One in four minors in Europe has a relationship with their smartphone that resembles an addiction.
Social PolicyEuropean Union
- Omissions
- The MEP did not cite the specific survey or data source underpinning the 'one in four' figure. The European Commission published a new EU-wide survey on child safety online and screen time on 16 June 2026, one day before the session, which is likely the source the MEP was referencing, but the exact percentage from that survey could not be independently confirmed in the searches performed.
- The definition of 'addiction' versus 'problematic use' or 'excessive use' varies across studies. Most surveys measure self-reported problematic use (e.g., losing control over time spent, neglecting other activities) rather than clinical addiction, which requires a formal diagnosis. The MEP used the term 'resembles an addiction' ('assomiglia a una dipendenza'), which is a more colloquial framing.
- Different studies cover different age ranges for 'minors': some survey ages 12-16, others 11-18, and the exact figure can vary by several percentage points depending on the age range and methodology used.
- The WHO HBSC study (2024, covering 2018-2022 data) found that 11% of adolescents exhibited problematic social media use — a related but narrower measure than smartphone addiction broadly, and lower than the claimed 25%.
- Sources
- PrimaryEuropean Commission — News and MediaA new EU-wide survey confirms the significant impact of excessive screen time and social media on young people's mental and physical health. Published 16 June 2026.
- PrimaryOECD — How's Life for Children in the Digital Age?According to EU Kids Online surveys, on average in the European countries surveyed, around 22% of children aged 12-16 reported having problematic internet use or smartphone-related difficulties.
- PrimaryWHO Regional Office for EuropeNew data from the WHO Regional Office for Europe reveals a sharp rise in problematic social media use among adolescents, with rates increasing from 7% in 2018 to 11% in 2022. This covers social media specifically, not overall smartphone use.