Perception of Safety and Communication Online

These data from the 2026 EU Kids Online report explore how children perceive their own safety and the social dynamics of the digital environment. The data reveal a significant 'security-literacy gap': while the majority of children (61%) report knowing how to handle negative interactions online, fewer than half (48%) actually feel safe in digital spaces. This suggests that having the technical knowledge of 'what to do' does not necessarily translate into a subjective sense of security. The vast majority of children (76%) do not find other internet users to be kind or helpful, suggesting that a hostile or indifferent social environment is perceived as the norm by three-quarters of European youth. Only 9% of children report discussing personal matters online that they would not talk about face-to-face, and only 23% find it easier to be themselves online.