Household Internet Security and Information Integrity 2021

As we surf the web and online platforms more and more, we are exposed to a very large amount of information, some of which is true, some of which is clearly untrue and some which requires further evaluation and investigation. We have become familiar with the term ‘fake news’ but how digitally literate are we in evaluating the accuracy and reliability of online information and content and fact-checking this content?

In the 2021 ICT Household Survey, a new section on ‘Information Integrity’ was included in the questionnaire. This is the first time that questions of this nature were asked in this survey.

In 2021, over six in 10 (62%) internet users saw information or content (includes videos, images, etc.) on online news sites or social media (such as on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, etc.)  that they considered doubtful or untrue. Similar numbers of males and females saw content online where they questioned its integrity – 61% of males compared with 62% of females. See Table 4.1 and Figure 4.1.

However, analysis by age group shows that of older persons aged 60 to 74 years, just over four in 10 (41%) saw content online that they considered doubtful or untrue, compared with 78% of persons aged 30 to 44 years, and 73% of younger persons in the 16 to 29 years age group. See Table 4.1 and Figure 4.1.

Just short of seven in 10 (69%) internet users whose principal economic status was At work questioned the veracity of information or content they saw online, compared with just 39% of Students.

Of the persons who fact-checked the information or content they saw online, the vast majority (93%) checked and evaluated the websites/online sources or found other information on the internet to validate the information. Those aged 30 to 44 years were the most likely to fact-check online content (97%), while 85% of the younger 16 to 29 years age group checked the reliability of online information and content. Of persons whose principal economic status was At work, 94% checked the questionable content in this way, compared with just 74% of Retired persons. See Table 4.3 and Figure 4.2.

Some 15% of internet users cited following or taking part in online discussion regarding the integrity of content. This evaluation activity was reported more so by younger persons, with 29% of persons aged 16 to 29 years participating in or following such online discussions, compared with 14% of persons aged 45 to 59 years, and just 6% of persons aged between 60 and 74 years. See Table 4.3 and Figure 4.2.

Of persons whose principal economic status was At work, 17% checked questionable content in this way, compared with just 5% of Students and 6% of Retired persons. See Table 4.3.

Discussing the information offline with other persons or using sources not on the internet was carried out by 53% of the older 60 to 74 years age group. At an overall level, 47% of respondents chose this option as one of the ways they fact check information or content they see online. See Table 4.3 and Figure 4.2.

Note that multiple options could be selected by the respondent.

Of those who did not check the truthfulness of content they saw online, the most common reason (80%) was that they already knew the information content or source was unreliable, so there was no need to further fact check it. A further one in 12 (8%) cited lack of skills or knowledge, such as they did not know how to check the information on the internet or it was too complicated. See Table 4.4.