The State of Anti-Social Behaviour on Social Media – 31% of Canadians experienced one type of anti-social behaviour on social media

TORONTO — Around the world and here in Canada, users are grappling with the impending normalization of aggressive behaviour, hostility, and toxic discourse in online spaces that demand more precise attention and interventions from policymakers, social media platforms, researchers, and civil society organizations.

According to a new report, "The State of Anti-Social Behaviour on Social Media" released today by the Social Media Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University, 31% of Canadians (472/1500) report experiencing at least one type of anti-social behaviour sometimes or more often on social media.

"Anti-social behaviour is so normalized in our online spaces today," said Gruzd, an author on the report. "Left unattended, the normalization of certain types of aggressive anti-social behaviour, such as hate speech, can erode public trust and confidence in democracy itself."

Using a census-balanced sample (n=1500) of the Canadian population (18+), the authors of this report, Anatoliy Gruzd, Jaigris Hodson, Jenna Jacobson, Philip Mai, Victoria O’Meara, and Felipe Soares, aim to empirically shed light on this dangerous trend by analyzing how anti-social behaviour manifests on social media and how it affects different demographic groups in Canada.

Among other findings, the survey shows that members of minority groups are more likely to experience anti-social behaviour on social media. For example 42% of racialized individuals, 47% of the individuals with disabilities, and 50% of individuals who are members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community reported experiencing anti-social behaviour on social media.

"We can't afford to underestimate the consequences of online anti-social behaviour in society," said Hodson, another author on the report. "At an individual level, these behaviours can strain personal and professional relationships resulting in psychological and emotional consequences."

1. 31% of Canadians (472/1500) report experiencing at least one type of anti-social behaviour sometimes or more often on social media. See Sec. 2.1
2. The most common types of anti-social behaviour on social media
   are being purposely excluded
   from a conversation (19%) and
   receiving hurtful messages
   (18%). See Sec. 2.1
3. 10% of Canadians reported
   having sexual content sent to
   them via social media from
   somebody who was trying to be
   mean to them or to embarrass
   them. See Sec. 2.1
4. Members of minority groups are
   more likely to experience anti-social behaviour on social media:
   42% of racialized individuals,
   47% of the individuals with
   disabilities, and 50% of
   individuals who are members of
   the 2SLGBTQ+ community. See
   Sec. 2.2
5. The most common impact of
   anti-social behaviour on social
   media is mental or emotional
   stress. People also report having
   problems with friends or family,
   problems with romantic
   relationships, and reputational
   damage. See Sec. 3.1

6. Racialized individuals,
   individuals with disabilities, and
   members of the 2SLGBTQ+
   community are more likely to
   report negative impacts, such as
   dealing with mental or emotional
   stress, because of experiencing
   anti-social behaviour on social
   media. See Sec. 3.2
7. After experiencing anti-social
   behaviour on social media, 77%
   of Canadians would unfriend or
   block the person/account
   responsible. See Sec. 4
   The findings highlight the need for:
   ● more effective safety
   measures on social media
   platforms,
   ● strengthened online
   community standards,
   ● enhanced support for mental
   health impacts on targets,
   ● informed policy responses to
   address harassment and anti-social behaviour online.