Microsoft’s 2023 survey revealed that 69% of people surveyed worldwide had encountered online risks in the last year. The most common risks reported were misinformation and personal risks, such as cyberbullying, hate speech, and threats of violence. Respondents in the UK and Germany were the least likely to experience an online risk, while those in the Philippines and Chile were most likely to encounter such risks.

Microsoft’s 2023 survey revealed that 69% of people surveyed worldwide had encountered online risks in the last year. The most common risks reported were misinformation and personal risks, such as cyberbullying, hate speech, and threats of violence. Respondents in the UK and Germany were the least likely to experience an online risk, while those in the Philippines and Chile were most likely to encounter such risks.

Furthermore, the research found that parents consistently underestimated the online risks faced by their teenage children, with a 12-point difference between the number of teens who reported experiencing online risks and the number of parents who believed their teen had encountered a risk online. Parents also underestimated the risks in every category, with the biggest gaps related to hate speech and threats of violence.

However, most parents still reported taking action to keep their children safe online, including checking their profiles and posts, receiving activity reports, and regularly talking to them about their online activities. Parents of younger children were more likely to use platform-based safety tools than parents of teens. Microsoft's research shows that parents generally view safety features as effective tools to help keep their children safe online, with tools enabling parents to review friend/follow requests and limit online spending being the most effective.

The survey found that teens are more likely to discuss online risks with their parents than with anyone else, with 71% of those teens who talked to someone about their experience speaking to their parents. Furthermore, 60% of teens talked to someone about their experience after encountering an online risk, indicating that open communication between parents and their children is crucial for ensuring a safer online experience.

Microsoft’s projects on digital safety focus on four pillars: platform architecture, content moderation, culture, and collaboration. The company believes that clear safety policies coupled with consistent, proportionate action to enforce those policies are essential for protecting users. Furthermore, empowering users to create safe and inclusive online communities enables everyone to more fully participate in digital environments. Multistakeholder collaboration remains critical to tackling the intersection of real-world and digital harms, and Microsoft will continue to work with policymakers and others around the world to shape effective, proportional responses to help make the internet a safe space for everyone.

For parents looking for educational resources and guidance to customize their online safety experience, Microsoft provides a range of resources, including tips for teens and parents, the Xbox Family Hub, Microsoft Family Safety, and the Xbox Family Settings App. Additionally, Minecraft: Education Edition has released an immersive game-based learning adventure, Privacy Prodigy, for students aged 7-18, to help them learn about the personal information that can be shared online and what should be kept private.

In conclusion, Microsoft's research highlights the need for continued collaboration between tech companies, governments, civil society, and families to ensure a safer online experience for everyone. By working together, we can develop effective, proportional responses to help protect users and create a safe and inclusive online community.