The former head of the UK’s cyber security agency is urging social media firms to do more to keep girls and young women safe online as she warned over rising levels of misogyny and sexism. Felicity Oswald, former chief executive at the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), said social media firms are not doing enough to protect girls and women, with many tech firms slashing budgets for online safety.
As the new chief executive of Girlguiding, she is calling on tech companies to help stamp out misogyny and harmful content online. "I’ve worked really closely with technology companies based across the world, including social media companies, and I know many of their staff work tirelessly to keep their users safe," she told the PA news agency.
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"However, it’s not enough yet. The trends are getting worse rather than better. "Technology companies across the world seem to be reducing the number of staff and the systems thinking about harmful content."
A recent survey of more than 2,500 girls and young women by Girlguiding found that 26% of girls aged 13 to 18 have seen a sexualised deep fake of themselves, a friend or a celebrity.
Ms Oswald said: "That is shocking and I think society needs to wake up and listen to the girls’ voices saying that’s not OK.
“The numbers aren’t going to go down any time soon unless there’s real action."
According to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), online offences such as revenge porn and cyberflashing account for more than half of the 11% rise in reported sexual crimes across Britain between March 2024 and March 2025.
End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW) policy head Rebecca Hitchin said: "The increase in reports of cyberflashing and image-based sexual abuse shows growing awareness that such behaviour is an offence.
"However we remain concerned about tech platforms’ inadequate safeguards which allow this behaviour to proliferate.
"Questions must now be asked about the extent to which the police, CPS and courts are prepared and resourced for responding to these forms of online offending.
"Do they have the tools, the understanding and the drive to effectively investigate and prosecute these crimes?"