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%).
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.
Read the full press release and the Eurobarometer survey.
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