NORMATIVE

This category maps the normative landscape — the legal, ethical and democratic dimensions of regulating children's access to social media. It includes public opinion data, generational attitudes toward bans, the division of responsibility between schools and parents, and the tension between child protection and digital rights.

Key findings from IPSOS (30-country survey) and Eurobarometer data reveal a strong global mandate: 65% of adults support banning social media for under-14s, with support reaching 80% in France. However, youth themselves overwhelmingly oppose top-down bans (82% against mobile phone bans) while showing high acceptance of collaborative approaches (only 27% oppose co-created rules).

The category also tracks awareness gaps: only 59% of EU citizens know their offline rights apply online, and only 44% believe the EU protects digital rights effectively. These findings are essential for designing regulation that commands both legal legitimacy and social acceptance.

Records 1 - 10 of 11

Awareness of Fundamental Rights Applied Online

Awareness that fundamental rights apply online is in a literacy recession across the EU, with only 59% of citizens cognizant of their digital legal standing — a 3-point decline year-over-year. A massive 43-point gap exists between the Netherlands (82%) and Bulgaria (39%), suggesting that social media intervention will face substantial enforcement challenges.

EU-27 Digital rights awareness Context

Generational Perspectives on Device vs. Content Bans

The data reveals a significant Consensus Gap between hardware restrictions and age-based platform access. While the generations are divided on whether smartphones belong in schools, they are remarkably united on the need to protect children under 14 from social media.

30-country survey (IPSOS Global Advisor) Generational divide on bans Context

Global Public Sentiment on Social Media Bans for Under-14s

A significant mandate for restrictive social media legislation for children under 14. France leads with 80% support. The global average of 65% indicates an internationally recognised solution. Germany is the only country where disagreement (42%) outweighs agreement (40%), suggesting higher cultural value placed on digital autonomy.

30-country survey (IPSOS Global Advisor) Public support for bans Context

How Well the EU Protects Citizens' Rights in the Digital Environment

Only 44% of EU citizens believe the EU protects digital rights well, while 41% believe it does not. With 12% not using the internet at all, any digital regulation faces a legitimacy gap where a large minority of the population does not feel adequately protected.

EU-27 EU digital rights protection Context

How Will Technology Affect Education? (% Positive, by Generation)

Parents with children in school are the most optimistic cohort (31%), but even among this group less than one-third believe the impact will be positive. Only a 3-percentage point difference between Gen Z (28%) and Boomers (25%) suggests that skepticism toward AI in the classroom is not a generational misunderstanding but a widely shared concern.

30-country survey (IPSOS Global Advisor) Tech optimism in education Context

Perceived Urgency to Protect Children Online

Public sentiment across the EU27 demonstrates an overwhelming mandate for regulatory intervention. Mental health risks emerge as the most critical concern, with 93% demanding public action, 67% categorising it as very urgent. Cyberbullying and age-assurance mechanisms are both viewed as urgent by 92% of the population.

EU-27 Public urgency for regulation Context

Policy Feasibility and Youth Sentiment on Digital Regulation

This table tracks the feasibility and acceptance of various regulatory measures from the perspective of adolescents. 82% oppose mobile phone bans, but only 27% oppose collaborative rules, suggesting that co-governance approaches have significantly higher acceptance than top-down restrictions.

EU 27 Youth opposition to bans Context

Public Authorities' Priorities Related to Digital Technologies

Overwhelming public support (83-89%) for proactive digital governance, with security, disinformation and AI ethics as top priorities. This creates a strong political mandate for child protection measures in the digital space.

EU-27 Digital policy priorities Context

Shifting Public Opinion on AI Ban in Schools (2023 vs 2024)

The data reveals a clear hardening of attitudes toward AI in the classroom. Support for an outright ban on AI tools in schools increased from 29% to 36% in one year. The public is now almost evenly split, with 27% undecided — a critical group that policymakers can influence through clear guidelines.

30-country survey (IPSOS Global Advisor) AI in education opinion Context

Who Should Be Primarily Responsible for Teaching Youth?

A strong majority (62%) view Digital Literacy and Online Safety as a school responsibility, placing it in the same category as basic literacy and numeracy. Despite the risks of the digital age, Mental Wellbeing (69%) and Moral Values (72%) are seen as strictly parental duties. The public expects schools to act as Technical Protectors while parents remain the Emotional Guardians.

30-country survey (IPSOS Global Advisor) Education responsibility divide Context