Evidence Library
Comprehensive data charts, academic papers, and statistical analysis on the impact of social media on children and adolescents.
filtered by Geographical
Age assurance methods employed by platforms
This chart breaks down the technical methods employed by the 353 platforms that attempt to verify age. The data reveal that 88% of these services rely on 'self-declaration'. Advanced, privacy-preserving technologies such as age verification (11%) and age estimation (5%) remain rare.
Enforcement gaps of age assurance in tested digital services
This chart illustrates the discrepancy between the legal policies of digital services and the technical reality, in several apps and websites tested. Although 62% of tested platforms (517 out of 832) explicitly prohibit children under the age of 13 in their terms of service, almost a third, 32% of these (164 out of 517) offer no mechanism to prevent underage access whatsoever. The remaining 68% of the tested platforms use at least one age assurance mechanism, the most commonly employed being: self-declaration, age verification or age estimation. The distribution of these methods is presented in Chart n. 81
Mandatory collection of personal information on websites and apps, stating that they do not knowingly collect children’s personal information (2025)
This chart illustrates the discrepancy between platform privacy policies and actual data collection practices, as revealed by the 2025 Global Privacy Enforcement Network (GPEN) Sweep. The study involved 27 global privacy authorities, including those from the UK and Canada, who replicated the user experience across 876 websites and apps that are popular with children. The data focuses specifically on the 54% of services that state in their policies that they 'do not knowingly collect children’s personal information', yet still require the disclosure of sensitive identifiers for account creation. A significant trend emerges in the identification gap: despite claiming to avoid collecting data on children, the majority of these platforms (62%) require an email address, and half (50%) require a username (often featuring the user's first and last name). Furthermore, 42% of these services still insist on a legal name and 15% require a phone number. These findings reveal a lack of transparency in the digital ecosystem. By using 'non-collection' statements as a legal shield while simultaneously mandating the collection of high-value personal data, these platforms leave young users vulnerable to tracking and profiling, without implementing the necessary child-specific protective controls.
Minimum ages in social media age restrictions in place or under consideration, by country as of 10 April 2026
This chart shows the age thresholds that are being adopted or debated in OECD member and accession candidate countries as of April 2026. The data reveal clear global convergence around two main 'digital majority' ages: 15 and 16. While Australia, Brazil and Indonesia have already moved into the enforcement phase with a 16-year-old limit, the vast majority of European nations, including Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom, are currently debating this same threshold. A significant trend emerges in the clustering of European Member States. The largest group, comprising France, Italy, the Netherlands, and the Nordic states, is coalescing around a 15-year age limit. A smaller group consisting of Austria and Canada is considering a 14-year threshold. In contrast, the United States presents a fragmented landscape, with proposals ranging from 13 to 16 years old.
Percentage of websites and apps with inappropriate content, by type (2025)
This chart illustrates the prevalence of inappropriate and high-risk content identified on 876 children's websites and apps during the 2025 GPEN Sweep. As part of 'Indicator 5' (inappropriate content and high-risk features), researchers assessed how frequently content posed a direct threat to the psychological and physical safety of children and young people. The data reveal that harmful content is systemic across a significant proportion of the digital ecosystem, rather than an isolated occurrence. A significant trend emerges in exposure to peer-related and physical threats: bullying and hateful content, as well as violence, were identified on 15% of all surveyed services. Additionally, the data highlights the prevalence of 'adult-oriented' risks, with 12% of platforms featuring gambling and 11% featuring sexual content. Adding to that is the baseline of severe psychological risks: a combined 20% of services expose children to content related to self-harm (7%), eating disorders (7%), and suicide (6%). These findings suggest that many platforms currently used by children lack the necessary content moderation and safety filters to prevent exposure to high-risk, life-threatening material.
Percentage of websites and apps with unsuitable design features by type of design (2025)
This chart illustrates the prevalence of high-risk design features among 876 digital services analysed in the 2025 GPEN Sweep. The data reveal that 20% of platforms allow children to freely engage with others without adequate friction or oversight, while 15% subject minor users to behavioural profiling. The methodology also reveals a significant barrier to transparency: 15% of services use privacy policies written in language that is likely beyond the comprehension of child users. A notable trend emerges concerning the relationship between business models and child safety. The Sweep found that mobile apps are notably riskier than websites, with an unsuitability rate of 47% compared to 41%. Furthermore, a 'monetisation gap' was identified: free services, which often rely on data-driven advertising, were found to be suitable in only 53% of cases, whereas paid/subscription services showed a higher suitability rate of 61%. Free of fees platforms create incentives for the collection of intrusive data (e.g. 11% geolocation and 12% public-by-default settings) and the use of engagement features.