Proof that men who harass women online are literally losers

Gender inequality and sexism online were the subject of a new study published this week in PLOS One that examined the men behind the harassing messages directed at women in the virtual world.

Researchers Michael Kasmovic and Jeffrey Kuznekoff teamed up for the study, which entailed observing how women are treated by men during games of Halo 3, the Washington Post reported.

The duo, after 163 games, concluded that despite the content of the game or the player‘s level of skill, men were generally "cordial" to each other. They also observed that men who were less skilled at the game frequently made inappropriate or rude comments to female players.

Men who were better at the game were generally nicer to people of both sexes and all skill levels.

Pew Research Center in 2014 reported 40 percent of people have experiences harassment online, regardless of gender. "Young women are particularly vulnerable to sexual harassment and stalking," the report said.

Contact Kristen DeSilva at 702-477-3895 or kdesilva@reviewjournal.com.  Find her on Twitter: @kristendesilva