People in regional Australia are twice as likely to experience online harassment, according to new data released by Sensis.
The 2017 Sensis Social Media Report paints a bleak picture of the influence of social media on life in regional Australia. Usage increased 10 per cent in the last year and 23 per cent of users report witnessing online abuse, compared to 15 per cent in the nation’s capital cities.
Nine per cent of regional Australia identified as victims of cyber-bullying, compared to four per cent in the cities.
Hugh Tobin, spokesman for Sensis, said the authors were surprised at the stark difference between country and city.
He said one possible reason for the difference is that regional Australia reported a larger number of “friends” on most major platforms, apart from Facebook.
“We will be seeking to further expand on this and investigate in next year’s report,” he said.
Regional Australians have 34 per cent more Twitter contacts, and a whopping 68 per cent more friends on the young, image-based platform Snapchat on average.
The Respect Awareness Incorporation in Wagga have been advocating against cyber-bulling in schools and the community for years.
President Ronda Lampe said for children and adults, social media can be a dangerous place as “accountability can’t be traced.”
Born and raised in Wagga, she was surprised by the prevalence of online bullying in the country, but said country people may be “too trusting” online.
“In smaller areas people look out for each other. While they are tech-savvy they might not realise just how vulnerable you can be online,” she said.
The group considered the cyber-bulling problem so severe, they used private sponsorship to promote awareness on the back of a town bus earlier this year.
Archie Bolter, programs manager at anti-bullying organisation PROJECT ROCKIT, told the ABC the closer connections in the country may be a factor.
"They're more aware of reputation and shame, and people may feel like there's no escape," he said.
Mr Bolter also suggested people in rural towns could be targeted for being different and use social media to find a support network, opening them up to abuse.
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