UP to a third of British MPs experience online trolling leading in some cases to mental and emotional distress, new research from the University of Bradford has found.
The survey of 181 MPs found every one had experienced abuse, harassment or threats from online trolls.
On Twitter, male MPs receive more abuse and threats than female MPs, but tended to involve defamatory or false statements to try and damage their reputation.
Female MPs received more varied abuse, including racial, sexual or religious abuse, and threats of rape and violence.
Women also tended to suffer more from mental and emotional distress, reputational damage, and even fear for their wellbeing.
Prof Catriona Morrison, said: “With only two online trolls convicted to date in the UK, we have to ask what we can do about this behaviour, which has a very real impact on people.”
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