Young people — 8 to 17 years
The nasty stuff
The most common negative online experiences reported by young people:
- 33% unwanted contact/content
- 21% social exclusion
- 21% threats and abuse
- 18% damage to reputation
- 14% fraud and viruses
- 8% lack of consent
The highest ranking negative impacts
- 36% did not feel good about themselves
- 35% felt emotions like anger, sadness, fear, helplessness
- 24% felt left out/losing friends
But it’s not all bad news!
65% were able to interpret what had happened to them in a positive way.
The top three positive responses:
- 40% became more aware of online risks
- 33% became more aware of their real friends
- 23% learnt to use the internet in a more balanced way
Managing a negative experience
Actions taken to get through the negative online experience:
- 24% sought help from formal networks
- 51% engaged in self-help strategies
- 71% sought help from informal networks
Young bystanders – witnessing negative online behaviours
- 92% of bystanders chose to do something!
- 60% talked about it with their own support networks
When it came to providing material support to others:
- 16% sought help from formal networks
- 50% provided direct advice to the victim
- 15% other actions
Source: Youth and digital dangers, Office of the eSafety Commissioner, 3 May 2018
Data drawn from eSafety’s Youth Digital Participation Survey, using a random sample of 3,017 young people in Australia aged 8 to 17 years in the 12 months to June 2017 (kids 8 to 12 years, teens 13 to 17 years)
