Exploring Internet Use Among Young People in the EU

Introduction

In the digital age, the internet has become an integral part of our daily lives. A recent study conducted in the European Union (EU) sheds light on the internet habits of young people aged 16-29, revealing some fascinating insights.

Internet Penetration Among Youngsters

In 2022, a staggering 96% of young people in the EU reported using the internet daily. This figure stands in stark contrast to the adult population, where only 84% engage with the online world on a daily basis.

A Closer Look at EU Countries

When we delve deeper into the statistics, we find that daily internet use among young people exceeded 94% in all EU countries. The lowest percentages were recorded in Italy and Bulgaria, both at 94%, while the highest rates were observed in Ireland (100%) and seven other EU member states: Malta, Luxembourg, Portugal, Czechia, Lithuania, Slovenia, and Latvia, all with 99% or higher.

Bridging the Generation Gap

Interestingly, while young people across the EU consistently reported high daily internet use, there was a more significant variation among adult users. On average, the gap between young and adult internet users in the EU was 12 percentage points (pp). However, in some countries like the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Belgium, and Luxembourg, this gap remained below 7 pp.

Variances in Internet Adoption

Diving deeper into the data, we notice that some EU countries have a wider gap between young and adult internet users. Croatia and Greece, for example, reported a 21 pp difference, while Portugal and Bulgaria both had a 19 pp gap. Poland and Romania weren't far behind, with an 18 pp difference.

The Main Uses of the Internet in 2022

Now that we have a clear picture of internet usage, let's explore how young people put the internet to use in 2022.

Social Media Dominance

The data indicates that in 2022, a whopping 84% of young people used the internet primarily for social media networks. This has been the preferred activity for young people since 2014, with only minor fluctuations in usage.

Reading News Online

Coming in at second place, 68% of young people turned to the internet for news consumption. This trend reached its peak in 2020 (73%) but has since slightly decreased (-5 pp).

The Rise of Internet Banking

Internet banking saw a steady rise among young users since 2014 when it stood at 45%. By 2022, 64% of young people were actively engaged in online banking.

Online Courses Surge

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, online education witnessed significant growth. The percentage of young people taking online courses surged from 13% in 2019 to 35% in 2021. However, in 2022, this figure decreased slightly to 28% (-7 pp), still considerably higher than pre-pandemic levels.

Civic and Political Engagement

Surprisingly, only 23% of young people in 2022 used the internet for civic or political participation. Although this activity has seen a slight increase since 2015, it remains relatively low compared to other internet uses.

FAQs

Q1: What percentage of young people in the EU use the internet daily?

A1: In 2022, a remarkable 96% of young people aged 16-29 in the EU reported using the internet daily.

Q2: Which EU countries have the highest daily internet usage among young people?

A2: Ireland takes the lead with 100%, followed closely by Malta, Luxembourg, Portugal, Czechia, Lithuania, Slovenia, and Latvia, all with 99% or higher.

Q3: Is there a significant difference in daily internet use between young people and adults in the EU?

A3: On average, there is a 12 percentage point (pp) difference between young people and adults using the internet daily in the EU. However, in some countries, this gap is narrower.

Q4: What were the main uses of the internet for young people in 2022?

A4: In 2022, young people primarily used the internet for social media (84%), reading news online (68%), and internet banking (64%).

Q5: Did online education see growth in 2022?

A5: Yes, online education witnessed significant growth in 2022 due to the pandemic, with 28% of young people taking online courses, although this was slightly lower than the previous year.

Q6: How many young people in the EU engaged in civic or political activities online?

A6: Only 23% of young people used the internet for civic or political participation in 2022.

Conclusion

The internet has firmly established itself as an essential part of daily life for young people in the EU. With social media, news consumption, and online banking at the forefront of their online activities, it's clear that the digital world plays a pivotal role in their lives. However, there's still room for growth in areas like online education and civic engagement. As technology continues to evolve, so too will the ways in which young people harness its power for their benefit.