What changed

MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION

P10_TA(2026)0313

on the impactImpact of social media and the online environment on young people

(2025/2081(INI))

Committee on Culture and Education

PE776.924

European Parliament resolution of 17 September 2026 on the impact of social media and the online environment on young people (2025/2081(INI))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to Articles 2, 3, 114 and 165 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

– having regard to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (the Charter), in particular Articles 1, 21, 23 and 24 thereof,– having regard to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women’s general recommendation No. 35 on gender-based violence against women, updating general recommendation No. 19, published on 26 July 2017,thereof,

– having regard to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women’s general recommendation No. 35 on gender-based violence against women, updating general recommendation No. 19, published on 26 July 2017,

– having regard to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, adopted on 12 December 2006,

– having regard to the 2022 report by the JRC entitled ‘Artificial Intelligence and the Rights of the Child’,

– having regard to the Commission communication of 14 July 2025 entitled ‘Guidelines on measures to ensure a high level of privacy, safety and security for minors online, pursuant to Article 28(4) of Regulation (EU) 2022/2065’,– having regard to the Commission’s 2024 guidelines for school leaders, teachers and educators entitled ‘Wellbeing and mental health at school’, and to its 2024 guidelines for education policymakers entitled ‘Wellbeing and mental health at school’,2022/2065’,

– having regard to the Commission’s 2024 guidelines for school leaders, teachers and educators entitled ‘Wellbeing and mental health at school’, and to its 2024 guidelines for education policymakers entitled ‘Wellbeing and mental health at school’,

– having regard to the Commission’s 2022 ethical guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and data in teaching and learning for educators, which were revised in 2026,

– having regard to the Commission staff working document of 3 October 2024 entitled ‘Executive summary of the fitness check of EU consumer law on digital fairness’ (SWD(2024)0231),

– having regard to its resolution of 26 November 2025 on the protection of minors online,– having regard to its resolution of 17 January 2024 on virtual worlds – opportunities, risks and policy implications for the single market,online,

– having regard to its resolution of 17 January 2024 on virtual worlds – opportunities, risks and policy implications for the single market,

– having regard to its resolution of 12 December 2023 on addictive design of online services and consumer protection in the EU single market,

Inclusion, equity and accessibility

✦ Drops the requirement to collect disaggregated data by gender, age, racial or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, sex characteristics and disability, leaving only disaggregated data in full respect of privacy safeguards.

78. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to adopt targeted and inclusive measures to protect children and young people in vulnerable situations in the digital environment, including by ensuring safe, accessible and inclusive online spaces, promoting fair representation, developing and supporting awareness-raising campaigns, and guaranteeing rapid, affordable and geographically accessible mental health and psychological support services; stresses the need to ensure that digital, media and AI literacy programmes are equally accessible to all children and young people, paying particular attention to those most at risk; underlines the importance of collecting disaggregated data, including by gender and age, as well as, where appropriate, by racial or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, sex characteristics and disability,data in full respect of privacy safeguards, when conducting research, in order to better understand differential impacts on vulnerable groups and inform targeted policy responses;

79. Stresses that anti-gypsyism constitutes a specific form of racism, rooted in the historical discrimination and social exclusion of Roma and Traveller communities; underlines that anti-gypsyism often remains undetected, as it is not always recognised as a form of discrimination by institutions or the wider public; stresses, therefore, the need to provide regular and comprehensive training for online platforms, content reviewers and relevant stakeholders on the detection, recognition and effective response to anti-gypsyism, in order to ensure equal protection and accountability; stresses that organisations representing groups with limited resources, including minority and marginalised communities, such as the Roma community, should not be disadvantaged in efforts to combat online hate;

100. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission, and to the governments and parliaments of the Member States.

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

In accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, for the purposes of this report, references to “children” should be understood as referring to any person below the age of 18, unless a different definition applies under any of the specific legal acts referred to in this report. References to “young people” should be understood more broadly as also encompassing young adults who may be particularly exposed to risks in the digital environment.

Digital platforms have transformed how young Europeans live, learn, and connect, putting them at the heart of childhood and adolescence today. According to the Joint Research Centre, more than 80 % percent of young people in Europe use social media daily, with time spent online having more than doubled since 2010. Eurostat data show that in 2024, 97 % of people aged 16–29 in the Union accessed the Internet daily, and almost nine in ten engaged on social networks. These figures underline the deep digital immersion of young Europeans in the online environment but also highlight the urgency of ensuring that their online environment is safe, inclusive, and supportive of their well-being.

The Rapporteur recognises the multiple opportunities digital platforms bring access to information, new forms of creativity, peer support, and channels for civic mobilisation. Yet these benefits come with equally profound risks. The WHO and the OECD have documented a marked rise in problematic social media use among adolescents, which now affects more than one in ten and is linked to emotional withdrawal, sleep disruption, and impaired concentration. A recent EU study found that over a third of 15-year-olds spend more than three hours per day on social media, with those spending longer hours reporting higher rates of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Girls are particularly affected, especially in relation to body image pressure and exposure to online harassment. These trends demonstrate why the Union must respond decisively, building on its existing legal frameworks while adapting to new challenges.

Coherence of the EU legal framework

The Union has already established a robust legal framework through the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD), the Digital Services Act (DSA), and the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act). Together, these instruments address privacy, harmful content, online advertising, and algorithmic accountability. However, fragmentation and uneven enforcement create persistent gaps. Influencers and professional content creators often operate at a scale comparable to broadcasters but fall into regulatory grey zones. The Rapporteur stresses thus the need to ensure full coherence across instruments, particularly with the forthcoming Digital Fairness Act, so that children enjoy equal protection regardless of the platform or service.

The next AVMSD revision: a crucial opportunity

The upcoming revision of the AVMSD provides a timely opportunity to modernise the Union’s audiovisual legal framework. The Rapporteur stresses the need to assess whether its scope should be extended to reflect the realities of today’s media ecosystem, in which influencers and content creators act as de facto media service providers. Applying core provisions, such as advertising transparency and protection of minors to major video-sharing platforms (VSPs) and influencer-driven content would close current loopholes and align responsibilities more closely with those of traditional broadcasters. This would help ensure a consistent level of protection for children across audiovisual environments.

Artificial intelligence and algorithmic risks

AI-driven services are increasingly shaping children’s experiences online: from personalised recommendation engines to conversational chatbots and automated moderation. These technologies hold potential but also present new risks of bias, manipulation, and privacy intrusion. Without strong safeguards, algorithmic systems may reinforce harmful stereotypes, amplify polarisation, or expose children to manipulative content. The Rapporteur therefore stresses the importance of full enforcement of the AI Act, particularly the obligations on transparency, risk assessment, and safeguards for children’s rights. Algorithmic accountability is not simply a technical matter, it is a democratic imperative to ensure that young people understand, in age-appropriate ways, how their online environment is shaped.

Mental health, harmful content, and age assurance

Mental health concerns are at the core of the debate. Excessive and compulsive social media use has been associated with anxiety, depression, and lower well-being, while constant exposure to addictive design features undermines healthy development. To address these risks, the Rapporteur calls for a mix of preventive and regulatory measures: privacy-respecting age verification system, interoperable with the European Digital Identity Wallet, effective parental controls, and default safety by design. Platforms must also take greater responsibility in moderating harmful or manipulative content and in adapting algorithms to reduce exposure to addictive features.

Cyberbullying, influencers and gender-based harassment

Cyberbullying remains one of the most widespread online harms faced by children and adolescents. Preventive action must combine awareness programmes in schools, teacher training, accessible reporting mechanisms, and peer support structures. Influencers also play a major role in shaping the consumption habits and values of young people. Clearer rules on sponsorship disclosures, transparency obligations, and ethical standards, particularly in relation to child influencers, are necessary to avoid misleading marketing and protect minors from covert advertising.

The Rapporteur further emphasises the gendered nature of online harms. Evidence shows that girls and young women are disproportionately targeted with harassment, misogynistic content, and body image pressures. Gender-sensitive safeguards must therefore form part of the Union’s digital protection framework, ensuring that online spaces are inclusive and empowering for all young users.

Digital literacy, civic participation, and inclusion

Regulation alone is not sufficient. Empowering children through digital and media literacy is essential to equip them with the critical skills needed to navigate social media safely and intentionally. Schools, youth organisations, and civil society must be supported in providing young people with the tools to understand algorithms, resist manipulation, and manage their digital presence responsibly.

At the same time, it is vital to recognise that social media also fosters civic participation and has enabled young people across Europe to mobilise around causes from climate change to gender equality. Ensuring safe and inclusive online spaces will strengthen not only child protection but also youth engagement in European democracy. This also requires attention to inclusion: minority and marginalised communities must be fairly represented, and their identities respected in digital spaces, to foster a sense of belonging.

Monitoring and enforcement

Finally, effective policies require strong enforcement and continuous monitoring. Initiatives such as the BIK+ strategy are valuable, but their success depends on rigorous evaluation and adaptation to new risks, such as algorithmic harms or manipulative persuasive design. The Rapporteur calls on the Commission to assess the effectiveness of current initiatives and to ensure that Union action keeps pace with the rapidly evolving digital environment.

Social media and the current online environment offer opportunities for learning, creativity, and civic participation, but also exposes children to serious risks of harm, manipulation, and exclusion. The Rapporteur therefore calls for a comprehensive European strategy combining safety-by-design, algorithmic transparency, privacy-first age assurance, education and empowerment, and robust enforcement. By closing regulatory gaps and strengthening accountability, the Union can ensure that children and young people grow up in a digital environment that protects their dignity, supports their well-being, and enables them to thrive as active citizens of tomorrow.