The idea of ​​the Internet, which is now largely based on social media, assumes that not only can anyone be a recipient of information, but that we can all be its creators and senders. Such democratization of the process of creating and transmitting information has a number of advantages, but it also carries certain risks, such as the fact that content posted on the Internet is subject to less control than that transmitted by traditional media broadcasters (television, radio, press). In our study, we asked Poles about their contact with online content that was, in their opinion, inappropriate, pathological, or violated accepted norms of conduct.

Three-quarters of respondents who declared watching video materials created by Internet creators (or materials in which they appear) or reading comments written by other users declare that they have encountered at least once behaviour or statements that they consider pathological (75%, which is 56% of all adults). It is worth emphasising that two-fifths of them (40%) claim that they have encountered inappropriate content repeatedly, and one third (33%) saw it several times.

Have you ever encountered behaviour or statements in videos or comments that you found offensive, inappropriate, or such that violated generally accepted rules of conduct?

The highest percentage of people who encountered behaviour or statements that were offensive or violated generally accepted rules of conduct is among the youngest. In general, Internet users under 35 years of age have contact with such content more often than average, and especially the youngest ones aged 18 to 24.

We also decided to check the exposure, i.e. watching online video materials created by Internet creators (or those in which the creators appear) or reading online comments, to specific types of content. Recipients of video materials most often encounter vulgar language (80% in total, including 42% repeatedly) and insults, humiliation, ridicule (76%, including 35% repeatedly). A smaller proportion of viewers of video content created by other users saw physical violence (38%) and threats (34%). More than two-fifths (42%) witnessed alcohol abuse and one-fifth (21%) saw drug use while watching these videos.

In these video materials, have you ever encountered:

According to responses, Internet comments are no less saturated with pathological content. Eight out of ten internet users (80%, including 44% repeatedly) have encountered vulgar language, a slightly smaller group (78%, including 41% repeatedly) have read insults, humiliation or ridicule of others, and two-fifths (39%) have read threats.

While reading comments written by other users on the Internet, have you ever encountered: