Research shows a majority of teens across nine European nations are surviving but not thriving in their digital lives
10/02/2026
On Safer Internet Day, a new report published by Vodafone Foundation and Save the Children has found a significant minority of teens across nine European nations report challenges with their digital lives and self-regulating online, despite strong online safety skills driven by education and awareness campaigns.
Connected Childhood: The State of Digital Wellbeing & Resilience for Children and Young People in Europe surveyed over 7,500 13–18-year-olds across nine European countries using a new Digital Wellbeing and Resilience Index. It presents a mixed snapshot of digital wellbeing and resilience amongst young Europeans in Albania, Greece, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Türkiye and the United Kingdom
Three in ten young people (30%) report frequent stress from being online, and nearly half (45%) worry about missing out when offline. This highlights emerging pressures that may affect wellbeing over time.
As a result of these findings, the two organisations are calling for online platforms to make their services safer by design, including implementing more effective content moderation for underage children, preventing addictive features, and enforcing strong anti-exploitation measures.
Young people are more connected than ever – with 95% online for at least an hour every day (on average across the nine nations) and most (83%) with their own smartphone – and the report found that for some this presents challenges:
Just over one in four young people (26%) have strong digital wellbeing on the Index. Most (64%) fall into a moderate range (averaging 5 to 6 out of 10), suggesting many are managing their digital lives but not fully thriving, while one in ten (10%) score as low on digital wellbeing. Three in 10 young people (30%) reported being online often leaves them stressed or upset, 4 in 10 (41%) worry about experiencing cyberbullying, and almost 6 in 10 (58%) reported often being distracted by notifications when they should be focusing. Half are staying online longer than planned because they are enjoying it so much they don’t want to stop (51%). 1 in 4 (24%) also cite FOMO (fear of missing out) as a reason for staying online longer than they planned, and almost half (45% on average) worry about missing out when offline. Only a third of young people (34% on average across the nations) score good or high (at least 7 out of 10) on the self-management index for their online use, and while around half (49%) score at least moderately well, 1 in 6 (17%) scores low. Just over half of young people (55% on average across the nations) score highly on the digital literacy index, which may be due to technology outpacing digital literacy for some. Around two-thirds say they can understand algorithms (65%) or can identify AI-generated or edited content (63%). UK teens spend the most time online, especially on weekends. Around 1 in 7 (14%) are online for more than 8 hours on weekdays, rising to 1 in 6 during weekends (17%), compared to the nine-nation average of 7% and 12% respectively.
Joakim Reiter, Chief External & Corporate Affairs Officer of Vodafone Group and Trustee of Vodafone Foundation said: “Teens are telling us something important - it's not just social pressure keeping them online - it’s the way apps are built. Doom-scrolling, autoplay and hyper‑targeted feeds are designed to keep them hooked.
“Across Europe, the Skills Upload Jr programme driven by Vodafone Foundation and Save the Children is already supporting millions of young people, giving them the tools to be more resilient online. But it’s time for online platforms to take real responsibility and put young people’s safety and wellbeing first.”
Uju Aderemi, Director of Partnerships for Impact at Save the Children said: “Children have the right not only to be safe online, but to truly thrive there. This Index shows that while young people across Europe are more connected than ever and often find real joy and opportunity online, too many are also experiencing stress, disrupted sleep, and the pressures of an always-on digital world.
“It is a powerful reminder that access alone is not enough. We must equip children with the skills, confidence, and support they need to navigate digital spaces in ways that protect their wellbeing and enable them to flourish. By holding platforms to account, embedding digital wellbeing into education, and meaningfully listening to children and young people, especially those facing additional barriers, we can help create online environments that empower rather than harm. In a connected world, no child should be left behind.”
Young people show strong online empathy
Despite the challenges identified, the Connected Childhood report also found that digital spaces can be places of connection and growth for a generation that has grown up online.
The majority of young people scored strongly on the online empathy index (61%), but only half (54%) agreed or strongly agreed they belonged in at least one supportive online community. In particular, two-thirds (66%) of young people scored highly on the identity and relationships index measuring how comfortable and supported they feel online.
Wide variations in digital wellbeing and resilience across the European nations
Connected Childhood found there are major differences depending on where teens live, suggesting that digital wellbeing and resilience is also shaped by domestic policies, education and wider structural factors.
Notably, 82% of young Romanians scored ‘good’ or ‘high’ on the overall Digital Wellbeing and Resilience Index, combining all the aspects asked about (against an average across the nine nations of 72%). Albania and Türkiye also performed well on multiple aspects, scoring highly on the online empathy and on the identity and relationship domains.
The UK was in line with the nine-nation average on many aspects; 3 in 10 (29%) scored good or high on the digital wellbeing indicator (the nine-nation average was 26%) and 7 in 10 (71%) scored good or high on the overall Digital Wellbeing and Resilience Index.
But UK teens are among the heaviest internet users across these nations, especially on weekends, and on self-management they are below most nations, with 21% scoring low on the self-management index (the average was 17%).
Vulnerable groups most at risk
There were consistently lower scores reported by children and young people experiencing food insecurity, regular anxiety or depression, or who have disabilities or functional difficulties, and on the digital wellbeing indicator for those who identify as non-heterosexual.
This highlighted the importance of embedding knowledge into education systems, working alongside teachers, educators and parents / carers to help them shape healthier norms around digital balance.
Connected Childhood: The State of Digital Wellbeing & Resilience for Children and Young People in Europe surveyed over 7,500 13–18-year-olds across nine European countries using a new Digital Wellbeing and Resilience Index. It presents a mixed snapshot of digital wellbeing and resilience amongst young Europeans in Albania, Greece, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Türkiye and the United Kingdom
Three in ten young people (30%) report frequent stress from being online, and nearly half (45%) worry about missing out when offline. This highlights emerging pressures that may affect wellbeing over time.
As a result of these findings, the two organisations are calling for online platforms to make their services safer by design, including implementing more effective content moderation for underage children, preventing addictive features, and enforcing strong anti-exploitation measures.
Young people are more connected than ever – with 95% online for at least an hour every day (on average across the nine nations) and most (83%) with their own smartphone – and the report found that for some this presents challenges:
Joakim Reiter, Chief External & Corporate Affairs Officer of Vodafone Group and Trustee of Vodafone Foundation said: “Teens are telling us something important - it's not just social pressure keeping them online - it’s the way apps are built. Doom-scrolling, autoplay and hyper‑targeted feeds are designed to keep them hooked.
“Across Europe, the Skills Upload Jr programme driven by Vodafone Foundation and Save the Children is already supporting millions of young people, giving them the tools to be more resilient online. But it’s time for online platforms to take real responsibility and put young people’s safety and wellbeing first.”
Uju Aderemi, Director of Partnerships for Impact at Save the Children said: “Children have the right not only to be safe online, but to truly thrive there. This Index shows that while young people across Europe are more connected than ever and often find real joy and opportunity online, too many are also experiencing stress, disrupted sleep, and the pressures of an always-on digital world.
“It is a powerful reminder that access alone is not enough. We must equip children with the skills, confidence, and support they need to navigate digital spaces in ways that protect their wellbeing and enable them to flourish. By holding platforms to account, embedding digital wellbeing into education, and meaningfully listening to children and young people, especially those facing additional barriers, we can help create online environments that empower rather than harm. In a connected world, no child should be left behind.”
Young people show strong online empathy
Despite the challenges identified, the Connected Childhood report also found that digital spaces can be places of connection and growth for a generation that has grown up online.
The majority of young people scored strongly on the online empathy index (61%), but only half (54%) agreed or strongly agreed they belonged in at least one supportive online community. In particular, two-thirds (66%) of young people scored highly on the identity and relationships index measuring how comfortable and supported they feel online.
Wide variations in digital wellbeing and resilience across the European nations
Connected Childhood found there are major differences depending on where teens live, suggesting that digital wellbeing and resilience is also shaped by domestic policies, education and wider structural factors.
Notably, 82% of young Romanians scored ‘good’ or ‘high’ on the overall Digital Wellbeing and Resilience Index, combining all the aspects asked about (against an average across the nine nations of 72%). Albania and Türkiye also performed well on multiple aspects, scoring highly on the online empathy and on the identity and relationship domains.
The UK was in line with the nine-nation average on many aspects; 3 in 10 (29%) scored good or high on the digital wellbeing indicator (the nine-nation average was 26%) and 7 in 10 (71%) scored good or high on the overall Digital Wellbeing and Resilience Index.
But UK teens are among the heaviest internet users across these nations, especially on weekends, and on self-management they are below most nations, with 21% scoring low on the self-management index (the average was 17%).
Vulnerable groups most at risk
There were consistently lower scores reported by children and young people experiencing food insecurity, regular anxiety or depression, or who have disabilities or functional difficulties, and on the digital wellbeing indicator for those who identify as non-heterosexual.
This highlighted the importance of embedding knowledge into education systems, working alongside teachers, educators and parents / carers to help them shape healthier norms around digital balance.