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Beyond Likes (2024)

A national US study exploring the impact of cyberbullying on mental health.

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17
Questions

The number of questions asked

16+
Demographic

The age of respondents

1009
Respondents

The number of participants

US
Territory

The region of the research

Have you ever been bullied or harassed on social media?

30% of respondents said they have been bullied or harassed on social media.

Respondents selected a single option

“Beyond Likes 2024 tells us that almost a third of social media users have experienced online abuse and 10% have contemplated suicide due to negative experiences. It's hard to believe we tolerate this level of risk and pain for ourselves and our children.”

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Dr. Deborah GilboaCybersmile Advisory Panel

Overview

Beyond Likes 2024 is a national US study exploring the impact that cyberbullying has on the mental health of social media users. The report asked 1000 adults aged 16+ across the US a number of questions relating to their experiences of cyberbullying, both as targets and bystanders, and how those experiences impacted their mental health and self-image.

Key Takeaways

  • 88% felt that cyberbullying is a serious issue
  • 70% felt that cyberbullying should be a criminal offense across all states
  • 60% knew someone who had experienced cyberbullying
  • 60% of those who had experienced cyberbullying or harassment said it negatively affected their mental health
  • 55% had seen someone else cyberbullied or harassed
  • 51% wanted to see improved reporting on social media to better address cyberbullying
  • 32% said the fear of cyberbullying had stopped them from sharing selfies, expressing themselves, or trying new things
  • 30% of those who had personally experienced cyberbullying or harassment said it made them feel self-hatred
  • 30% had been bullied or harassed on social media
  • 25% had deleted a social post due to cyberbullying or harassment
  • 23% felt that social media had made them unsatisfied with their own lives
  • 11% had wanted to change their appearance through surgery due to cyberbullying
  • 10% had considered self-harm or suicide due to being cyberbullied or harassed

Method

The research was conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Cybersmile across the United States with nationally representative sample of 1,000 general respondents who were social media users (aged 16+) between 04.18.2024 and 04.29.2024.

Citation

The Cybersmile Foundation (2024). Beyond Likes Report (2024): A national US study exploring the impact of cyberbullying on social media users mental health.