Young People's Online Habits Highlight Need for Social Services to Go Digital

Strategic Insights -

A survey conducted by the University of Hong Kong's public opinion programme found that young people in Hong Kong spend an average of 20 hours a week online, with 90% using social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. The survey, commissioned by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service and Microsoft Hong Kong, aimed to understand the online habits and security concerns of young people aged 12 to 23. The findings revealed that most young people are not monitored while online and are concerned about online privacy and security, with over 40% knowing how to protect their privacy but only a third taking action.

Key Takeaways:

  • Young people in Hong Kong spend an average of 20 hours a week online, with 90% using social networking sites.
  • 80% of young people said they were not monitored while online, and the same percentage were concerned about online privacy and security.
  • Only a third of young people took action to protect their online privacy, despite 40% knowing how to do so.
  • 60% of young people had experienced security problems online, with 7% having their personal data or photos published by others, and 5% having met people who used others' identities online.
  • Most social services in Hong Kong reach out to troubled youth physically and few operate online, despite the need for online services to address the community's needs.
  • The Hong Kong Council of Social Service hopes the government will allocate resources for online projects to address issues like compensated dating and drug parties.
  • 40% of young people in Hong Kong used anti-virus software to protect their online security, but only a quarter of those who had security problems took action to fix the issue.

Statistics:

  • 90% of young people in Hong Kong use social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.
  • 80% of young people are concerned about online security and privacy.
  • Only 30% of young people take action to protect their online privacy.
  • 60% of young people have experienced online security problems.
  • 40% of young people use anti-virus software to protect their online security.
  • 75% of young people who experienced online security problems did not take action to fix the issue.

Sources:

  • University of Hong Kong's public opinion programme
  • Hong Kong Council of Social Service
  • Microsoft Hong Kong