Prevalence and Predictors of Digital Sexual Harassment Perpetration Among Youth: The Role of Demographics, Sexism, Moral Disengagement, and Online Ethical Values.

Digital sexual harassment (DSH) perpetration among youth is a concerning issue that requires further research attention. This study examined the prevalence of DSH perpetration according to gender, age, sexual orientation, and relationship status, and explored risk factors (hostile sexism, benevolent sexism, and moral disengagement) and protective factors (online ethical values). A total of 1098 Spanish adolescents and young adults aged 13-23 years (Mage = 16.07, SDage = 2.38) completed a self-report survey. Descriptive, correlational, and binomial regression analyses were conducted. Results showed that 13.4% of participants engaged in DSH in the past 12 months. Male participants reported more than twice the rates observed among female participants (21.1% vs. 7.9%), and adolescents reported higher prevalence than young adults, whereas no differences emerged for sexual orientation or relationship status. Regression analyses indicated that benevolent sexism was a consistent predictor, while gender moderated the effects of hostile sexism and moral disengagement. Hostile sexism predicted perpetration only among female participants and predicted moral disengagement only among male participants. Importantly, online ethical values emerged as a novel protective factor, substantially reducing the likelihood of perpetration and buffering, though not eliminating, the risks associated with high moral disengagement. These findings provide evidence for prevention strategies and underscore the role of ethical values in addressing gendered forms of online violence.