The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) announced on the 8th that a research team led by Professor Choi Moon-jeong at the Graduate School of Science and Technology Policy has identified that experiences and responses to digital hacking victimization differ by gender.
The research team analyzed over 13,000 posts from social media that experienced hacking using artificial intelligence, finding that women reported experiencing hacking victimization more frequently than men in nearly all online service areas, excluding gaming.
Men were particularly affected by hacking related to gaming services. Women were analyzed to be more likely to suffer negative outcomes due to hacking, such as reputation damage, financial loss, and changes to personalized content.
Gender differences were also clearly evident in strategies for coping with hacking. While men primarily employed active strategies such as tracking the source of the hacking or recovering their accounts, women showed a tendency to utilize social resources, such as sharing their experiences or seeking help.
As cybercrime related to hacking increases, the research team noted gender differences from the perspective of the 'third-level digital divide,' highlighting that despite having similar digital accessibility and usage abilities, social inequalities emerge in digital utilization outcomes.
Graduate student Heo Eun-jin said, "When discussing the digital divide, there is a tendency to focus solely on internet accessibility or mobile device usability, but this study highlights the 'third-level digital divide' where experiences of hacking victimization differ despite similar digital accessibility and capabilities."
Professor Choi Moon-jeong said, "This can be utilized for tailored security education and support that reflects behavioral patterns based on demographic characteristics."
The results of this study were published online in the international academic journal Social Science Computer Review on Apr. 29.
References
Social Science Computer Review (2025), DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/08944393251334974