General perception of safety and communication online, by country (Base: All children 10–16) - European Average

This dataset provides an overview of the average subjective feelings of safety, practical agency and online self-expression among children in Europe. The strongest reported sentiment across the region is personal coping capacity: 62% of European young people say they know what to do if they encounter negative behaviour online. However, fewer than half (48%) explicitly report feeling safe online, revealing a significant discrepancy between knowing how to handle negative interactions and actually feeling secure in digital environments. Furthermore, only 25% believe that other internet users are kind and helpful. In terms of online identity and communication, digital platforms offer an important alternative space for self-expression for a significant proportion of people: 23% find it easier to be themselves online than in person, 22% discuss different topics online, and 14% feel empowered online. Nevertheless, intimate self-disclosure remains limited, with only 9% sharing personal information online that they would avoid discussing in person.