Adolescents in Europe spend on average 4.5 hours a day on screens on weekdays, and 6.1 hours per day on weekends.

Omissions

• The MEP did not cite the source (Flash Eurobarometer 579), though the data was published by the European Commission just one day before the session (2026-06-16).
• The figures are based on self-reported screen time by adolescents themselves; the same Eurobarometer found that parents systematically underestimate their children's screen time (estimating 3.4 hours on school days versus the 4.5 hours self-reported by teens).
• The Eurobarometer covers screen time 'online,' which the MEP equated to 'on screens' — a minor terminological difference but functionally equivalent in context.

Sources

• PrimaryEuropean Commission – Press Release: Child Safety OnlineThe survey showed that on average, young people in the EU spend 4.5 hours online on school days and more than 6 hours at weekends.
• PrimaryFlash Eurobarometer 579 – Impact of excessive screen time and social media on young peopleFlash Eurobarometer 579 surveyed young people aged 13–18 across the EU on screen time and social media use. The survey data underpins the 4.5 hours (school days) and 6.1 hours (weekends) figures.
• Secondary2EU Brussels – Europe's children spend more than six hours a day on screens at weekendsFlash Eurobarometer 579 shows that European adolescents spend an average of 4.5 hours a day on screens on school days and 6.1 hours at weekends.