Despite claims that the Internet is society's great leveller - a platform where everyone, rich and poor, young and old, male and female - can interact, men claim a near monopoly on the Web.

In Europe, between 9% and 20% of Internet users are female. The US and Canada are doing slightly better but in other countries the record is far worse. In Japan and Arab countries women make up less than 5% of web users.

And even when they do get on-line, women can face a barrage of hostile material and sexual abuse. They are frequently the targets of flaming - Internet-jargon for uncensored hostility during on-line discussion groups.

No Web, no comment

The unhappy state of affairs is taking its toll in the workplace, says Dr Janet Morahan-Martin, professor of psychology at Bryant College, Rhode Island.

The Web is well on its way to becoming a vital tool for white-collar workers. It is used to announce new jobs, and carries details of company shake-ups.

That means women are missing out on important career information, Dr Morahan-Martin told a three-day conference this week, organised by Internet Research and Information for Social Scientists.

"A study last year of Internet use among working women in the US found access to the Web at work was associated with higher pay," says Dr Morahan-Martin.

Toys for the boys

The roots of the problem stretch back 20 years to the start of the home computer revolution. It was a world inhabited primarily by male scientists, mathematicians and computer hackers.

Boys' toy: Girls get left behind at a young age

Much has changed since then, but many of the assumptions remain. Boys are expected to play with computer games and these tend to be based around action, violence, adventure and sport.

Research shows that parents play to the stereotypes, buying twice as many computer-related products for their sons as their daughters.

"In America there was a Barbie computer game which came out recently and sold half a million copies in six months," says Dr Morahan-Martin.

"Barbie is not my idea of a educational toy but you have to appreciate that things like this will help girls feel more at home with technology."

Sarcasm and sexism

Sadly, those females who do beat the odds to make it online often find themselves bullied and intimidated by uncensored sexism.

"Discussion groups seem to bring out the worst in some people, so they behave in a way that they would never dream of face-to-face.

"I have come up against this even in academic discussion groups. People can fly off the handle and attack you quite unexpectedly.

"Some research suggests that when women 'speak' more than 30% of the time they are thought of as dominating."

The result is that many females prefer to log on with a man's name or a neutral name to prevent unwanted advances.

"When women reproach others, they are more specific with their criticism and use less offensive statements. Male reproaches are more sarcastic and personal."

But Dr Morahan-Martin does detect a whiff of change.

"Women are starting to find their way into information technology jobs and because there is a labour shortage at the moment they are doing quite well within these jobs.