A January 2024 survey of adults in the United Kingdom (UK) found that nearly six in ten adults ignored suspicious posts on social media or deleted them. A further 52 percent said they blocked the account or the number, and only 37 percent stated having reported such activity on social media platforms.
Actions taken by adults in the United Kingdom (UK) after spotting suspicious posts on social media as of January 2024
Characteristic
Share of respondents
Ignored/deleted it
59%
Blocked the number/account
52%
Reported it
37%
Told friends/family about it
17%
Checked to see if the number/account is real (e.g. Google search/elsewhere)
17%
Clicked on the link but then realised it was suspicious and didn't do as instructed
10%
Engaged with the scammer (e.g. talked over a call/sent them a message)
4%
Can't remeber
3%
Don't know
2%
Clicked on the link and then did as instructed by the message/person (e.g. called the number shown/provided bank details)
Original question: "Thinking about when you've received suspicious [type of suspicious content/contact]...Which, if any, of the following actions have you taken as a result? (Please select all that apply) Suspicious posts on social media (e.g. Facebook, X, (formerly Twitter) Instagram etc.)Â
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Ofcom, & YouGov. (January 31, 2024). Actions taken by adults in the United Kingdom (UK) after spotting suspicious posts on social media as of January 2024 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 19, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1546862/uk-adults-actions-taken-suspicious-post-social-media/
Ofcom, und YouGov. "Actions taken by adults in the United Kingdom (UK) after spotting suspicious posts on social media as of January 2024." Chart. January 31, 2024. Statista. Accessed December 19, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1546862/uk-adults-actions-taken-suspicious-post-social-media/
Ofcom, YouGov. (2024). Actions taken by adults in the United Kingdom (UK) after spotting suspicious posts on social media as of January 2024. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 19, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1546862/uk-adults-actions-taken-suspicious-post-social-media/
Ofcom, and YouGov. "Actions Taken by Adults in The United Kingdom (Uk) after Spotting Suspicious Posts on Social Media as of January 2024." Statista, Statista Inc., 31 Jan 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1546862/uk-adults-actions-taken-suspicious-post-social-media/
Ofcom & YouGov, Actions taken by adults in the United Kingdom (UK) after spotting suspicious posts on social media as of January 2024 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1546862/uk-adults-actions-taken-suspicious-post-social-media/ (last visited December 19, 2024)
Actions taken by adults in the United Kingdom (UK) after spotting suspicious posts on social media as of January 2024 [Graph], Ofcom, & YouGov, January 31, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1546862/uk-adults-actions-taken-suspicious-post-social-media/
