In observance of International Safer Internet Day, Microsoft released its newly updated “Digital Civility Index” (DCI) which found that people’s digital interactions and responses to online risks appear to be improving around the world.
The study, which was conducted in 23 countries, measured the perceptions of teens and adults about the online risks they face and how these interactions affect their lives.
The study found that many of those who have been a victim of online abuse say their perpetrators came from their immediate families and social circles. In fact, nearly 31 percent of respondents in Turkey said that they have been targeted online by people they knew personally, including family or friends, whereas 21 percent of respondents in South Africa said that they have been targeted online by people with whom they have a personal relationship.
Although many believe online risks are facilitated by the anonymity provided by the internet, 47 percent of respondents in Turkey and 44 percent of respondents in South Africa said they had met their perpetrator in real life. Among those who had met their perpetrator, nearly 80 percent, for both Turkey and South Africa, had met before the risk occurred.
Top online risks are ‘unwanted contact’ and ‘hoaxes, fraud and scams’
For the second year in a row, unwanted contact surfaced as the leading online risk that people experienced, and South Africa had the third highest rate of unwanted contact among all countries surveyed.
The next closest-ranked risk was hoaxes, fraud and scams as a collective, with 44 percent of respondents in South Africa and 23 percent in Turkey reporting exposure during their lifetime. This is the first year this risk was included in this survey.
Additional highlights from the report include:
- Turkey ranked 16th out of 23 countries for exposure to online risks.
- South Africa on the other hand ranked 22nd out of 23 countries for exposure to online risks.
- South African millennials between the ages of 18-34 had the highest levels of risk exposure (84 percent).
- 52 percent of respondents in Turkey experienced one or more forms of harassment. This study defined harassment as Unwanted Contact, Unwanted Sexting, Online Harassment, Cyberbullying or Misogyny.
Digital Civility Challenge 2.0
Along with last year’s research, Microsoft launched its “Digital Civility Challenge” in 2017, asking people to pledge to live by four common-sense guidelines for safer, healthier online interactions.
Encouragingly, the study found that both South Africa and Turkey exceeded the global averages for civil behaviour. Respondents in South Africa were 14 points higher on ‘standing up for myself’ and nine points higher on ‘paused before replying to something I disagreed with’. Respondents in Turkey were 19 points higher on ‘standing up for myself’, seven points higher on ‘showed respect for other people’s point of view’ and six points higher on ‘treating other people with respect and dignity’.
This year, Microsoft is reigniting the “Digital Civility Challenge” by asking supporters to share examples of how they’re doing the right thing online by using the hashtags #Challenge4Civility and #Im4DigitalCivility.
Here are the Digital Civility Challenge actions:
- Live the Golden Rule by acting with empathy, compassion and kindness in every interaction, and treating everyone you connect with online with dignity and respect.
- Respect differences, honour diverse perspectives and when disagreements surface, engage thoughtfully, and avoid name-calling and personal attacks.
- Pause before replying to things you disagree with, and don’t post or send anything that could hurt someone else, damage reputations or threaten someone’s safety.
- Stand up for yourself and others by supporting those who are targets of online abuse or cruelty, reporting threatening activity and preserving evidence of inappropriate or unsafe behaviour.
Consolidated catalogue of online safety resources
Last year’s research indicated that a large portion of respondents either did not know, or were unsure, where to go for help if they encountered an online risk. Thankfully, this picture has improved with this latest round of research – 47 percent of respondents in Turkey and 40 percent in South Africa said they know where to find help in managing online risks, and 49 percent and 58 percent respectively said they are very confident in their ability to handle online risks.
Microsoft has been producing online safety resources for the last 15 years, and working with others to create additional materials. We thought it might be useful to “map” some of those resources to the risks highlighted in our survey. We’ve included several Microsoft resources and highlighted some great pieces of information from others. That new resource can be found here.
Sharing best practices
As we inspire a movement to unite and grow a culture of digital civility, we again share some best practices for all stakeholders. Indeed, technology companies large and small, law- and policy-makers, educators and school officials, parents, young people and members of civil society all have a role to play in fostering online experiences that start with empathy and highlight inclusion and respect. In addition to these, we share the new manifesto for life online from our inaugural Council for Digital Good.
Partnering with others
These actions are the building blocks for the kind of postive and inclusive online communities we want to build. We thank our partners who have taken up the digital civility banner and are launching their own initiatives rooted in this universal message of treating each other with respect and dignity. Thanks to NoBully.org, the International Bullying Prevention Association, National Cyber Security Alliance, the organisers and affiliates of international Safer Internet Day, UNICEF and the Anti-Defamation League, to name just a few. We are eager to build momentum for additional projects and programmes in 2018 and beyond.
We hope you’ll get involved this Safer Internet Day and become an advocate for digital civility today and every day. Our website and resources page offer advice and guidance for exploring and handling almost any online safety situation.
For more regular news and information, you can connect with us on Facebook and Twitter. Remember to recommit to the Digital Civility Challenge, and here’s to a year of safe, healthy and productive online interactions!
