Banter or Bullying? 2019 is a national UK study exploring the complex relationship between banter and bullying in the UK. The study asked 3001 respondents, aged 13–18, a series of questions to share their thoughts on the fine line between banter and bullying while exploring the effects of banter on the wider online community. How banter is perceived, experienced, and used by young people was all explored as part of the project.
Which of the following best describes how you would define the term 'Banter'?
49% of respondents said that the term 'banter' was best described as "a friendly way to make fun of people which is not serious or offensive."
How do you feel about banter?
64% of respondents said that they either 'loved' or 'liked' banter.
Do you think calling something 'banter' is sometimes used as an excuse for bullying?
51% of respondents that were asked if they think calling something 'banter' is sometimes used as an excuse for bullying answered yes.
Do you think that there is a clear difference between banter and bullying?
65% of respondents said there was a clear difference between banter and bullying, with only 21% saying there wasn't, and just 14% saying they didn't know.
When do you think the line is crossed from banter to bullying?
35% of respondents said that the line is crossed from banter to bullying "when people tell me I've gone too far."
Do you personally feel you understand the difference between banter and bullying?
81% of respondents said they felt they understood the difference between banter and bullying.
Have you ever personally been left upset or insulted by banter?
48% of respondents said they had personally been left upset or insulted by banter on at least one occasion.
Have you ever noticed somebody else be left upset or insulted by banter?
66% of respondents said that they had noticed somebody else left upset or insulted by banter on at least one occasion.
Have you ever been offended or upset after witnessing banter as a bystander?
44% said they had been offended or upset after witnessing banter as a bystander on at least one occasion.
How often do you see others left upset or insulted by banter?
39% of respondents said that they had seen it at least once a week.
Have you ever excused a bullying interaction made by yourself as banter?
85% of respondents said they had never excused a bullying interaction made by themselves as banter.
“Banter should never be used as an excuse for bullying. We're working hard to empower people to tackle bullying behaviour on Instagram, whether that's restricting a bully from seeing when you're online, or giving you the option to post Stories to Close Friends only.”
EMEA Policy Programmes Manager, Instagram
Overview
Key Takeaways
- 49% said the term 'banter' was best described as "a friendly way to make fun of people which is not serious or offensive"
- 64% of respondents said they either 'loved' or 'liked' banter
- 51% of respondents that were asked if they think calling something 'banter' is sometimes used as an excuse for bullying answered yes
- 65% felt there was a clear difference between banter and bullying
- 35% said that the line is crossed from banter to bullying "when people tell me I've gone too far."
- 71% said that the line is crossed from banter to bullying "when it makes people feel scared or intimidated"
- 81% felt they understood the difference between banter and bullying
- 48% had personally been left upset or insulted by banter on at least one occasion
- 66% had noticed somebody else left upset or insulted by banter on at least one occasion
- 44% had been offended or upset after witnessing banter as a bystander on at least one occasion
- 85% said they had never excused a bullying interaction made by themselves as banter
Method
The research was conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Cybersmile across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland with 3,000 general respondents (aged 13–18) who were social media users between 28.10.2019 and 05.11.2019. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society, which is based on the ESOMAR principles, and is a member of The British Polling Council.
Citation
The Cybersmile Foundation (2019). Banter or Bullying Report (2019): A national Cybersmile report exploring the relationship between banter and bullying among young people in the UK.