A new Eurobarometer survey has found that Europeans are overwhelmingly concerned about the risks children face on social media, with citizens calling for better protection and tougher action against disinformation. The survey also found rising public demand for greater democratic participation, stronger defence capabilities and a faster transition to clean energy amid mounting global challenges.
Cyberbullying tops the list of concerns
A large majority of Europeans want the EU to do more to protect children online. Cyberbullying and harassment are the most widely cited concern, worrying 71% of respondents, closely followed by fears of online grooming and sexual exploitation at 70%, exposure to harmful content such as violence, self-harm or extremism at 69%, and misuse of children's personal data, also at 69%. Significant majorities also pointed to the risk of children being recruited for illegal activities, cited by 64%, and exposure to addictive platform design, cited by 60%.
Nearly two in three Europeans, 63%, want EU rules restricting children's access to social media by age, whether through an outright ban below a certain threshold, favoured by 36%, or delayed access, favoured by 27%. Only 15% want to see law enforcement resources reinforced instead, while 13% would prefer to leave oversight to parents and schools without further EU intervention.
Two thirds of Europeans, 66%, use social media every day to get information on current affairs or politics. Against this backdrop, respondents named tougher sanctions for illegal online content, cited by 44%, and stronger rules for platforms, cited by 40%, as their top priorities for tackling false or misleading information. These were followed by clear labelling of AI generated or manipulated content at 38%, a minimum age threshold for social media access at 37%, and greater investment in media literacy and independent fact checking at 29%.
Free speech and fair elections seen as democracy's core pillars
Europeans also expressed strong attachment to the core elements of democracy. Freedom of speech and expression topped the list at 34%, followed by free and fair elections at 32%, and respect for the rule of law and fundamental rights at 31%. Fighting corruption, cited by 28%, transparency and accountability of political leaders alongside an independent justice system, cited by 26%, and citizen participation in public debate and decision making, cited by 22%, were also named as key pillars. Beyond voting, Europeans pointed to more direct forms of participation as an effective way to influence EU decision making, cited by 46%, followed by involvement in political movements, parties or unions, cited by 42%.
A strong majority of Europeans, 68%, agreed that the EU should strengthen its capacity to defend itself autonomously against potential external threats. More than half, 56%, said they trust the EU to strengthen security and defence and better protect its citizens, an increase of four percentage points since January 2026.
Renewables and efficiency seen as key to easing energy costs
More than half of respondents, 56%, believe that developing more renewable energy capacity can help the EU move away from fossil fuels, while two in five pointed to energy efficiency measures. Nearly a third, 32%, also see nuclear energy as a potential solution.
On concrete steps taken in response to rising energy prices, almost one in three respondents, 31%, said they had reduced their overall electricity consumption, while more than one in four, 27%, said they had started monitoring their energy use more closely, and 26% said they had cut back on heating or cooling. Other measures cited included adjusting energy use to different times of day to benefit from lower prices, at 20%, investing in more energy efficient appliances, at 16%, comparing or switching energy suppliers or contracts, at 14%, and installing or considering renewable energy solutions, also at 14%.
The Flash Eurobarometer 584 survey on EU challenges and priorities was conducted online between 19 and 24 June 2026, with 25,904 EU citizens interviewed across all 27 member states.
