1 IN 3 SINGAPOREAN
TEENS HAVE HAD EXPERIENCE WITH CYBERBULLYING, ACCORDING TO NEW McAFEE “2014
TEENS AND THE SCREEN STUDY”
TEENS HAVE HAD EXPERIENCE WITH CYBERBULLYING, ACCORDING TO NEW McAFEE “2014
TEENS AND THE SCREEN STUDY”
Singapore
youth expose their location and personal data online, with half believing
posted content can be deleted eventually
youth expose their location and personal data online, with half believing
posted content can be deleted eventually
SINGAPORE
– Sep 2, 2014 – McAfee, part of Intel Security, today released Singapore
findings from the company’s 2014 Teens and the Screen study: Exploring Online Privacy, Social
Networking and Cyberbullying in Singapore. The annual study examines the
online behavior and social networking habits of teens and included Singaporean
youth for the first time this year.
– Sep 2, 2014 – McAfee, part of Intel Security, today released Singapore
findings from the company’s 2014 Teens and the Screen study: Exploring Online Privacy, Social
Networking and Cyberbullying in Singapore. The annual study examines the
online behavior and social networking habits of teens and included Singaporean
youth for the first time this year.
The most
significant findings from the study reveal that 1 in 3 Singaporean teens have
had experience with cyberbullying. Out of this number, 61% have witnessed
cyber-bullying of others, with one in three having cyber-bullied others (29%)
or have been cyber-bullied themselves (28%). This behavior was perceived to
result in anger or becoming less social, leading to a broader theme about how
online behavior is impacting their offline lives. The study highlights how
risky online activity can follow them offline and possibly make them even more
susceptible to cyberbullying.
significant findings from the study reveal that 1 in 3 Singaporean teens have
had experience with cyberbullying. Out of this number, 61% have witnessed
cyber-bullying of others, with one in three having cyber-bullied others (29%)
or have been cyber-bullied themselves (28%). This behavior was perceived to
result in anger or becoming less social, leading to a broader theme about how
online behavior is impacting their offline lives. The study highlights how
risky online activity can follow them offline and possibly make them even more
susceptible to cyberbullying.
“Parents
should have an open discussion with their children so they will be better
equipped to keep themselves safe online,” said David Freer, Vice President,
Consumer, APAC, McAfee. Part of Intel Security. “The experience of
cyber-bullying or being cyber-bullied can have a deep and lasting effect on a
child’s identity and life offline.”
should have an open discussion with their children so they will be better
equipped to keep themselves safe online,” said David Freer, Vice President,
Consumer, APAC, McAfee. Part of Intel Security. “The experience of
cyber-bullying or being cyber-bullied can have a deep and lasting effect on a
child’s identity and life offline.”
TOUCH
Cyber Wellness, a pioneer of Cyber Wellness education in Singapore, believes
that it is essential for parents to understand the prevalence of cyberbullying
and learn to detect early signs of it in their children.
Cyber Wellness, a pioneer of Cyber Wellness education in Singapore, believes
that it is essential for parents to understand the prevalence of cyberbullying
and learn to detect early signs of it in their children.
“Victims
of cyberbullying may be ashamed to take the first step in sharing about their
problems with others. Parents should stay relevant and connected to their
children at all times to watch out for possible signs and deal with
cyberbullying in its earlier stages,” said Chong EeJay, Assistant Manager,
TOUCH Cyber Wellness.
of cyberbullying may be ashamed to take the first step in sharing about their
problems with others. Parents should stay relevant and connected to their
children at all times to watch out for possible signs and deal with
cyberbullying in its earlier stages,” said Chong EeJay, Assistant Manager,
TOUCH Cyber Wellness.
TOUCH
Cyber Wellness works closely with youth, educators, and parents to promote a
positive and healthy cyber culture in homes, schools and communities in
Singapore. It is also a key agency that provides counselling on cyber wellness
issues.
Cyber Wellness works closely with youth, educators, and parents to promote a
positive and healthy cyber culture in homes, schools and communities in
Singapore. It is also a key agency that provides counselling on cyber wellness
issues.
Cyberbullying
Despite
significant efforts to discourage cyberbullying, the number of occurrences are notable
with 61% of having experienced cyberbullying or witnessing it happening to
others. Of those who responded that they were cyberbullied, the
majority cited that it was due to appearance and academic achievements.
Compared to other countries, religion, race or sexuality plays a less
significant role in Singapore.
significant efforts to discourage cyberbullying, the number of occurrences are notable
with 61% of having experienced cyberbullying or witnessing it happening to
others. Of those who responded that they were cyberbullied, the
majority cited that it was due to appearance and academic achievements.
Compared to other countries, religion, race or sexuality plays a less
significant role in Singapore.
Of those who witnessed cyberbullying, 43% responded
the victims became
defensive or angry while 57% said the victims deleted their social media
accounts, underscoring its significant emotional impact. While the study
reveals cyberbullying continues to represent a serious problem for youth, the
2014 survey found 41% of youth would
not know what to do if they were harassed or bullied online.
the victims became
defensive or angry while 57% said the victims deleted their social media
accounts, underscoring its significant emotional impact. While the study
reveals cyberbullying continues to represent a serious problem for youth, the
2014 survey found 41% of youth would
not know what to do if they were harassed or bullied online.
“Bystanders
who witnessed cyberbullying often do not speak up as well because they do not
know how to help, or they do not want to get involved due to apathy or fear
that the bullies might turn their attention onto them. Bystanders and victims
should feel empowered in speaking up so that cyberbullying does not become
normalized. Standing up against cyberbullying should be encouraged as a new
norm,” said Chong.
who witnessed cyberbullying often do not speak up as well because they do not
know how to help, or they do not want to get involved due to apathy or fear
that the bullies might turn their attention onto them. Bystanders and victims
should feel empowered in speaking up so that cyberbullying does not become
normalized. Standing up against cyberbullying should be encouraged as a new
norm,” said Chong.
Online
Conflict Driving Offline Consequences
Conflict Driving Offline Consequences
Unfortunately,
the negative experience of cyberbullying does not only exist online. Social
networks are causing the majority of Singapore adolescents to experience
negative situations that ultimately lead to offline arguments. The study found 44%
of youth have been involved in an argument because of something posted on
social media and a further 13% stated the original online altercation led
to a physical fight.
the negative experience of cyberbullying does not only exist online. Social
networks are causing the majority of Singapore adolescents to experience
negative situations that ultimately lead to offline arguments. The study found 44%
of youth have been involved in an argument because of something posted on
social media and a further 13% stated the original online altercation led
to a physical fight.
Not so
Private Lives
Private Lives
In
addition to oversharing feelings, youth also overshare what would be considered
private information publicly, both intentionally and unintentionally. Only 46%
of youth have enabled the privacy settings on their social networking profiles
to protect their content, and 73% do not turn off their location or GPS services
across apps, leaving their locations visible to strangers. Additionally, 34%
have posted their home addresses online.
addition to oversharing feelings, youth also overshare what would be considered
private information publicly, both intentionally and unintentionally. Only 46%
of youth have enabled the privacy settings on their social networking profiles
to protect their content, and 73% do not turn off their location or GPS services
across apps, leaving their locations visible to strangers. Additionally, 34%
have posted their home addresses online.
“When parents, guardians and teachers are
more aware of how the youth behave online, they can better monitor instances of
cyberbullying that may carry over to a child’s offline life,” continued Freer.
“Through this, we can do more to assist young people as they go about their
online activities and avoid cyberbullying from happening.”
more aware of how the youth behave online, they can better monitor instances of
cyberbullying that may carry over to a child’s offline life,” continued Freer.
“Through this, we can do more to assist young people as they go about their
online activities and avoid cyberbullying from happening.”
Other
key findings include:
key findings include:
No Parent Zone:
1 in 5
teens configured
privacy settings to hide content from parents or adults.
teens configured
privacy settings to hide content from parents or adults.
Hide and Don’t Seek: Youth would change their
online behavior if they knew their parents were watching
online behavior if they knew their parents were watching
Although 78% of youth believe their
parents trust them to do what is right online, two-thirds would still
change their online behavior if they knew their parents were watching.
parents trust them to do what is right online, two-thirds would still
change their online behavior if they knew their parents were watching.
Finding Social Acceptance
For many, online approval from digital peers is
not only a form of social currency, it’s also a measure of acceptance with 71% of teens wishing to receive more likes
on photos of themselves and 66% feeling more important or popular when they
receive likes on photos of themselves.
not only a form of social currency, it’s also a measure of acceptance with 71% of teens wishing to receive more likes
on photos of themselves and 66% feeling more important or popular when they
receive likes on photos of themselves.
In fact, almost
half of teens in Singapore (44%) feel more accepted online than in person.
Notably, this sense of acceptance is higher in Singapore than other countries surveyed,
including Australia, and the U.S.
half of teens in Singapore (44%) feel more accepted online than in person.
Notably, this sense of acceptance is higher in Singapore than other countries surveyed,
including Australia, and the U.S.
Privacy Concern
Youth fear their privacy will be compromised (29%)
and fear being hacked (33%) more than they fear being unpopular (7%)
or cyberbullied (7%).
and fear being hacked (33%) more than they fear being unpopular (7%)
or cyberbullied (7%).
Social Regret
34% of youth have regretted something they have
posted online.
34% of youth have regretted something they have
posted online.
Half (51%) believe that they can eventually delete any
content they choose to share – much higher than what other teens surveyed in
other global countries.
Half (51%) believe that they can eventually delete any
content they choose to share – much higher than what other teens surveyed in
other global countries.
Top 5
Tips for Parents to Help Educate Their Kids:
Tips for Parents to Help Educate Their Kids:
1. Connect with your kids. Casually talk
to them about the risks of all online connections and make sure the
communication lines are open.
to them about the risks of all online connections and make sure the
communication lines are open.
2. Gain access. Parents should have
passwords for their children’s social media accounts and passcodes to their
children’s devices to have full access at any given moment.
passwords for their children’s social media accounts and passcodes to their
children’s devices to have full access at any given moment.
3. Learn their technology. Stay one step
ahead and take the time to research the various devices your kids use. You want
to know more about their devices than they do.
ahead and take the time to research the various devices your kids use. You want
to know more about their devices than they do.
4. Get social. Stay knowledgeable about
the newest and latest social networks. You don’t have to create an account but
it is important to understand how they work and if your kids are on them.
the newest and latest social networks. You don’t have to create an account but
it is important to understand how they work and if your kids are on them.
5. Reputation management. Make sure your
kids are aware anything they post online does not have an expiration date.
kids are aware anything they post online does not have an expiration date.
To learn
more, please visit www.mcafeecybered.com:
more, please visit www.mcafeecybered.com:
·
Press
release and infographic: www.mcafeecybered.com/cybered/media.php
Press
release and infographic: www.mcafeecybered.com/cybered/media.php
Quantitative Methodology
The Futures Company conducted a survey among 512 young adult men and women ages
13 to 18. The survey was split evenly among age and gender. The interviews were
conducted from June 25, 2014 thru July 11, 2014.
The Futures Company conducted a survey among 512 young adult men and women ages
13 to 18. The survey was split evenly among age and gender. The interviews were
conducted from June 25, 2014 thru July 11, 2014.
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