Results of ‘Online in Lockdown’ survey released

Date: 6th August 2020
Category: Disability, Basic Health and Welfare

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This report provides insight into the effects of lockdown and enforced social isolation upon children and young people aged 12-24 across Scotland’s 32 local authority areas. The research focussed specifically on emotional wellbeing before and during lockdown, and experiences of online bullying and prejudice during lockdown.

The research found a considerable difference within all key themes (emotional wellbeing, experiences of online bullying, and experiences of online prejudice) across demographics. LGBT+ young people reported a different experience from heterosexual young people, as did girls and young women when compared with boys and young men. In both comparisons, the former groups experienced and/or witnessed higher rates of online bullying and prejudice during lockdown.

From the 1,015 responses:

• 59% of young people witnessed an increase in prejudice-based posts, comments and/or attitudes online.
• 45% of young people witnessed more racism online, while 39% saw an increase in homophobia during lockdown.
• 47% of young people have seen or experienced online bullying during lockdown, with over half reporting that this had been happening more than usual.
• 72% of LGBT+ young people have seen more prejudice online during lockdown, and they reported seeing homophobia at more than double the rate of heterosexual young people.
• 60% of LGBT+ plus young people have seen or experienced online bullying during lockdown, with three quarters reporting that this has been happening more than usual.
• Over half of LGBT+ young people have witnessed homophobia online during lockdown, while 48% have witnessed transphobia and 36% have reported biphobia

Read the report here.