EUKO Short Report SID 2025

Insights from EU Kids Online on the Impact of Digital Technology on Well-Being Brian O’Neill TU Dublin 26 Feb 2025

EU Kids Online is a multinational research network. It seeks to enhance knowledge of European children's online opportunities, risks and safety. It uses multiple methods to map children's and parents' experiences of the internet, in dialogue with national and European policy stakeholders.

Two inputs • Report for Safer Internet Day 2025 “Tech & Teens: insights from 15 studies on the impact of digital technology on wellbeing” • Statement: “Protecting, not excluding: why banning children from social media undermines their rights”

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Challenges some of the simplistic narratives about technology’s impact

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Draws on 15 studies (20202025) carried out by IRTIS at Masaryk University in the Czech Republic

Psychological well-being •

Increased use of social networking apps can lead to slightly reduced positive affect and increased negative affect

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Playing violent video games does not have a direct causal link to increased aggression or decreased empathy in adolescents

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The internet and social media can reinforce health anxiety for some adolescents

Social and Physical Well-being •

Online communication does not diminish social skills

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Consensual sexting is not dangerous for adolescents in terms of their peer relationships

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Positive comments praising beauty ideals on social media can increase body dissatisfaction in adolescent girls

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mHealth apps can improve the physical self-worth of adolescent girls

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Smartphone use does not adversely impact adolescents' sleep

Recommendations 1. Distinguish correlation and causality

2. Be aware of the limitations of causal studies 3. Systematically summarize scientific evidence 4. Put emphasis on the individual characteristics of adolescents

5. Be mindful of the quality of research and scientific publications 6. Be cautious when interpreting the results 7. Mind the effect size 8. Consider alternative explanations 9. Think of the unintended consequences of policies 10. Consider the prevalence and context of online risks

EU Kids Online Statement: “Protecting, not excluding: why banning children from social media undermines their rights”

Bans are problematic •

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"Bans may worsen the situation by pushing children to unregulated spaces."

"Children need digital skills and access to online opportunities."

"Bans can violate children's rights (UNCRC Article 12)."

"Scientific evidence does not support the claim that social media causes mental health disorders."

"Blanket bans ignore children’s voices, undermine their rights, and fail to provide the protection they need when they do go online."

Instead, according to EUKO, we should:

• Strengthen regulations that ensure platforms design safer online environments.

• Promote digital literacy among children, parents, and educators.

• Encourage evidence-based policies rather than blanket bans.

• Respect children’s rights by consulting them on decisions that affect their online participation.

Further details and the report available at:

www.eukidsonline.net