Evidence Library
Comprehensive data charts, academic papers, and statistical analysis on the impact of social media on children and adolescents.
filtered by Geographical
Daily Active Social Media Use: 15-Year-Olds by Gender (2022)
This chart shows the distribution of time spent on active social media activities, such as messaging and posting content, by 15-year-olds on a typical weekday, by gender. Active digital participation is a near-universal behaviour for both genders, with 87% of males and 82% of females engaging in active social media use daily. Notably, a higher percentage of females (18%) report no active usage compared to their male counterparts (13%).
Daily Passive Social Media Use: 15-Year-Olds (2022)
This chart shows the distribution of time spent on passive social media activities, such as scrolling through feeds or browsing content, by 15-year-olds on a typical weekday. The data reveal that passive engagement is a near-universal habit for this demographic, with only 6% of adolescents reporting no usage at all. The majority of students fall into the moderate-to-heavy usage categories, with 39% spending between one and three hours daily on these platforms. 37% of 15-year-olds spend more than three hours per day engaged in passive scrolling. 94% of 15-year-olds are daily participants in passive digital consumption.
Daily Passive Social Media Use: 15-Year-Olds by Gender (2022)
This chart shows the distribution of time spent on passive social media activities, such as scrolling or browsing, by 15-year-olds on a typical weekday, divided by gender. The data reveal that passive consumption is a near-universal behaviour for both genders. Only a small minority of both genders report no passive usage at all. A significant trend emerges in the "high intensity" category: 42% of males spend more than three hours per day passively consuming content, compared to 32% of females.
Daily Use of the Internet Among Young People (16 to 29 Years Old) (2021-2025)
The table shows data on internet access frequency for individuals aged 16 to 29 years old over the years 2021-2025. Data reveals a steady and inexorable climb in the EU-27 average, rising from 95.15% in 2021 to 97.67% in 2025. This indicates that by the midpoint of the decade, daily internet access has become a near-absolute constant for young Europeans.
Distribution of Daily Use of Screens During the Day
This chart from the 2026 EU Kids Online report illustrates the temporal rhythms of digital life for 29,169 children across 19 European countries. The data reveal a 'double-peak usage cycle': screen engagement reaches its primary peak in the afternoon after school (80% on average) and a secondary peak in the evening before bedtime (67% on average). While traditional social boundaries such as family dinners remain relatively 'offline' (15% usage), screen use has become a near-universal constant in the morning routines of older adolescents (71% of 15–16-year-olds). A significant trend emerges in the blurring of digital and institutional boundaries among older age groups. While younger children (aged 9–12) report minimal use during the school day, usage among 15–16-year-olds surges to 56% during school breaks and 38% while in class. Furthermore, the data highlight a significant 'sleep displacement' risk: almost half (46%) of 15–16-year-olds remain active after bedtime, with 29% using screens at night.
Estimated Probabilities of 15-Year-Olds Experiencing Poor Mental Health (Anxiety) by Gender and Time Spent on Social Media (2022)
The chart presents the results of a regression analysis based on countries that took both the ICT and the well-being PISA 2022 survey modules: Hungary, Ireland, Slovenia and Spain, covering a representative sample of 40,102 15-year-old students in 1,743 schools in Europe. It indicates that the correlation between time spent using social media and mental health is relatively consistent across genders, with both male and female adolescents reporting higher rates of depression and anxiety as social media usage increases. Yet, other factors other than time spent, or combinations of multiple factors, are likely to influence the relationship between the use of social media and mental health outcomes.
Estimated Probabilities of 15-Year-Olds Experiencing Poor Mental Health (Depression) by Gender and Time Spent on Social Media (2022)
The chart presents the results of a regression analysis based on countries that took both the ICT and the well-being PISA 2022 survey modules: Hungary, Ireland, Slovenia and Spain, covering a representative sample of 40,102 15-year-old students in 1,743 schools in Europe. It indicates that the correlation between time spent using social media and mental health is relatively consistent across genders, with both male and female adolescents reporting higher rates of depression and anxiety as social media usage increases. Yet, other factors other than time spent, or combinations of multiple factors, are likely to influence the relationship between the use of social media and mental health outcomes.
Life-Long Learning: Internet Use for Online Courses by Youth (16-29), 2021-2025
The chart shows data on internet use for individuals aged 16 to 29 years old over the years 2021-2025. The data reveals a significant downward trend in online course participation across the EU-27, falling from a high of 35.4% in 2021 to 22.46% in 2025. Nearly one-quarter of all European youth still rely on the internet for skill development and education, highlighting the internet's continued status as a secondary classroom.
Main Reasons for Social Media Use Among Adolescents
Based on the 2026 Flash Eurobarometer 'Impact of excessive screen time and social media on young people’s mental health' survey of over 23,000 adolescents, this chart identifies the primary and secondary motivations for using social media. The data reveal that entertainment (57% in total) and interpersonal connection (53% in total) are the two main reasons why European youth use social media. While entertainment is the most commonly cited "first" reason (27%), staying in contact with friends and family is a close second, illustrating that social media serves also as essential social infrastructure. Although 40% of adolescents use these platforms to follow influencers or creators, only 29% use them for self-expression or to share their own content. Furthermore, metrics such as receiving likes and followers, are cited as a primary motivator by only 6% of young people.
Mental Health in 15-Year-Olds by Gender (2022)
The chart shows the share of 15-year-olds experiencing poor mental health, specifically symptoms of depression and anxiety, disaggregated by gender. In 2022, nearly half of all adolescents (47%) report symptoms of depression and over half (53%) struggle with anxiety. Female adolescents report higher rates of mental health struggles, with 60% experiencing depression and 65% experiencing anxiety.