(Redmond, WA, Tuesday, February 5, 2019) – In observance of Safer Internet Day, Microsoft is releasing its 3^rd annual Digital Civility Index. The Index is based on a survey conducted this past summer in 22 countries examining people’s attitudes and perceptions about online behaviors and interactions.

Key findings from the survey include:

• The most painful risks were related to a person’s self-image and while some reported that the risk was a singular event, almost half of respondents worried the risk would happen again.
• Targets of online risks often named acquaintances, friends or family as perpetrators.
• Teens were more likely to reach out for help, with most reporting that they rely on their parents when dealing with a risk.
• Millennials (ages 18-34) had the highest lifetime exposure to online risks.
• Females bore the brunt of bullying, harassment and their consequences.

Safer Internet Day is an international day of action, organized by Insafe every February, to promote safer and more responsible use of technology, particularly among children and young people. Microsoft has been active in Safer Internet Day each year since it started in 2004. This year’s theme is, “Together for a better internet.”

On Safer Internet Day, Microsoft is challenging people around the world to embrace “digital civility” and treat each other with respect and dignity online. Microsoft invites people to commit to its Digital Civility Challenge, originally released for Safer Internet Day 2017. The company encourages people to post on social media about their commitment, using the hashtags #Challenge4Civility and #Im4DigitalCivility, and to share examples of how being more civil online has made a positive difference in their life and/or community.

Microsoft suggests visiting its Digital Civility webpage, which houses resources and information for consumers, educators, and non-profit organizations, on ways they can promote digital civility and help create a safer online environment for everyone.