Findings of Major International Survey by The Cybersmile Foundation Published on Stop Cyberbullying Day 2017
Author: SCD Team
June 16, 2017
For Stop Cyberbullying Day 2017, The Cybersmile Foundation have released the findings of a major international survey focused on cyberbullying, online abuse and harassment. The report highlights the levels of bystander exposure to various types of online abuse including racist, homophobic and religious based abuse online. 50,000 internet users across the U.S. and the U.K. were targeted through Google Surveys with ages of participants ranging from 18 through to internet users over 65.
“REGARDLESS OF THE INTENDED TARGET, ONLINE ABUSE CAN BE EQUALLY AS DAMAGING FOR BYSTANDERS AS IT IS FOR THE INTENDED VICTIMS. THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM JUST FOR THOSE WHO ARE BEING TARGETED OR ONLY YOUNG PEOPLE, BUT ALSO FOR A MUCH WIDER ONLINE AUDIENCE. THIS REALLY HIGHLIGHTS THE PREVALENCE OF ONLINE ABUSE AND HOW IT AFFECTS ALL INTERNET USERS.”
Dan Raisbeck, Co-Founder, The Cybersmile Foundation
50,000 Internet users in the U.K. and U.S. were asked about their exposure to online toxicity. They asked participants five questions related to religion, racism, homophobia and harassment and bullying. The findings are a true indication of the levels of toxicity people are experiencing when using the internet.
“AS CYBERSMILE’S OFFICIAL DIVERSITY AMBASSADOR AND ALSO AS SOMEBODY WHO HAS BEEN PERSONALLY AFFECTED BY ABUSE ONLINE, I AM VERY PROUD TO BE PART OF THIS INTERNATIONAL SURVEY. WE MUST ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT ABUSIVE MATERIAL SUCH AS RACISM, RELIGIOUS BASED AND HOMOPHOBIC CONTENT ONLINE HURT AND AFFECT HUGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE, REGARDLESS OF WHO THE ACTUAL OFFENSIVE MATERIAL WAS INTENDED FOR.”
Normani Kordei, Diversity Ambassador, The Cybersmile Foundation
NOTABLE FINDINGS
- 54.5% of all respondents in the U.S. had seen the most online abuse on Facebook
- 55.1% of all respondents in the U.K. had seen the most online abuse on Facebook
- 45.2% of respondents in the U.S. aged between 18-24 had seen racist abuse online
- 40.6% of respondents in the U.K. aged between 18-24 had seen racist abuse online
- 39.8% of respondents in the U.S. aged between 25-34 had seen homophobic abuse online
- 31.5% of respondents in the U.K. aged between 18-24 had seen religion based abuse online
- 35.7% of respondents in the U.S. aged between 18-24 had seen religion based abuse online
There are lots of amazing surprises planned throughout today to celebrate Stop Cyberbullying Day, you can make sure you don’t miss any of the activities by following Cybersmile’s official twitter account @CybersmileHQ. Getting involved is easy, just use the #STOPCYBERBULLYINGDAY wherever you are on the internet to show your commitment to a diverse and inclusive internet, free from threats and abuse!