got the better of me and they won."
the The Australian supermodel Judge emphasized the dangers of anonymous trolls – especially for vulnerable victims.
"If people want you to kill yourself and you're someone who has already tried to end your day, it's very easy to feel that it's exactly what you want to do," he said. Ms. Dawson said.
After his death, the outrage of the community sparked a call for action from governments to tackle the worsening problem, although little progress appears to have been made.
The Australian Institute study found that online harbadment was mostly targeted at younger age groups.
Research conducted last year as part of the National Day Against Harbadment and Violence revealed that one in four Australian students reported being bullied every few weeks.
Cyberbullying was a recurring problem as 72% of schools reported online bullying incidents during the past year.
Related story: Dolly Everett's parents reveal what led to their daughter's death
The Helpline Kids Helpline has received more than 3,800 calls from youth counselors concerned about bullying in 2016, of which 84% related to bullying at school.
In addition to their financial cost to the economy, trolls can have a significant impact on the well-being of people, with one third of respondents reporting negative mental or physical consequences.
Journalist and writer Ginger Gorman has written a book about trolls after she herself experienced an avalanche of hate and harbadment on the Internet.
"One of the most erroneous mistakes about the Internet is that it's neither real nor virtual, but virtual," Gorman wrote about the 2016 experience.
"If you feel that your children are threatened or threatened, it's no less real than if you did it at the supermarket."
As part of the search for his next book Troll huntshe searched for people who had carried out a harbadment campaign against her.
"They were much more dangerous than I imagined," Gorman said.
"Most of them have operated in gangs. They researched each victim and tried to find the weakest point. Then, these trolls would "pile up" the victim in an incessant campaign of hatred and fear. "
The Australian Institute's research was based on a national survey of 1,1557 people between March 27, 2018 and April 7, 2018 via the Research Now platform, with representative samples at the national level by bad, age, and state and territory.
The report was commissioned by journalist and author Ginger Gorman for the purposes of his book Troll Hunting
If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline at 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au
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