Over 70% of South African teens experience online risk

A new Microsoft report has revealed 77% of South African teens talked to someone to get support after experiencing online risk, and reported behaviour increased for the second consecutive year. Despite teens’ exposure to risk rising again, they have demonstrated striking resilience, according to the report. Following Safer Internet Day this week, Microsoft released itsannual Global Online Safety Surveyon Wednesday.

This year marks the 10th year Microsoft has invested in surveying teens and adults around the world about their experiences and perceptions of life online, with questions focusing on the complexity of the digital environment and evolving online safety risks. Kerissa Varma, Chief Security Advisor at Microsoft Africa, said safety isn’t an afterthought. “At a time when 96% of South Africans surveyed tell us they worry about the harms introduced by AI, this commitment has never been more important, especially for our youngest users.” This year’s findings highlight the complexity of the digital environment young people now inhabit.

It showed that 79% of respondents experienced at least one significant online risk in the past year. “The number one worry for most age groups is online fraud and scams, including 39% of Gen X and Boomers, while teens are most concerned about cyberbullying (45%). “Teens’ exposure to risk rose again, with hate speech (50%), online fraud/scams (44%), and graphic violence/gore (42%) among the most commonly experienced harms,” the report read.

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Microsoft’s data revealed that generative AI is being adopted rapidly, but concerns are also rising. “The findings show that excitement about generative AI capabilities increased over the past year. The survey found that 55% of respondents are AI users, 17% are experimenters, and 28% are non-users, with South Africa ranking just behind India, Brazil and South Korea in generative AI adoption.”

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