Evidence Library
Comprehensive data charts, academic papers, and statistical analysis on the impact of social media on children and adolescents.
filtered by Geographical
Overall support for social media ban in six European countires (2026)
This table shows the level of public support for banning social media for under-16s across France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Spain and Poland, based on a 2026 YouGov survey. The data reveal a strong 'consensus of concern' in Western and Southern Europe, where support for such a measure consistently exceeds 70%. France leads the group with 79% support, reflecting its legislative momentum towards banning under-15s, followed closely by Britain (76%) and Germany (74%). A significant trend emerges regarding the 'legitimacy gap' in Eastern Europe: while Poland still has a majority in favour (53%), it also has the highest level of public opposition at 39%, which is nearly double the resistance seen in France or Britain.
Perception of efficacy of a social media ban in six European countries (2026)
This chart illustrates public perceptions of the efficacy of banning under-16s from social media across six European countries. The data reveal an efficiency gap: while a majority of Europeans support such a ban in principle, they are deeply divided and often pessimistic regarding its ability to prevent children from creating and using accounts. A significant regional trend emerges in terms of optimism levels: Italy is the most confident about the efficiency of the policy, with 61% of adults (25% of whom believe it will be "very effective") expecting the measure to succeed. Conversely, Britain is the most sceptical, with 54% of adults in total predicting that the ban will fail, including 17% who believe it will be 'not at all effective'. This scepticism is also evident in Poland and Germany, where approximately half of the population doubts the practical impact of the law.
Support for social media ban in six European countries, disaggregated by age group (2026)
This table shows the level of public support for a social media ban among three age groups in six European countries. The data reveal remarkably high and stable levels of support across generations in France, where backing remains at or above 77% for all age groups. The survey also identifies a 'parental mandate', with parents of children under 18 emerging as the most enthusiastic supporters, with approval ratings reaching 79% in Britain, Italy and Spain. A significant trend emerges regarding generational scepticism in specific markets: while older adults in Britain (80%) are the most likely to favour a ban, the younger generation (18–34) in both Britain (68%) and Germany (59%) is more sceptical. Conversely, 'senior resistance' is evident in Poland, where support among those aged 55+ falls to 41%, and Spain, where the oldest generation is the least supportive (64%).
Support for social media ban in six European countries, disaggregated by gender (2026)
This table shows public support for banning social media for minors, disaggregated by gender, in six European countries. The data reveal a consistent gender support gap, whereby men are notably more likely than women to favour a ban in five of the six countries surveyed. The highest levels of male support are found in France (82%) and Britain (80%), where support among men exceeds that among women by 6 and 8 percentage points, respectively. A significant trend emerges in Southern Europe, where the gender disparity is most acute: in Italy, men support the ban by 10 percentage points more than women (75% vs 65%), and a similar 8-point gap exists in Spain. Poland is the only outlier in this dataset, being the only country where female support (55%) slightly exceeds male support (51%).