The Bansomdej Poll Center at Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University conducted a survey on online threats to youths during the 2026 long school holidays. Data was collected from a sample of 1,381 residents in Bangkok from 24 to 28 February 2026. The sample size was determined using Taro Yamane’s formula, requiring 1,111 samples for a population over 100,000 with 95% confidence and a 3% margin of error.
Assistant Professor Dr. Singh Singhkajorn, Chairman of the Bansomdej Poll Center Committee, stated that the survey results indicate that during the long school holidays each year, youths have more free time for activities. Currently, online media pose rapidly increasing threats to Thai youths, exposing them to risks such as online harassment, sexual exploitation, hate speech, and access to inappropriate content including gambling, pornography, and drugs. Violent games may lead to imitative behavior; pornography consumption may lead to sexual abuse; gambling and betting games lead to online gambling addiction; cyberbullying occurs especially through online gaming, which has become a channel for criminals to build trust through gameplay orchatting.Criminals deceive youths into transferring money by claiming to sell game items or top-up cards, then abscond with the money. Sexual luring involves chatting to arrange meetings for indecent acts. Bullying in games includes insults and pressure causing stress to children. Youths are also exploited as money laundering channels through buying and selling game items as a cover for illegal money transfers. Parents should closely monitor conversations, gaming behavior, and guide youths carefully. In the future, curricula on internet safety and cybersecurity should be added. Internet safety involves protecting personal data from online threats, while cybersecurity focuses on protecting systems and networks from unauthorized access or attacks. Key protective measures include data encryption, strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and regular software updates. Education on financial scams and how to respond to online threats is essential so children can question, verify, and seek help promptly. Promoting good digital behavior and safeguarding youths from online threats involves encouraging respect for others’ privacy, verifying information before sharing, and avoiding copyright violations. The survey revealed the following interesting data:
The majority of respondents estimated that youths in their care spend the following average daily hours on screens (mobile/tablet/computer) during the long school holidays: 6-8 hours ranked first at 34.7%, 3-5 hours second at 34.2%, less than 2 hours third at 15.9%, and more than 8 hours last at 15.3%.
They believed the platforms most used by children and youths, and posing the greatest online threat, were ranked: first TikTok at 43.7%, second Instagram (IG) at 16.4%, fourth Facebook/Messenger at 12.5%, third YouTube/Streaming at 12.8%, fifth online games at 11.2%, and last dating apps at 3.3%.
The majority of respondents reported seeing youths under their care encounter the following advertisements: first, online gambling websites at 39.2%, second, quick loans/illegal loan apps at 19.3%, third, abnormally cheap products at 19%, fourth, never seen/not sure at 16%, and last, pornographic clips/materials at 6.4%.
The greatest online threats parents worried about youths facing during school holidays were: first, being scammed by call center gangs to transfer money at 35.8%, second, addiction to online gambling leading to debt at 23.3%, third, imitating violent behavior at 17.5%, fourth, sexual luring at 12.9%, and last, online bullying at 10.5%.
Individuals with the greatest influence on youth online behavior were: first, friends/online peer groups at 25.9%, second, YouTubers/game streamers/influencers at 23.5%, third, actors/singers/artists at 23.2%, and last, strangers on social media at 19.3%.
Regarding youths’ behavior of in-game purchases orgame items(microtransactions), the majority viewed it as normal entertainment at 31.1%, second as an initial risk of gambling addiction at 27.6%, third that spending limits or age controls should be strictly enforced at 26.4%, and last as a financial burden for parents at 14.9%.
Observed behavioral changes in youths excessively addicted to online media were: first, aggression or violent moods when frustrated at 30.1%, second, withdrawal or avoiding family interaction at 27.3%, third, no abnormal changes detected at 19%, fourth, declining academic performance or short attention span at 15.9%, and last, stealing money for online spending at 7.7%.
The main causes believed responsible foryouthsfalling victim to online threats were: first, social media platforms lacking advertisement screening at 39.2%, second, education system not teaching media literacy at 28.2%, third, weak family institutions or parents lacking time at 18.8%, and last, outdated laws or insufficient penalties at 13.8%.
The majority of respondents want decisive government action, ranking: first, immediate arrest of online gambling site owners and call center gangs at 34.6%, second, blocking online gambling and pornographic websites at 31.7%, third, arresting influencers who promote gambling sites at 17.7%, and last, establishing a reporting center for youths to report online threats at 15.9%.
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