Children’s Views on Restrictions on Social Media

These data from the 2026 EU Kids Online report examine children's attitudes towards social media restrictions, revealing a delicate balance between their desire for autonomy and their acknowledgement of potential advantages. The data show that a significant proportion of European young people (47% in total) disagree with restrictions, fearing that they would make it difficult to participate in online discussions about news or politics, indicating concern for their civic participation rights. Similarly, almost half (48% in total) are concerned that restrictions would make it more difficult to stay in touch with friends, emphasising the social value of these platforms. A key trend emerges in the tension between perceived control and safety. While 45% of children agree that restrictions would limit their freedom and rights, only 33% believe that these restrictions would make them feel safer online. This suggests that young people are sceptical that bans would genuinely enhance their security. Furthermore, a significant proportion (48% total disagreement) would feel less comfortable if their parents knew which apps they used, emphasising their desire for digital privacy and autonomy from parental oversight.