State of Play report cover

The State of Play (2021)

Partner: Colgate

A national US report exploring the impact of identity-based cyberbullying on Gen Z.

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21

Questions

The number of questions asked

16-24

Demographic

The age of respondents

1096

Respondents

The number of participants

US

Territory

The region of the research

Have you ever seen somebody else targeted with online bullying, abuse or harassment?

86% of respondents said they had seen someone targeted with online bullying, abuse or harassment.

Respondents selected a single option

Have you ever seen somebody targeted with online abuse based on their skin tone?

73% of respondents said they had seen someone abused online for their skin tone.

Respondents selected a single option

How do you feel when you see somebody targeted with online abuse based on their skin tone?

30% of respondents said they felt angry when seeing somebody abused online for their skin tone.

Respondents selected a single option

Have you ever seen somebody targeted with online abuse based on their racial or ethnic identity?

78% of respondents said they had seen someone abused online for their racial or ethnic identity.

Respondents selected a single option

How do you feel when you see somebody targeted with online abuse based on their racial or ethnic identity?

32% of respondents said they felt angry when seeing somebody abused online for their racial or ethnic identity.

Respondents selected a single option

Have you ever seen somebody targeted with online abuse based on their gender identity?

78% of respondents said they had seen someone abused online for their gender identity.

Respondents selected a single option

How do you feel when you see somebody targeted with online abuse based on their gender identity?

23% of respondents said they felt upset when seeing somebody abused online for their gender identity.

Respondents selected a single option

Have you ever seen somebody targeted with online abuse based on their sexual identity?

79% of respondents said they had seen someone abused online for their sexual identity.

Respondents selected a single option

How do you feel when you see somebody targeted with online abuse based on their sexual identity?

22% of respondents said they felt angry when seeing somebody abused online for their sexual identity.

Respondents selected a single option

Have you ever seen somebody targeted with online abuse for their religious beliefs?

74% of respondents said they had seen someone abused online for their religious beliefs.

Respondents selected a single option

How do you feel when you see somebody targeted with online abuse for their religious beliefs?

23% of respondents said they felt upset when seeing somebody abused online for their religious beliefs.

Respondents selected a single option

Have you ever seen somebody targeted with online abuse based on their perceived physical or mental ableness?

73% of respondents said they had seen somebody abused online for their perceived physical or mental ableness.

Respondents selected a single option

How do you feel when you see somebody targeted with online abuse based on their perceived physical or mental ableness?

27% of respondents said they felt angry when seeing somebody abused online for their perceived physical or mental ableness.

Respondents selected a single option

Have you ever seen somebody targeted with online abuse based on their physical appearance?

90% of respondents said they had seen somebody abused online for their physical appearance.

Respondents selected a single option

How do you feel when you see somebody targeted with online abuse based on their physical appearance?

23% of respondents said they felt upset when seeing somebody abused online for their physical appearance.

Respondents selected a single option

Have you ever seen somebody targeted with online abuse for expressing their opinion?

87% of respondents said they had seen somebody abused online for expressing their opinion.

Respondents selected a single option

How do you feel when you see somebody targeted with online abuse for expressing their opinion?

21% of respondents said they felt upset when seeing somebody abused online for expressing their opinion.

Respondents selected a single option

Have you ever seen somebody targeted with online abuse for how they express their individuality or identity?

74% of respondents said they had seen someone abused online for expressing their individuality or identity.

Respondents selected a single option

How do you feel when you see somebody targeted with online abuse for how they express their individuality or identity?

22% of respondents said they felt upset when seeing somebody abused online for expressing their individuality or identity.

Respondents selected a single option

Do you think you will be motivated to act as a result of seeing someone bullied, abused, or harassed online?

89% of respondents said they would be motivated to act as a result of seeing someone bullied, abused, or harassed online.

Respondents selected a single option

Do you know how to best help when someone is being abused online?

44% of respondents said they had some idea how to best help someone being abused online.

Respondents selected a single option

“At CO. by Colgate, we envision a world where everyone can express themselves freely and that's why we're proud to partner with The Cybersmile Foundation on The State of Play Report.”

Dana MedemaVice President & General Manager, Oral Care, Colgate

Overview

State of Play 2021 is a national US study focusing on the prevalence and emotional impact of identity-based cyberbullying on Gen Z. The study asked a total of 1,096 respondents, between the ages of 16 and 24, a series of 22 questions relating to their own experiences online in relation to identity-based bullying and abuse. Respondents were asked to share their experiences of identity-based bullying as bystanders and how these experiences affected them. Identity groups present in the study included racial or ethnic, gender, sexual, religious beliefs, perceived physical and mental ability, physical appearance, skin tone, personal opinion, and expression of individuality.

To mark the launch of the report, we hosted a roundtable event to discuss the findings coinciding with National Bullying Prevention Month, featuring 13 Reasons Why actress Alisha Boe and our resident wellbeing and parenting expert, Dr. Deborah Gilboa.

Key Takeaways

  • 62% had been targeted with online bullying or abuse
  • 87% had seen someone targeted with online bullying or abuse
  • 90% had seen someone bullied online based on their physical appearance
  • 78% had seen someone bullied online for their racial or ethnic identity
  • 78% had seen someone bullied online for their gender identity
  • 73% had seen someone bullied online for their perceived physical or mental ability
  • 74% had seen someone bullied online for expressing their individuality or identity
  • 73% had seen someone bullied online based on their skin tone
  • 79% had seen someone bullied online based on their sexual identity
  • 74% had seen someone bullied online for their religious beliefs
  • 87% had seen someone bullied online for expressing their opinion

Method

The research was conducted by Perksy on behalf of Cybersmile across all 50 states with 1,000 general respondents who were social media users (aged 16–24) between 06.03.2021 and 06.04.2021.

Citation

The Cybersmile Foundation (2021). The State of Play Report (2021): A national Cybersmile report exploring the prevalence and emotional impact of identity-based cyberbullying on Gen Z in the US.