A strong and sustained trend across Europe shows that 92% of Europeans consider strengthening the protection of children and young people online a top policy priority, according to a Special Eurobarometer survey on the Digital Decade.

These findings confirm last year’s results, where more than 9 in 10 Europeans said it is urgent for public authorities to take action to protect children online. Key concerns include the negative impact of social media on mental health (93%), cyberbullying and online harassment (92%), and the need for effective age-restriction mechanisms for inappropriate content (92%).

The survey also highlights rising concerns related to artificial intelligence (AI) adoption. While previous editions emphasised the importance of aligning AI and digital technologies with fundamental rights and values, the latest results point to persistent barriers to usage, including concerns over privacy and data protection (39%), accuracy or misinformation (36%), and ethical risks or misuse of generative AI tools (32%).

In addition, 87% of Europeans believe that online manipulation poses a threat to democratic processes. At the same time, 80% of respondents support careful regulation of AI development to ensure safety, even if this introduces constraints for developers.

The survey also shows ongoing concerns about online platforms, with Europeans reporting personal exposure to fake news and disinformation (53%), misuse of personal data (47%), and insufficient protection for minors (41%). Notably, concerns over fake news and child protection have increased significantly since 2024, rising by 8 percentage points each.

Overall, the findings reflect a broad and growing demand among Europeans for stronger safeguards in an increasingly digital environment, particularly in relation to children’s safety, platform accountability, and the responsible development of artificial intelligence.