A 2023 survey among internet users in the United Kingdom (UK) found that around 70 percent of the respondents had encountered at least one type of the selected negative online experiences. Almost half of the respondents received a suspected scam e-mail or text message encouraging them to enter personal or financial information. A further 31 percent claimed seeing anything offensive or inappropriate online.
Share of internet users in the United Kingdom (UK) having encountered negative online experiences in 2023
Characteristic
Share of respondents
Received suspected scam e-mail or scam text message encoursaging you to enter personal or financial information
44%
Seen anything offensive or inappropriate online
31%
Online contact from someone who was pretending to be someone else
19%
Notification that your personal data (such as e-mail address or password) has been compromised due to a data leak or breach
18%
Your e-mail or social media account being hacked (someone accessing your account without your permission)
10%
Any form of online bullying/ harrassment/ trolling
8%
Lost money online (got scammed or ripped off)
8%
A computer virus on any device you use to go online
7%
Your financial or other personal information being stolen and/or used online without your permission or knowledge
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Ofcom. (January 18, 2024). Share of internet users in the United Kingdom (UK) having encountered negative online experiences in 2023 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 31, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/708104/experiences-of-negative-online-activity-among-internet-users-in-the-uk/
Ofcom. "Share of internet users in the United Kingdom (UK) having encountered negative online experiences in 2023." Chart. January 18, 2024. Statista. Accessed December 31, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/708104/experiences-of-negative-online-activity-among-internet-users-in-the-uk/
Ofcom. (2024). Share of internet users in the United Kingdom (UK) having encountered negative online experiences in 2023. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 31, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/708104/experiences-of-negative-online-activity-among-internet-users-in-the-uk/
Ofcom. "Share of Internet Users in The United Kingdom (Uk) Having Encountered Negative Online Experiences in 2023." Statista, Statista Inc., 18 Jan 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/708104/experiences-of-negative-online-activity-among-internet-users-in-the-uk/
Ofcom, Share of internet users in the United Kingdom (UK) having encountered negative online experiences in 2023 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/708104/experiences-of-negative-online-activity-among-internet-users-in-the-uk/ (last visited December 31, 2024)
Share of internet users in the United Kingdom (UK) having encountered negative online experiences in 2023 [Graph], Ofcom, January 18, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/708104/experiences-of-negative-online-activity-among-internet-users-in-the-uk/
