How often people see unwanted or harmful content while scrolling
Core finding
In a Verasight survey of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted May 1 to 4, 2026, 52% of Americans said they come across unwanted or emotionally harmful material on short-form video platforms at least sometimes when they scroll.
Another 25% said this happens rarely, 12% said never, and 11% said they do not use short-form video platforms.
Topline distribution
52% encounter harmful short-form video content at least sometimes.
How frequently do you come across unwanted or emotionally harmful material when you are scrolling on short-form video platforms (TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, etc.)?
n = 1,000 · May 1–4, 2026 · MoE ±3.3%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | US adults age 18+ |
| Field dates | May 1–4, 2026 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.3% |
| Module | 2 |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- reports.verasight.io/r/sbm-2026
How frequently do you come across unwanted or emotionally harmful material when you are scrolling on short-form video platforms (TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, etc.)?
Cite this question
SBM Omnibus Survey #2026-049, fielded May 1-4, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.3%.