ExitQuick exit Click to quickly leave this site

Safer Internet Day 2021

February 10th 2021

Half of Young People Encounter Misleading Content Online On A Daily Basis

Research launched from Safer Internet Centre yesterday, reveals the new challenges young people face in identifying misleading content, at a time when being online is more important than ever.

It found that:​

77% of young people say being online is a more important part of their life than ever before, with over 65% enjoying online lessons during lockdown amidst school closures

48% of young people are seeing misleading content every day, with more than one in 10 seeing it more than six times a day - often leaving them feeling annoyed, upset, sad, angry, attacked or scared.

43% of young people have noticed their friends and peers sharing misleading content (such as fake news) online

62% of young people have had friend requests from people they don’t know

59% of young people are aware they have a responsibility to report potentially damaging, harmful or misleading content online, but overall are more likely to block misleading content (21%) than report it (16%)

Read the full research report here: https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2021/internet-young-people-can-trust-safer-internet-day