Harmful Sexual Behaviours Online
The Scottish Government and Young Scot have been partnering since 2019 to learn more about young people’s knowledge of and opinions about sexual behaviours occurring online. This is part of ongoing work following publication of the report of the Expert Group on Preventing Sexual Offending Involving Children and Young People, and follows the original survey work published in February 2020.
This survey explored four distinct issues:
Personal safety online
Education about sexual issues
Reporting and support
Effect of the coronavirus outbreak on online experience
You can scroll through a preview of our report, download a full pdf version using the Download button or access a plain text version of our report below.
Plain Text Version
Key Findings
The Scottish Government and Young Scot have been partnering since 2019 to learn more about young people’s knowledge of and opinions about sexual behaviours occurring online. This is part of ongoing work following publication of the report of the Expert Group on Preventing Sexual Offending Involving Children and Young People, and follows the original survey work published in February 2020. A sub-group of the National Child Protection Leadership Group (NCPLG) has been established to oversee delivery of the Expert Group proposals. The Child Protection Improvement Programme blog provides regular updates of the NCPLG and ongoing work.
This survey explored four distinct issues:
• Personal safety online
• Education about sexual issues
• Reporting and support
• Effect of the coronavirus outbreak on online experience
The survey ran between 26th January and 21st March 2021 and received 279 responses.
Notes
1. The age range for this survey was 12 to 18 years old. The survey was updated after the survey was live for one day by changing the age range from 11-18 years old to 12-18 years old. to focus on secondary school aged young people. The options for question 3 were also changed to better match questions in the previous survey.
2. Questions have been analysed as a whole as well as being looked at by demographic. Only demographics where there were over 50 responses have been included. Percentages have been used for comparative purposes. The relevant demographic groups have been explored as follows:
Age group: Respondents to the survey were aged between 12 and 18. Responses have been grouped into “Under 16” (12-15 years old) and “16 to 18” years old.
Age Group Respondents
Under 16 82
16 to 18 165
Prefer not to say 32
Gender identity: Respondents were asked how they identified. Due to response rates, comparisons between female and male respondents have been included only.
Gender Identity Respondents
Female 154
Male 58
Prefer not to say 47
Non-binary 17
In another way 3
Physical or mental health condition or illness: Respondents were asked if they have any physical or mental health conditions or illnesses lasting or expected to last 12 months or more.
Physical or mental health condition or illness Respondents
Yes 78
No 127
Prefer not to say 74
Key Findings
Personal Safety Online
1. Respondents generally felt safe online. Over half (58%) stated that they felt Safe or Very safe while online. Only 9% of respondents stated that they felt Unsafe or Very Unsafe.
2. When asked what online behaviours were seen as being potentially harmful to themselves and young people, the most commonly selected behaviour was Sexual harassment or bullying (82%). The behaviour selected by the least amount of respondents was Sharing sexual images of yourself (59%).
3. Respondents generally felt confident that they understood the risks around online sexual behaviour, with 73% selecting Confident or Very confident. Only 4% of respondents stated that they were Not confident.
Education about sexual issues
1. Over half of respondents (54%) received guidance around sharing sexual images and sexual behaviour online from their school or educational setting.
2. Of those that had received guidance, 62% said that it had been useful. When asked if they wanted to expand upon this answer, 50 respondents provided a typed response. Of those that had found the guidance useful, the most common themes were around the methods that the guidance was given. Of those that said that not found the guidance useful, the most common themes were that not enough detail was given and the focus of this guidance was on not doing or saying no.
3. The topics that the majority of respondents stated that they needed more education on were laws related to online sexual behaviours (80%) and guidance about positive sexual behaviour online (76%). The topic that the least amount of respondents wanted more education around was the risks and dangers of online sexual behaviours (57%).
Reporting and support
1. Around two thirds of respondents (65%) stated that they did not know who to ask or where to look for more information about general online sexual behaviours.
2. Of those who stated that they did know, 62 respondents typed where they would look/who they would ask. The most common theme was online, followed by family members.
3. Half of respondents (50%) stated that they would not know where to look to report online sexual behaviour that was inappropriate or harmful.
4. Of those who stated that they would know, 105 respondents typed where they would look. The most common theme was an official report function on social media/websites/apps, followed by trusted organisations or agencies such as the police or Childline.
5. Around three quarters of respondents (73%) stated that they would not know where to look to access support in relation to online sexual behaviour.
6. Of those who stated that they would know, 32 respondents typed where they would look. The most common theme was trusted organisations or agencies such as Childline or the police, followed by family members.
Effect of the coronavirus outbreak on online experience
1. The majority of respondents stated that their time online has increased since the outbreak of coronavirus (88%).
2. Over half of respondents (52%) thought that the level of online harm has increased during the coronavirus outbreak.
2. Results
2.1 Personal safety online
How safe do you feel online, for example when browsing the internet or on social media?
Respondents generally felt safe online, with over half selecting Safe or Very safe. Around a third of respondents selected Neutral. Only 9% of respondents stated that they felt Unsafe or Very Unsafe.
Age Group
Responses were similar between age groups, with most stating that they felt Safe or Very Safe (65% of respondents under 16 and 63% of those aged 16 to 18).
Under 16 16 to 18
Very unsafe 0% 1%
Unsafe 7% 6%
Neutral 28% 30%
Safe 55% 50%
Very safe 10% 13%
Gender Identity
Male respondents reported feeling safer online than female respondents. The level of respondents who selected Safe was similar between groups, however proportionally more male respondents selected Very Safe than female respondents.
Female Male
Very unsafe 1% 0%
Unsafe 6% 5%
Neutral 28% 26%
Safe 56% 50%
Very safe 9% 19%
Physical or mental health condition or illness
Under half of those who stated that they had a physical or mental health condition or illness stated that they felt safe online (49% selected Safe or Very Safe). The most common response from this group was Neutral (41%).
The majority of respondents did not have a physical or mental health condition or illness stated that they felt safe online (77% selected Safe or Very Safe).
Physical/mental health condition or illness No physical/mental health condition or illness
Very unsafe 1% 0%
Unsafe 9% 3%
Neutral 41% 20%
Safe 38% 65%
Very safe 10% 12%
What online behaviour(s) do you see as being potentially harmful to yourself and other young people?
The behaviour that most respondents selected was Sexual harassment or bullying. The behaviour selected by the least amount of respondents was Sharing sexual images of yourself.
This question was multiple choice therefore the graph does not total 100%
Age Group
The pattern of responses was the same for both age groups. Respondents aged 16 to 18 selected all of the options more than those under the age of 16. The options where differences were greatest between groups were Sexual images produced under pressure or blackmail and Sharing sexual images of someone without their consent.
Under 16 16 to 18
Sexual harassment or bullying 84% 92%
Sexual images produced under pressure or blackmail 40% 89%
Sharing sexual images of someone without their consent 39% 88%
Sharing sexual images of yourself 28% 65%
Other - please specify 5% 8%
Gender Identity
The behaviour that was most commonly selected by female respondents was Sexual harassment or bullying. The behaviour most commonly selected by male respondents was Sharing sexual images of someone without their consent.
Female Male
Sexual harassment or bullying 91% 84%
Sexual images produced under pressure or blackmail 88% 84%
Sharing sexual images of someone without their consent 88% 88%
Sharing sexual images of yourself 64% 66%
Other - please specify 6% 10%
Physical or mental health condition or illness
The behaviour that was most commonly selected by both groups was Sexual harassment or bullying. Sexual images produced under pressure or blackmail was also the most commonly selected option by respondents who did not have a physical or mental health condition or illness. The only response with a large difference between groups was Sharing sexual images of yourself.
Physical/mental health condition or illness No physical/mental health condition or illness
Sexual harassment or bullying 90% 88%
Sharing sexual images of someone without their consent 90% 87%
Sexual images produced under pressure or blackmail 88% 88%
Sharing sexual images of yourself 59% 67%
Other - please specify 9% 6%
Of those who selected Other, 19 respondents provided a typed response, summarised below. Four responses were categorised as non applicable. One respondent said “Nothing”.
Main theme Secondary Theme Responses
Harassment/bullying/threats Homophobic harassment 2
Bullying 2
Using sexual threats 1
Threats (general) 1
Sending or sharing pictures Sending unwanted explicit pictures 2
Being asked to share pictures/videos 2
Targeting of young people Catfishing of young people by older people 1
Being targeted by random people 1
Grooming 1
Blackmail 1
Issues around pornography Easy access to pornography 1
Normalisation of pornography 1
Imagery/adverts on websites Sexual imagery/adverts appearing on sites 1
Glorification of thin body image on social media 1
Other Online shaming 1
Being pressured into doing something 1
Normalisation of prostitution 1
Responses may have been categorised into more than one theme, therefore the table does not total 15.
How confident are you that you understand the risks around online sexual behaviour?
Respondents generally felt confident that they understood the risks around online sexual behaviour, with 73% selecting Confident or Very confident. Only 4% of respondents stated that they were Not confident.
Age Group
Respondents between the ages of 16 and 18 reported feeling slightly more confident (79% selected Confident or Very confident) compared to those under 16 (72% selected Confident or Very confident).
Under 16 16 to 18
Not confident 4% 4%
Slightly confident 5% 8%
Neutral 20% 9%
Confident 39% 49%
Very confident 33% 30%
Gender Identity
Results were similar between male and female respondents. Male respondents selected Very confident slightly more than female respondents.
Female Male
Not confident 3% 2%
Slightly confident 8% 7%
Neutral 13% 14%
Confident 49% 43%
Very confident 27% 34%
Physical or mental health condition or illness
Respondents who stated that they had a physical or mental health condition or illness reported feeling slightly more confident (82% selected Confident or Very confident) compared to those who did not (75% selected Confident or Very confident).
Physical/mental health condition or illness No physical/mental health condition or illness
Not confident 1% 3%
Slightly confident 9% 6%
Neutral 8% 16%
Confident 51% 43%
Very confident 31% 31%
2.2 Education about sexual issues
Has your school or educational setting given you any guidance about sharing sexual images and sexual behaviour online?
Over half of respondents received guidance around sharing sexual images and sexual behaviour online from their school or educational setting.
Age Group
Older respondents stated that they had been given guidance more than younger respondents. A fifth of the under 16 group were unsure if they had received guidance or not.
Under 16 16 to 18
Yes 51% 58%
I don't know 20% 12%
No 29% 31%
Gender Identity
Proportionally more male respondents selected Yes than female respondents.
Female Male
Yes 53% 76%
I don't know 13% 19%
No 34% 5%
Physical or mental health condition or illness
Respondents who stated that they had a physical or mental health condition or illness reported selected Yes slightly more than those who did not.
Physical/mental health condition or illness No physical/mental health condition or illness
Yes 50% 59%
I don't know 15% 12%
No 35% 29%
The 151 respondents who selected Yes were asked the following question.
Has the guidance that you received in school/educational setting been useful?
Most respondents said that it had been useful.
When looking at the data by demographics, the sample sizes were too small for comparison between groups.
When asked if they wanted to expand upon their answer to the previous question, 50 respondents provided a typed response, summarised below.
Respondents who selected Yes (13 responses)
Four responses were categorised as non applicable. One respondent said “Nothing” and one said “I don’t know”.
Main theme Secondary Theme Responses
Method Shown videos 2
Taught topics by someone from outside the school 1
Posters with a link to a website for more information 1
Taught in PSE 1
Talked about regularly 1
Taught about an app 1
Topic Online dangers 1
Safety on social media 1
Risks 1
Consent 1
Impact 1
The law 1
Sexual harassment 1
Opinion Consequences 1
Not sure of real-life impact 2
Should be stricter laws 1
Should be stricter punishments 1
Inappropriate 1
Young people can be easily groomed 1
Responses may have been categorised into more than one theme, therefore the table does not total 13.
Respondents who selected No (37 responses)
Three responses were categorised as non applicable. One respondent said “Neutral”.
Fourteen respondents made a comment about the delivery of the sessions, the main comment being that not enough detail is given in education around these issues.
Main theme Secondary Theme Responses
Delivery Not enough detail 5
Not covered regularly 2
Introduced too late to pupils 2
Unenthusiastic delivery 1
Same resources every year 1
Only spoken about due to specific incident 1
Would prefer that real terms were used 1
Fear mongering/scare tactics 1
“The advice is generally vague and inconsistent. It is delivered unenthusiastic and is not given in enough detail to be if any use.”
Thirteen respondents identified what the focus of educational sessions were. Most stated that they focused on not doing something or saying no to something.
Main theme Secondary Theme Responses
Focus of education Focus is on not doing/saying no 9
Focus is on legality 1
Focus on Cyber Awareness 1
Only know consequences 1
Definition of words e.g. grooming 1
“They pretty much just tell you not to share the images, not so much about anything else regarding the situation.”
Eleven respondents stated that education into these issues does not cover new ground, it is either based on things seen as “common sense” or covers things already known by the respondents.
Main theme Secondary Theme Responses
Education does not cover new ground Common sense 6
Covering things already known 5
“They pretty much just tell you not to share the images, not so much about anything else regarding the situation.”
Ten respondents identified areas that education into these issues does not focus on, mainly how to handle being in harmful situations or the consequences of those situations.
Main theme Secondary Theme Responses
Areas not focused on Not taught how to handle situations 5
Not much focus on consequences 4
Not taught to recognise signs 1
“Feels like they're just stating what most already know because we've been online and taught ourselves from what resources are available to us.”
Four respondents thought that these educational sessions lacked understanding of what it is like to be a young person online.
Main theme Secondary Theme Responses
Lack of understanding around young people online Lack of understanding of young people's online behaviours 1
Incorrect targeting of messages 1
Lack of understanding of social media 1
Assumption that it is easy to say no 1
“Teachers act like the online world is very straight forward and that if something happens it can be solved easily with some help but they don't realise that social media is where any kind of evil can be free to say or show whatever they like quite easily without consequence.”
Themes from seven respondents were categorised as “Other”.
Main theme Secondary Theme Responses
Other Does not feel like a real threat 2
Comment on survey 1
Description of personal experience 1
Nothing taught by school is clear 1
Not taken seriously 1
Schools should not involve themselves in pupils' private lives 1
Responses may have been categorised into more than one theme, therefore the tables do not reflect the number of respondents who answered the question.
Do you feel that you need more education around the following topics?
Over half of respondents stated that they felt they needed more education on all of the suggested topics. The topics that the majority of respondents stated that they needed more education around were laws related to online sexual behaviours and guidance about positive sexual behaviour online. The topic that the least amount of respondents wanted more education around was the risks and dangers of online sexual behaviours.
Age Group
The topic that the majority of both age groups selected was the laws related to online sexual behaviours.
Under 16 16 to 18
The laws related to online sexual behaviours 84% 79%
Guidance about positive sexual behaviour online 76% 78%
The consequences of engaging in online sexual behaviours 70% 67%
The risks and dangers of online sexual behaviours 59% 53%
The results in the table above are the percentage of each group that selected Yes to each of the categories.
Gender Identity
The topic that the majority of both age groups selected was the laws related to online sexual behaviours. Male respondents selected all options less than female respondents.
Female Male
The laws related to online sexual behaviours 86% 67%
Guidance about positive sexual behaviour online 82% 62%
The consequences of engaging in online sexual behaviours 74% 59%
The risks and dangers of online sexual behaviours 60% 43%
The results in the table above are the percentage of each group that selected Yes to each of the categories.
Physical or mental health condition or illness
The topic that respondents with a physical or mental health condition or illness selected most was guidance about positive sexual behaviour online. Respondents that did not have a physical or mental health condition or illness mostly selected laws related to online sexual behaviours. Respondents with a physical or mental health condition or illness selected almost all categories more than the other group.
Physical/mental health condition or illness No physical/mental health condition or illness
Guidance about positive sexual behaviour online 90% 70%
The laws related to online sexual behaviours 86% 80%
The consequences of engaging in online sexual behaviours 78% 61%
The risks and dangers of online sexual behaviours 67% 46%
The results in the table above are the percentage of each group that selected Yes to each of the categories.
2.3 Reporting and support
If you wanted to find out more information about online sexual behaviours generally, do you know who to ask or where to look?
Around two thirds of respondents stated that they did not know who to ask or where to look for more information about general online sexual behaviours.
Age Group
Results were similar between both age groups.
Under 16 16 to 18
Yes 35% 36%
No 65% 64%
Gender Identity
Around a third of female respondents selected Yes compared to half of male respondents.
Female Male
Yes 32% 50%
No 68% 50%
Physical or mental health condition or illness
Almost three quarters of respondents who stated that they had a physical or mental health condition or illness selected No (compared to 59% of respondents that did not have a physical or mental health condition or illness).
Physical/mental health condition or illness No physical/mental health condition or illness
Yes 28% 41%
No 72% 59%
The 99 respondents who selected Yes were asked the following question.
Where would you look for or who would you ask regarding information about this topic?
62 respondents provided a typed response, summarised below. There were four responses that were categorised as non-applicable.
Main theme Secondary Theme Responses
Online Online (general) 9
Google 9
Credible online source 6
Laws online 4
Advice websites 3
Health website 2
Online organisations 1
Website recommended by school 1
Relevant Instagram pages 1
Mental health website 1
Council website 1
Sexual health website 1
Family Parent or guardian 16
Trusted family member 1
School Teacher (general) 8
Guidance teacher 4
School (general) 2
Pupil Support department 1
PSE teacher 1
School staff (general) 1
Trusted organisations/agencies Young Scot 3
Childline 3
Trusted agencies 1
Police 1
NSPCC 1
CEOP 1
Social services 1
Online resources of specific organisations Government website 8
Police Scotland website 2
BBC Bitesize 1
Other trusted people Someone that is trusted 2
Trusted adult 2
Older school friends 1
Campaigners or activists Women's Rights campaigns 1
Activists 1
Other Young people feel like they need to be secretive about their online lives 1
If you wanted to report online sexual behaviour that you saw as inappropriate or harmful, would you know where to look in order to do that?
Just over half of respondents stated that they would not know where to look to report online sexual behaviour that was inappropriate or harmful.
Age Group
Respondents under the age of 16 selected Yes more than those aged 16 to 18.
Under 16 16 to 18
Yes 65% 45%
No 35% 55%
Gender Identity
Almost two thirds of male respondents selected Yes compared 46% of female respondents.
Female Male
Yes 47% 64%
No 53% 36%
Physical or mental health condition or illness
Respondents that did not have a physical or mental health condition or illness selected Yes slightly more than respondents who stated that they did.
Physical/mental health condition or illness No physical/mental health condition or illness
Yes 50% 55%
No 50% 45%
The 139 respondents who selected Yes were asked the following question.
Where would you look to report such behaviour?
105 respondents provided a typed response, summarised below. There were five responses that were categorised as non-applicable.
Main Theme Secondary Theme Responses
Report function Report function on social media 33
Report function on website 18
Report function in app 18
Report function (general) 9
Trusted organisations or agencies Police 35
Childline 7
CEOP 6
Internet Watch Foundation 1
Teenage support centre 1
Local authority 1
Those in charge of the social media platform 5
Website/app/social media platform (general) Website (general) 2
Those in charge of the app 2
Those running the website 2
App settings 1
Social media settings 1
Block the individual on social media 1
School Teacher (general) 4
School (general) 3
Guidance teacher 2
Family Parent or guardian 3
Other trusted people Trusted adult 2
Therapist 1
Campaigners or activists Women's rights groups 1
Social media activists 1
Other Helpline (general) 2
Google 1
Other commentary Report function on social media is not effective 2
Would not know how to report in spaces other than social media 1
Would not know what to do if there was no report function 1
Easy for children or young people to find explicit content 1
Adults do not understand where victim is coming from 1
Told not to contact police 1
If you wanted to access support in relation to online sexual behaviour, would you know where to look?
Around three quarter of respondents stated that they would not know where to look to access support in relation to online sexual behaviour.
Age Group
Respondents under the age of 16 proportionally selected Yes slightly more than those aged 16 to 18.
Under 16 16 to 18
Yes 30% 24%
No 70% 76%
Gender Identity
Results were similar between both groups.
Female Male
Yes 27% 26%
No 73% 74%
Physical or mental health condition or illness
Respondents that did not have a physical or mental health condition or illness selected Yes slightly more than respondents who stated that they did.
Physical/mental health condition or illness No physical/mental health condition or illness
Yes 23% 28%
No 77% 72%
The 75 respondents who selected Yes were asked the following question.
Where would you look to access support?
32 respondents provided a typed response, summarised below. There were four responses that were categorised as non-applicable.
Main Theme Secondary Theme Responses
Trusted organisations or agencies Childline 8
Police 3
Young Scot 2
CEOP 1
Childline 8
Police 3
Family Parent or guardian 9
Family 3
Teacher (general) 3
School School (general) 3
Guidance teacher 2
School counsellor 1
Other trusted people Friends 3
Support group 1
Therapist 1
Trusted adult 1
Doctor 1
Online Google 2
Credible online source 2
Online (general) 1
Campaigners or activists Women's rights groups 1
Other University support 1
Other commentary Would ask a trusted adult in real life but very safe online 1
Not all support groups understand boundaries 1
2.4 Effect of the coronavirus outbreak on online experience
Do you feel that since the outbreak of coronavirus, your time online has decreased, increased or stayed about the same as before?
The majority of respondents stated that their time online has increased since the outbreak of coronavirus.
Do you think that the level of potentially harmful behaviour online has changed during the coronavirus outbreak?
Over half of respondents thought that the level of online harm has increased during the coronavirus outbreak.
Age Group
Both groups mostly agreed that the level of harm has increased during the coronavirus outbreak. Around a quarter of respondents aged 16 to 18 thought that the level of harm has stayed about the same as before.
Under 16 16 to 18
I think that the level of harm has increased 54% 53%
I am not sure 32% 21%
I think that the level of harm has stayed about the same as before 15% 24%
I think that the level of harm has decreased 0% 2%
Gender Identity
Both groups mostly agreed that the level of harm has increased during the coronavirus outbreak. Female respondents selected this option more often than male respondents.
Female Male
I think that the level of harm has increased 59% 45%
I am not sure 22% 31%
I think that the level of harm has stayed about the same as before 18% 22%
I think that the level of harm has decreased 1% 2%
Physical or mental health condition or illness
Both groups mostly agreed that the level of harm has increased during the coronavirus outbreak. Respondents with a physical or mental health condition or illness selected this option more often than respondents who did not.
Physical/mental health condition or illness No physical/mental health condition or illness
I think that the level of harm has increased 65% 46%
I am not sure 18% 28%
I think that the level of harm has stayed about the same as before 17% 24%
I think that the level of harm has decreased 0% 2%
3. Respondent Demographics
How old are you?
Over half of respondents were aged 16 or over. The most commonly selected ages were 16 and 18.
Age %response Age %response
12 3% 16 20%
13 6% 17 18%
14 11% 18 20%
15 10% Prefer not to say 11%
Which Local Authority do you live in?
There were responses from individuals who lived in 31 out of 32 Local Authorities (no respondents identified as living in the Orkney Islands). The most commonly selected Local Authority was Glasgow.
Local Authority %response Local Authority %response
Aberdeen 4% Inverclyde 4%
Aberdeenshire 4% Midlothian 2%
Angus 3% Moray 2%
Argyll & Bute 1% North Ayrshire 3%
Clackmannanshire 1% North Lanarkshire 5%
Dumfries and Galloway 1% Perth & Kinross 3%
Dundee 2% Renfrewshire 4%
East Ayrshire 3% Scottish Borders 4%
East Dunbartonshire 2% Shetland Islands 1%
East Lothian 3% South Ayrshire 1%
East Renfrewshire 1% South Lanarkshire 4%
Edinburgh 1% Stirling 1%
Falkirk 6% West Dunbartonshire 1%
Fife 2% West Lothian 5%
Glasgow 6% Prefer not to say 11%
Highland 8%
Gender identity
The majority of respondents identified as Female.
Gender identity %response
Female 55%
Male 21%
Prefer not to say 17%
Non-binary 6%
In another way 1%
Do you have any physical or mental health condition or illnesses lasting or expected to last 12 months or more?
Yes 28%
No 46%
Prefer not to say 27%
Do any of your conditions or illnesses reduce your ability to carry-out day-to-day activities? (Asked to those who selected Yes to the question above).
Yes, a little 55%
Yes, a lot 28%
No 12%
Prefer not to say 5%
Contact
Rowan Morris, Insight and Intelligence Officer
rowanm@young.scot
0131 313 2488