{"id":120635,"date":"2020-11-13T23:19:25","date_gmt":"2020-11-13T23:19:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.microsoft.com\/?p=439948"},"modified":"2020-11-13T23:19:25","modified_gmt":"2020-11-13T23:19:25","slug":"microsoft-study-online-risks-that-sow-hate-and-division-are-growing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sickgaming.net\/blog\/2020\/11\/13\/microsoft-study-online-risks-that-sow-hate-and-division-are-growing\/","title":{"rendered":"Microsoft study: Online risks that sow hate and division are growing"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Online fraud, hate speech, discrimination and other divisive online risks are on the rise globally, according to results of a new Microsoft study. We\u2019re releasing these findings in conjunction with World Kindness Day in an effort to turn that tide and encourage safer, more empathetic and tolerant online interactions among all people.<\/p>\n

Some 31% of respondents in 32 countries1<\/sup><\/a> say they\u2019ve been exposed to hoaxes, scams and fraud online, up two percentage points from last year, and up three percentage points since the fraud risk was first included in this study in 2017. Meanwhile, one in five respondents (20%) say they\u2019ve been the target of hate speech online, and 15% say they\u2019ve experienced discrimination. These latter two risks are up four and five percentage points, respectively, since the survey began in 2016. All three risks are at their highest levels on record for this research.<\/p>\n

Strangers and people whom respondents say they know online only continue to be the primary sources of digital risk \u2013 a theme that has prevailed since 2016. In fact, anonymous bullying-type behaviors jumped in this latest poll. Among those respondents who said they had been subjected to bullying, harassment or mean and cruel treatment online \u00ad\u2013 33%, 47% and 37%, respectively \u2013 said those behaviors were exhibited by strangers. Still, risks from those identified as \u201cfriends\u201d have been inching steadily higher, as well. This year, 22% of respondents said risks were perpetrated by friends, compared to 13% four years ago when 14 countries were included in the research.<\/p>\n

The findings are from Microsoft\u2019s latest research into aspects of digital civility \u2013 encouraging safer, healthier and more respectful online interactions. The study, Civility, Safety and Interaction Online \u2013 2020, surveyed teens ages 13-17 and adults ages 18-74 about their exposure to 212<\/sup><\/a> different online risks. This latest research builds on similar studies undertaken each year since 2016. Previous years\u2019 projects polled the same demographics in 14, 22, 23, and 25 countries, respectively. In total, 16,051 individuals participated in this latest installment, and we\u2019ve polled more than 58,000 people over the last five years. Complete results will be made available in conjunction with international Safer Internet Day on February 9.<\/p>\n

At that time, we\u2019ll also release the latest Microsoft Digital Civility Index, a gauge that looks at the state of online civility in each individual geography, as well as in all 32 combined. The index, which stood at 70 last year, is an indication of the perceived level of civility in that country. The index works like a golf score: A lower reading equates to a higher level of perceived civility among respondents in that country. The 2019 worldwide Digital Civility Index reading was the highest on record thus far for this research and reflects responses from survey participants in 25 countries. (Read more about the 2019 worldwide index and survey here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

Take the Digital Civility Challenge<\/strong><\/p>\n

As done since the start of this research, we\u2019re encouraging people around the world to take our Digital Civility Challenge<\/a> and pledge to live by four basic tenets for life online:<\/p>\n