Report

This report presents findings from a national survey with 1,007 Canadian teens aged 13-18 about their experiences of seeing authentic violent and gore content online. Using both open and close-ended questions, the survey showed three key findings: 1) exposure to authentic violence and gore is incredibly common, including videos of murder and abuse; 2) online service providers are both failing to adequately moderate this content and have designed systems that algorithmically promote this content to teens; and 3) most teens have negative feelings about seeing this content and believe it should be better regulated. At a time of heightened debate over digital technologies in young people’s lives, we draw on teens’ own words to show that they largely support regulating authentic violent and gore content, want reporting mechanisms that are easier to use, and wish that content moderation was better enforced and resourced. 

 

This report is available in English and French.

 

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