We wanted to get an extra reading about the tone of content and conversation on SNS in addition to getting more specific readings on mean and cruel behavior. So, one of the questions we asked adult SNS users that was not asked of teens was: “How often do you see people using language, images or humor on social networking sites that you find offensive?”

Nearly three-quarters (73%) said they encountered such offensive content or language only once in a while or never. Specifically, the responses were:

• 11% of adult SNS users said they saw people using such language and images frequently
• 15% said they saw others using such language and images sometimes
• 38%  said they saw others using such language and images only once in a while
• 35% said they never saw others using such language and images

Minorities, women, parents of minor children, and Millennials were the most likely to encounter offensive language, images, or humor.

• 42% of black SNS users said they frequently or sometimes saw language, images or humor on SNS that they found offensive, compared with 22% of white SNS users. In addition, 33% of Hispanic SNS users said they encountered such material with that level of frequency, which is notably higher than whites.
• 34% of Millennial generation SNS users – those ages 18-34 – said they frequently or sometimes saw language, images or humor on SNS that they found offensive, compared with 17% of SNS users in GenX (those ages 35-46). Even smaller percentages of SNS-using Baby Boomers and retirees said they had encountered such material.
• 29% of women SNS users said they frequently or sometimes saw language, images or humor on SNS that they found offensive, compared with 22% of men.
• 29% of SNS users who are parents with minor children said they frequently or sometimes saw language, images or humor on SNS that they found offensive, compared with 24% of nonparents.