The Wireless Report: Key Cyber Bullying and Sexting Statistics
Welcome to The Wireless Report 2014, one of the UK’s most comprehensive reports into the ways in which young people aged 13-25 are currently engaging with and abusing smartphone technology. This report uncovers new facts and figures surrounding the rates of young people engaging in sexting and the distribution of naked imagery, along with abuse received and reported on some of the most popular smartphone exclusive social network apps.
Taken from a sample of over 1,000 young people from across the United Kingdom, this report includes key advice and recommendations tailored for young people, parents and guardians, teaching professionals, Government and social networks. In July 2015, we will be publishing our second edition which invites young people from other countries to take part so that we can create a cross-cultural comparison to identify the impact of culture and geography on behaviours associated with smartphone technologies.
If you are interested in finding out more or would like to work with our national anti-bullying charity, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Headline statistics:
Key Sexting Findings for Ditch the Label’s Wireless Report 2014
- 37% 13 – 25 year olds have sent a naked photo of themselves (63% to a boyfriend/girlfriend and 32% to someone they are attracted to)
- 30% of 15 yr olds have sent a naked photo of themselves at least once
- 15% of 13 & 14 yr olds have sent a naked photo of themselves at least once
- 5% of 13 year olds send naked photos several times a week.
- 24% have sent a naked photo to someone they know only online.
- 24% have had a naked photo shared without their consent.
- 49% believe is just harmless fun.
- 16% said it’s the normal thing to do.
- 13% felt pressurised into doing it.
- Females are twice as likely to send a naked photo of themselves more than once a week than men.
Key Findings on Abuse on Smartphone Social Networking Apps
- 62% have been sent nasty private messages via smartphone apps
- 52% have never reported the abuse they have received.
- 47% have received nasty profile comments
- 40% have received nasty photo comments.
- 42% have received hate-based comments (racism, homophobia etc.)
- 28% have had personal information shared without consent.
- 52% have never reported abuse on smartphone apps
- 26% felt like it wasn’t taken seriously when reported
Behavioural Impact of Smartphone App Abuse
- 49% experienced a loss in confidence as a result of the bullying
- 28% retaliated and sent something abusive back
- 24% turned to self harming as a coping mechanism
- 22% tried to change their appearance to avoid further abuse
- 13% stopped using the app
