Awareness of internet hoaxes worldwide 2021

According to a 2021 global online survey, 81 percent of teens and parents, and 84 percent of teachers are aware of online hoaxes. Whilst 77 percent of teens became aware of hoaxes via social media, 56 percent became aware through mainstream media. In addition, 31 percent of teens said that exposure to internet hoaxes had a negative impact and 17 percent said that it had a positive impact. Of respondents who claimed that it had a negative impact, 63 percent of those said that it impacted their mental health. Potentially dangerous online challenges and hoaxes are on the rise across all forms of social media platforms.

Share of teens, parents and teachers worldwide who say they are aware of online hoaxes in 2021

Characteristic	Teens	Parents	Teachers
Are aware of internet hoaxes	81%	81%	84%
Became aware of hoaxes via social media	77%	74%	77%
Became aware of hoaxes via mainstream media	56%	68%	64%

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Release date

November 2021

More information

Region

Worldwide

Survey time period

2021

Number of respondents

10,900 respondents

Age group

13 years and older

Method of interview

Online survey

Supplementary notes

According to the source: "Research consisted of an online survey completed by 5,400 teens (including 1,800 13-15 year-olds, 1,800 16-17 year olds and 1,800 18-19 year-olds). The survey was also completed by 4,500 parents of teens and 1,000 educators giving a total sample size of 10,900 people worldwide. The sample was drawn from the UK, the US, Germany, Australia, Italy, Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia, Vietnam and Argentina."

"Online hoaxes, sometimes known as pranks or scams, are tricks that are created to make someone believe something frightening, but which isn’t true. They can be quite extreme as they are created to cause panic."

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