Statistics released by Sensis show 9 per cent of youths living in regional Australia have been bullied online, while 23 per cent have witnessed bullying or harassment on social media. 

Sensis surveyed 800 people and 1100 businesses for the recent study.

The research also found 40 to 49-year-olds are the most likely to be bullied, or to have witnessed bullying online.

Across the board, eight in 10 people in regional towns are now using social media.

People spend on average more than 23 minutes a day on Facebook and 32 minutes on Snapchat, the report said.

Almost six in 10 people are now using social media in the bedroom, up from 42 per cent to 59 per cent this year, and rising to 94 per cent among people aged 18 to 29.

In what may come as a shock to some, the data revealed males are more likely than females to take a selfie and to post photos of food to social media. 

People aged 18 to 29, or males are more likely to befriend strangers online and use social platforms on the toilet. 

Scrolling Facebook, Twitter or Instagram feeds while on the toilet is considered “normal” for 14 per cent of the general population, more than double the five per cent recorded in 2015. The recent data showed 17 per cent of men think a dunny tweet is okay and 29 per cent of people aged 18 to 29 do it often. 

More than half young people are excited when their post receives more ‘likes’ than they anticipated. 

The report showed women preferred Facebook, with 97 per cent having an account, while 50 per cent of men used Instagram, compared to 41 per cent of women. 

Men dominate LinkedIn and Twitter, with 22 per cent and 35 per cent, respectively, having profiles. The social media craze of Snapchat attracts 43 per cent of men and 36 per cent of women. 

Meanwhile, a third of 30 to 39-year-olds are happy to look at social media platforms while at dinner with family and friends.