The majority of teenagers who use social networking websites say their peers are mostly kind to one another online, but 88% still say they've witnessed people being mean and cruel on such sites, according to a new study. Fifteen percent say they've been the target of bad behavior on social media sites.
The findings come from a report called "Teens, Kindness and Cruelty on Social Network Sites: How American teens navigate the new world of 'digital citizenship,'" which is based on seven focus groups with teens and a survey of 799 youths 12 to 17 and their parents.
The study, conducted by Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project, found that social media use is widespread among teens, with 95% of 12- to 17-year-olds using the Internet. Of those, 80% use social media sites.
When it comes to bad conduct online, 80% of teen social media users say they have defended a victim of meanness and cruelty and 79% said they have told someone to stop mean behavior on a social network site. However, 21% said they have joined in on the harassment.
"Social networking sites have created new spaces for teens to interact, and they witness a mixture of altruism and cruelty," said Amanda Lenhart, the study’s lead author. "For most teens, these are exciting and rewarding spaces. But the majority have also seen a darker side."
Teens said they received advice about online safety from a variety of people. Parents are the top source, with 86% of teens saying they have received advice from their parents about how to use the Internet safely and responsibly, and 70% have received advice from a teacher or other adult at school.
Teens report that parents are also the biggest influence on shaping what they think is appropriate or inappropriate behavior when going online or using a cellphone. At the same time, 18% of teens say that no one has influenced them about their attitudes toward online behavior.
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