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.