Risky communication online
Publication details
| Issued: | 2011 |
| Language: | English |
| Editors: | |
| Authors: | Livingstone S.; Ólafsson K. |
| Type: | Short report |
| Topics: | Risks and harms; Online safety and policy regulation; Internet usage, practices and engagement |
| Sample: | EU Kids Online conducted a face-to-face, in home survey of 25,000 9-16 year old internet users and their parents in 25 countries, using a stratified random sample and self-completion methods for sensitive questions. |
Abstract
Which European 11-16 year olds who use the internet say, “I find it easier to be myself on the internet than when I am with people face-to-face”?
-37% say this is ‘a bit true’ for them, both girls and boys, of all ages from 11-16.
-12% say it is ‘very true’ for them, and they are:
--more likely to have problems with their peers, suggesting that they are seeking online relationships to compensate for offline ones;
--more likely to look for new friends online, to ‘add’ people or send personal information to
people that they haven’t met face to face, or to pretend to be a different kind of person.
While most children enjoy communicating online, for those with peer problems offline, internet use may increase risky communication online.
Outcome
-Half of European 11-16 year olds find it easier to be themselves online than offline.
-1 in 8 find that statement to be 'very true'
-Nearly half (45%) talk about different things on the internet than when speaking to people face-to-face
-Peer problems are strongly associated with an increased likelihood of saying it's 'very true' that 'I find it easier to be myself on the internet'
-"Those who say it is ‘very true’ that it is easier to be oneself online than offline are more likely to undertake several types of risky communication" (Livingstone & Ólafsson, 2011, p. 3)