Hostile online behaviour common in young people, study shows
A large proportion of young people are getting involved in bullying or insulting behaviour online, according to a new study.
Research from the thinktank Demos has surveyed 668 16 to 18-year-olds via Facebook, finding that 26 per cent of young people have bullied or insulted someone online, while 15 per cent have been involved with trolling a public figure.
Boys were shown to be significantly more likely to take part in this kind of hostile behaviour than girls, with many participating due to the fact that any abuse they receive is publicly viewable, making them feel compelled to respond in an aggressive way.
Conversely, the survey also showed that 88 per cent of young people have given emotional support to a friend on social networking sites, while 51 per cent have posted about a political or social cause that they care about.
Although some of the figures suggest a cause for concern, the report cautioned against teachers and other authority figures taking an overly restrictive response in trying to curtail social media use, as this can result in more covert risky behaviour, or depriving the individual from experiencing the more positive aspects of social media. Instead, a focus on building empathy and self-control among students may be a more productive avenue.
Peter Harrison-Evans, researcher at Demos, said: "It's here that we feel policymakers, schools and parents can make the biggest difference - empowering young people to make a positive contribution to their online communities by building their social digital skills and increasing their online moral sensitivity."
As such, Demos has called for the Department for Education to place a renewed focus on initiatives that build moral character and digital citizenship, allowing schools to give their students a strong grounding in the moral implications of online social networking.
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£130 - 170 per day
Location free text
County Durham
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Durham
Description
Supply Teacher – County DurhamASAP start, £140 to £170 per day, ECTs and PGCE students welcome.I'm recruiting Supply Teachers for secondary schools across County Durham and I want to hear from ECTs an
Reference
IJDSTECT2026
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees SecondaryAuthor
Tyne Tees SecondarySalary
£170 - 251 per day + CPD Academy
Location free text
Middlesbrough
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Physical Education
Location
Middlesbrough
Description
PE Teacher – Middlesbrough Start Date: September 2026Contract: Full Time Pay: £170–£251 per day (dependent on experience)Are you passionate about sport and inspiring young people to achieve their be
Reference
MM223242
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees SecondaryAuthor
Tyne Tees SecondarySalary
£32,898 - 49,908 per year + CPD Academy
Location free text
Redcar
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£30,000 - £39,999
£40,000 - £49,999
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
English
Location
Redcar and Cleveland
Description
English Teachers - Full-time position from September Location: Redcar, Secondary School Roles: Long-Term, English teaching position Pay: Paid to scale in line with MPS/UPSAre you a dedicated English
Reference
ENGBIS232
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees SecondaryAuthor
Tyne Tees SecondarySalary
£3,079.60 - 4,239.20 per month
Location free text
Exeter
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Religious Studies
Location
Devon
Description
Humanities Teacher (RE Preferred) – Exeter Full-Time| Teaching PersonnelTeaching Personnel are working in partnership with a welcoming secondary school in the Exeter area to recruit an enthusiastic an
Reference
JDHUMEX
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Exeter BranchAuthor
Exeter BranchSalary
£844.00 - 1,303.90 per week
Location free text
Teesside
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£750 - £1,249 per week
£1,250 and above
Sector
Business
Location
Teesside
Description
Business Studies Teacher – Secondary Schools (Teesside) Start Date: September 2026 Contract: Ad-hoc (Agency) Location: Teesside Pay: Competitive – aligned with experience and teachers’ pay scaleThe R
Reference
KWBSTT
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees SecondaryAuthor
Tyne Tees SecondarySalary
£162 - 260 per day
Location free text
Gateshead
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Science
Location
Gateshead
Description
Science Teacher | Location: Gateshead | Start: September | Contract: Full-Time, TemporaryAbout the Role Are you a passionate and dedicated Science Teacher looking for your next opportunity? We’re cur
Reference
JR4857955
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees SecondaryAuthor
Tyne Tees SecondarySalary
£95 - 120 per day
Location free text
Bury
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £100 per day
£100 - £199 per day
£10 - £19 per hour
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Greater Manchester
Description
Cover Supervisor – Full Time Location: Bury, Greater Manchester Contract: Full time, Monday to FridayWe are currently recruiting for a full-time Cover Supervisor to support within a specialist secon
Reference
4covsup8
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
£162 - 260 per day
Location free text
Northumberland
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Modern foreign languages
Location
Northumberland
Description
Modern Foreign Languages Teacher Location: Northumberland Contract: Full-time Start Date: September 2026 (or sooner if available)We are delighted to be recruiting a committed and inspiring Teacher
Reference
JR239058205
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Tyne Tees SecondaryAuthor
Tyne Tees SecondarySalary
£125 - 140 per day
Location free text
Poole
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Secondary
Location
Poole
Description
Head of English – Immediate Start Location: Poole Pay: Competitive salary dependent on experience Contract: Full-time, Temporary/Permanent Start Date: ImmediateTeaching Personnel are curr
Reference
headofengpoole
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset & Hants SecondaryAuthor
Dorset & Hants SecondarySalary
£125 - 140 per day
Location free text
Bournemouth
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Secondary
Location
Bournemouth
Description
Head of English – Immediate Start Location: Bournemouth Pay: Competitive salary dependent on experience Contract: Full-time, Temporary/Permanent Start Date: ImmediateTeaching Personnel ar
Reference
headofenglish
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Dorset & Hants SecondaryAuthor
Dorset & Hants SecondaryRelated posts
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD05YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel marks 30 years, Danielle shares her experience of building a career with the company over the past 11 years. She's completed an apprenticeship, managed a branch and w
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
Patrick highlights a decade of his work as Teaching Personnel celebrates a milestone of 10 years.He's built relationships with schools and his own management style to successfully run a branch
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel celebrates 30 years, we hear from Senior Branch Manager, Hannah James, who reflects on her time with us these past 11 years. The impact we have on our schools and educat
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel marks 30 years, Vicky shares her experience of building a career with the company over the past 11 years.She joined as a trainee recruitment consultant and has become an
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
As we celebrate 30 years of making difference, get to know Rebecca who has worked at Teaching Personnel for nearly a decade. Being able to support schools and help place the right educators
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
As Teaching Personnel celebrates its 30-year anniversary, Jenny reflects on a decade of working at Teaching Personnel.From starting as a teaching assistant to overseeing multiple branches, her
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
Gemma joined the Future Teachers Programme shortly after graduating. Now in a permanent teaching position, she reflects on how the programme shaped her classroom experience and supp
Teaser
People & CultureContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
Discover Ben Whittle’s role and find out about his impact within the Future Teachers Programme Read more How long have you been with Teaching Personnel and where are
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
What motivated you to join the Future Teachers Programme? I was first motivated to join the programme when I was looking for different pathways into teaching that wasn’t the PGCE route. I was look
Teaser
Awareness DaysContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD04YY
Summary
National Teaching Assistants’ Day is a chance to recognise the incredible impact teaching assistants have in classrooms every day. From supporting individual pupils to hel
Register with us
for work in schools across England & Wales
Register today
Recent job