Microsoft Reveals Digital Civility Index Findings

Microsoft has released the findings of its Digital Civility Index (DCI), an index of how civil we are online, which shows that Ireland currently ranks 12th out of 25 countries by the level of civility and safety in online interactions, compared to the UK which ranked first and the Netherlands ranking second.

The research was conducted amongst adults and teenagers with an objective of putting a spotlight on the darker side of the Internet and illustrate how it can harm adults and youth. The research was conducted amongst 12,520 teens and adults in 25 countries including Ireland. In Ireland, a sample of 500 were surveyed.

Physical appearance and religion are the primary drivers of online incivility, with 61% of all respondents in Ireland pointing to both of these two topics as problematic. Sexual orientation was close behind at 26%, while politics and race came in at 21% and 26% respectively.

The five most painful risks online were identified as cyberbullying at 78% with 76% citing damage to personal reputation and 73% to professional reputation. 66% identified online harassment and 64% said misogyny was the most painful online risk.

53% of all surveyed said they had met the perpetrator of their online risk in real life. 66% of teens said they have experienced an online risk with 63% worrying that risk will happen again. Millennials are the most at-risk group and 81% of women feel online risk is a bigger problem compared with 67% of men.

In addition, more so than in previous studies, respondents reported experiencing risks recently and more frequently. For instance, 35% said they’d been exposed to a risk in the last week or month prior to the study being fielded, and just over three-quarters (78%) experienced one of the 21 risks on two or more occasions. Unfortunately, 89% of all respondents said they’d suffered pain from online risks.

Cathriona Hallahan, Managing Director, Microsoft Ireland said: “The internet is a wonderful resource opening up a world of opportunities for people of all ages. However, our Digital Civility Index is a timely reminder around Safer Internet Day that we cannot take it for granted that everyone, including our young people, have a positive and safe experience online.

“At Microsoft, we believe in the need for young people to engage with technology in a safe and secure way. Through the Index released today, we can promote responsible online practices that protect people of all ages.”

While negative consequences for teenagers remain high, this year our research found some positive trends with a substantial increase in teenagers turning to adults for support. 46% or Irish teenagers sought help from their parents, while 66% know where to find help. The more we educate young people about internet safety; the more teenagers will ask for help to deal with online risks.”

To coincide with the release of the research findings Microsoft highlighted its Digital Civility Challenge: four common-sense principles for safer, healthier and more respectful online interactions. Everyone can commit to the challenge actions and pledge to adopt positive online habits and practices throughout the year. The challenge tenets are:

— Live the Golden Rule by acting with empathy, compassion and kindness in every interaction, and treat everyone you connect with online with dignity and respect

— Respect differences, honour diverse perspectives and when disagreements surface, engage thoughtfully, and avoid name-calling and personal attacks

— Pause before replying to things you disagree with, and don’t post or send anything that could hurt someone else, damage a reputation or threaten someone’s safety

— Stand up for yourself and others by supporting those who are targets of online abuse or cruelty, reporting threatening activity and preserving evidence of inappropriate or unsafe behaviour.

For more on Microsoft’s Digital Civility Challenge log onto Microsoft.com/digital-civility.