Evidence Library
Comprehensive data charts, academic papers, and statistical analysis on the impact of social media on children and adolescents.
Percentage of 15-years old Having Their Own Smartphone by Socio-Economic Status, 2022
This data illustrates the near-universal level of smartphone ownership among 15-year-olds in Europe, emphasising the minimal disparity between socioeconomic groups across Europe. By the age of 15, owning a smartphone has become the norm across Europe, with an average ownership rate of 98%, and minimal disparities between socioeconomic tiers in most member states. In countries such as Poland, Denmark and Ireland, access is almost universal regardless of background, reflecting a shift whereby social disadvantage is no longer defined by a lack of hardware, but by the ability to manage and limit its use. However, significant economic barriers persist on the European Union's periphery. In Turkey, for example, there is still a 23 percentage point gap between low-socioeconomic status (73.4%) and high-socioeconomic status (96.6%) teenagers, indicating that universal access is not yet a global reality.
Percentage of 8-17-Year-Olds Recalled Use of Services in United Kingdom
This data from Ofcom's 2025 Children's Online Safety Tracker illustrate the changing landscape of digital service usage among UK children (aged 8–17) following the introduction of the UK Online Safety Act and Ofcom's Children's Codes. The data reveal a statistically significant shift towards specific, highly engaging platforms, with usage of TikTok (60%) and Snapchat (50%) increasing four months after the new safety duties came into force. In contrast, legacy social media and messaging services, including Instagram (44%), Facebook (41%) and Facebook Messenger (29%), all experienced significant declines.
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.
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.
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.
Perceptions of AI's Impact on Society (2026)
This chart illustrates the difference in attitudes between parents and young people in the European Union regarding the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on society, as reported by Common Sense Media in 2026. The data reveal a significant 'optimism gap', with young people consistently reporting much higher levels of confidence in AI than their parents. In the short term, for example, 56% of young people believe that AI will benefit society, compared to just 41% of parents. A significant trend emerges when the long-term outlook is evaluated. While youth optimism increases over time, reaching a peak of 59%, parental sentiment shifts towards pessimism. In the long-term projection, parents are more likely to believe that AI will harm society (42%) than help it (40%), marking a 5 percentage point increase in concern compared to the short term.
Perceptions of Efforts to Protect Adolescent Wellbeing Online
This chart from the 2026 Flash Eurobarometer 'Impact of excessive screen time and social media on young people’s mental health' illustrates the 'confidence gap' between adolescents and parents regarding the effectiveness of current online safety measures. The data reveal a clear hierarchy of trust, with both groups identifying parents and relatives (75% of young people and 71% of parents) as the most effective individuals in safeguarding well-being. However, a significant difference emerges when evaluating institutional and corporate responsibility. A significant trend visible is the scepticism of parents towards external actors. They are 15 percentage points less likely than their children to believe that social media platforms are doing enough (37% vs. 52%), and 11 percentage points less likely to trust the efforts of public authorities (42% vs. 53%). Notably, while a majority of young people (52%) believe that social media platforms are doing enough, only a minority of parents (37%) share this view. This represents the lowest level of confidence in the entire dataset.
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").