Flash Eurobarometer: Europeans call for stronger action on children’s online safety, democratic resilience, defence, and the energy transition

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.

A new Eurobarometer survey released today shows that Europeans are overwhelmingly concerned about all the risks children face on social media. Against the backdrop of increasing reliance on social media, citizens see the need for better protection and tougher action to tackle disinformation. At the same time, given the global challenges, Europeans call for more democratic participation, defence capabilities and clean energy transition.  

Cyberbullying leads the list of perceived risks children face online

A large majority of Europeans want the EU to do more to protect children from the risks online. Europeans are overwhelmingly concerned about all the risks children face on social media. Cyberbullying and harassment top the list of concerns, worrying 71% of respondents, closely followed by fears of online grooming and sexual exploitation (70%), exposure to harmful content such as violence, self-harm or extremism (69%), and misuse of children’s personal data (69%). Significant majorities also point to the risk of children being recruited for illegal activities (64%) and exposed to addictive platform design (60%).

A large majority of Europeans want the EU to do more to protect children from the risks online. 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 (36%) or delayed access (27%). 15% favour reinforcing law enforcement resources, while 13% prefer leaving 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,  Europeans’ indicate as top priorities to tackle false or misleading information tougher sanctions for illegal online content (44%) and stronger rules for platforms (40%), followed by clear labelling of AI-generated or manipulated content (38%), a minimum age threshold for social media access (37%), and greater investment in media literacy and independent fact-checking (29%).

Free speech, fair elections and rule of law are seen as democracy’s core pillars

Europeans also feel attached to the key elements of democracy. Freedom of speech and expression (34%), free and fair elections (32%), and respect for the rule of law and fundamental rights (31%) top Europeans’ list of the most important elements of a democratic society, according to the new survey’s findings. Fighting corruption (28%), transparency and accountability of political leaders alongside an independent justice system (26%), and citizen participation in public debate and decision-making (22%) are also cited as key pillars. Beyond voting, Europeans see forms of more direct participation as an effective way to influence EU decision-making (46%), followed by participation in political movements, parties or unions (42%).

Trust in EU defence capacity on the rise

A strong majority of Europeans (68%) agree that the EU should strengthen its capacity to defend itself autonomously against potential external threats.  56% (+4 pp since January 2026) say, they trust the EU to strengthen security and defence and better protect its citizens.

Renewables and energy efficiency seen as key to easing energy price pressures

The survey also found that more than half of respondents (56%) believe that developing more renewable energy capacity can help the EU to transition away from fossil fuels, while two in five respondents point to energy efficiency measures. 32% also see nuclear energy as a potential solution.

Regarding concrete measures taken by citizens following the increase in energy prices, almost one in three respondents (31%) have reduced their overall electricity consumption, while more than one in four (27%) have started monitoring their energy consumption more closely or reduced their heating or cooling use (26%).The list of measures is completed by adjusting energy use to different times of day to benefit from lower prices (20%), investing in more energy-efficient appliances (16%), comparing or changing one’s energy supplier or contract (14%), and installing or considering installing renewable energy solutions (14%).

Background

The Flash Eurobarometer 584 on EU challenges and priorities (June 2026) was conducted online from the 19th to the 24th of June 2026. Overall, 25,904 EU citizens were interviewed across all 27 Member States.

For more information

Flash Eurobarometer 584