Evidence Library
Comprehensive data charts, academic papers, and statistical analysis on the impact of social media on children and adolescents.
filtered by Geographical
Perceptions of the importance of digital skills
This table illustrates how the public perceives the importance of digital skills in relation to social, economic and educational factors in the European Union. The data reveal a near-universal consensus that digital literacy is a fundamental utility, with 89% of respondents ("strongly" and "somewhat") agreeing that these skills are essential for basic participation in society, for example, in banking and healthcare. The importance of digital competence is also recognised in the areas of education, with 85% of respondents ("strongly" and "somewhat") agreeing that these skills are essential for navigating the modern economy. The data reveal that 40% of respondents strongly agree that digital skills are essential for formal education and for the safe and responsible use of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Gemini. Furthermore, 80% of the public identifies digital literacy as a prerequisite for a successful career and a defence against misinformation.
Perceptions of the the impact of digital technologies
This table shows the European population’s perception of the impact of digital technologies on education and training. The data reveal a broad consensus on the benefits of digitalisation, particularly regarding innovation and personalisation. A combined 87% of Europeans agree that technology makes education more innovative (35% strongly agree and 52% somewhat agree), and 77% agree that it allows for tailored learning (33% strongly agree and 54% somewhat agree). The survey also highlights a strong belief in the capacity of digital tools to foster inclusion and accessibility. A total of 84% of respondents agree that these technologies can break down barriers for people with disabilities, with 36% strongly agreeing: the highest proportion in the dataset. Similarly, 83% agree that technology makes education more accessible and inclusive overall (31% strongly agree and 52% somewhat agree), and 85% see it as beneficial for lifelong learning (33% strongly agree and 52% somewhat agree). However, the data also reflects significant socio-economic concerns. While the level of agreement is lower than for the benefits, a substantial 67% of Europeans still agree that digital technologies are too expensive for families (21% "strongly agree" and 46% "somewhat agree"). Furthermore, 64% of respondents express concern that these tools can increase inequalities in education (21% "strongly agree" and 43% "somewhat agree").
Positive Perceptions of Social Media (Youth' and Parents' perceptions)
This chart from the 2026 Flash Eurobarometer 'Impact of excessive screen time and social media on young people’s mental health' highlights a notable 'utility gap' in the perceptions of European adolescents and parents regarding the benefits of social media. While there is a relative consensus that these platforms facilitate social connection (70% of young people versus 64% of parents), a significant difference in opinion emerges regarding the educational and expressive value of digital life. Adolescents are twice as likely as their parents to believe that they 'learn a lot' online (65% vs 33%), and nearly twice as likely to view social media as a primary tool for self-expression (62% vs 35%). 63% of adolescents report that social media improves their mood, whereas only 41% of parents observes a similar positive emotional shift in their children. Furthermore, the majority of young people (55%) identify social media as a source of personal confidence.
Preferred information sources for social and political current affairs
This table shows the percentage of people who prefer to get their information about social and political current affairs from the sources listed. TV remains the dominant medium, with 71% of respondents identifying it as a primary source. A significant secondary cluster of sources is closely followed, with nearly equal preference levels: radio (43%), the printed or online press (41%), search engines (40%), social media platforms (40%) and personal networks such as friends and family (40%). Digital-specific and emerging formats are less popular overall, with video platforms cited by 26% of respondents, followed by podcasts (15%) and AI chatbots (9%). Formal institutional sources, such as school teachers or university lecturers, are among the least popular options, with a mere 6% preference. The data indicates a clear hierarchy in which traditional broadcast media still lead, while a broad range of digital and interpersonal sources have consolidated around a 40% share of public preference.
Public Authorities Priorities Related to Digital Technologies
Almost nine out of ten European respondents (88%) state that countering and mitigating the issue of fake news and misinformation online. 83% think it is important for public authorities to shape the development of Artificial Intelligence and other digital technologies to ensure they respect our rights and values.
Public Perception: EU Protection of Digital Rights (2025)
Respondents were asked to what extent they think that the EU protects their rights in the digital environment. Less than half (44%) of respondents think that the EU protects their rights in the digital environment well and 41% of respondents think their rights are not well protected.
Public Urgency: Protecting Children from Online Risks (2025)
Public sentiment across the EU27 demonstrates an overwhelming mandate for regulatory intervention to protect minors online. Mental health risks emerge as the most critical concern, with 93% of respondents demanding public action, 67% of whom categorise it as 'very urgent.' This high level of concern is matched by a near-unanimous call for protection against cyberbullying and the implementation of robust age-assurance mechanisms, both of which are viewed as urgent by 92% of the population.
Share of users in the EU showing patterns of social media addiction, by age groups
This chart illustrates the proportion of EU users exhibiting patterns indicative of social media addiction (based on responders' self-identification of addiction patterns), specifically defined as the tendency to neglect work, school, or family responsibilities. The data reveal a significant 'functional impairment gap' between generations, with around 33% of those aged 16–30 reporting that their use of social media interferes with their daily responsibilities. This rate is almost triple that of the older cohort, with only 12% of users aged 31 and over reporting similar patterns of neglect.
Social Media Participation of Youth (16 to 29 Years Old), 2021-2025
The chart shows data on social media participation (i.e., participation in social networks: creating user profiles, posting messages or other contributions to social media) for individuals aged 16 to 29 years old over the years 2021-2025. The data indicates a significant expansion in social networking engagement, with the EU-27 average rising from 82.9% in 2021 to 89.28% in 2025.
Social Media Platforms Used by Young Users for Information on Political and Social Issues
This chart shows which social media platforms are used most frequently by young people (aged 16–30) in the 27 European Union member states to access information on political issues. Significant regional variations exist among member states beyond the European average: in Italy and Portugal, for example, Instagram usage for news peaks at 59% and 56%, respectively. Although it is used less frequently on average, Facebook remains the primary news source for young people in Lithuania (56%), Hungary (55%) and Croatia (54%). TikTok usage is highest in Austria and Hungary (both 49%), while YouTube is the preferred platform in Ireland and Poland (both 46%). Ireland shows the highest engagement with X (Twitter) at 37%. To better visualise this, select a single social media platform on the X axis.