Europe’s Digital Well-being Crisis: New Studies Raise Red Flags

Screens are everywhere—at work, at school, at home. But a wave of recent European studies suggests that our digital lifestyles may be coming at a bigger cost than many realize.

Children and Adolescents

• In Belgium, a 2022–23 survey of children aged 3–9 found that over 40% of preschoolers already exceed daily screen-time recommendations on weekdays, and more than 70% on weekends. Among 5–9 year olds, 28% surpass the 2-hour daily limit during the week, rising to 61% on weekends.
  ➝ Sciensano report

• WHO Europe reported in September 2024 that problematic social media use among adolescents rose from 7% in 2018 to 11% in 2022, with similar risks emerging around gaming.
  ➝ WHO Europe

University Students and Digital Addiction

• A 2025 randomized trial in BMC Psychology found that training programs targeting “digital addiction” reduced addictive behaviors and improved sleep quality in university students.
  ➝ BMC Psychology

Adults and Work-Life Boundaries

• Remote and hybrid workers are also struggling. A 2025 sociological study highlighted how constant digital connectivity fuels stress and blurs boundaries between home and work, undermining productivity and well-being.
  ➝ European Review of Applied Sociology

Policy Responses in Europe

Governments are beginning to respond:

• Sweden is cutting back on digital tools in preschool, emphasizing analogue learning.
  ➝ Swedish Government
• France has proposed strong limits on screen time for children under 6, including curbs on social media.
  ➝ Euronews
  
• Greece has launched a “Kids Wallet” app to help parents monitor screen time and online exposure.
  ➝ AP News

Means what now?

Europe’s digital future isn’t just about innovation and AI—it’s about health, education, and work itself. These reports show that digital well-being is becoming a public issue: for parents, for schools, for companies, and for governments.