Social media top source for EU political news
Social media is the top source of political and social issues for young EU citizens. 42% of those aged 16-30 agree that social media is the top source with television second (39%). The preference for TV is particularly noticeable among those aged 25-30, who are also more likely to use online news platforms and radio (30% and 19% respectively) than 16-18 year-olds (21% and 13%), a new Eurobarometer shows.
The survey was made between 25 September and 3 October 2024 in all 27 EU member states and comprised 25 863 young people aged 16-30.
76% of young people believed they had been exposed to disinformation and fake news in the seven days prior to the survey. 32% report having been exposed ‘sometimes’, 29% ‘often’ and 15% ‘very often’.
In contrast, 14% indicate they have ‘rarely’ been exposed to disinformation and fake news in the past seven days and 5% think they were not exposed at all (‘never’) in the past seven days.
70% are confident they can recognise disinformation. Less than one in five indicate not feeling confident (22% ‘not very confident’ and 4% ‘not at all confident’).
57% of young people say they have used AI-based applications for text, images or video in the past 12 months.
The most common reason, among young people, for using AI is studying and doing research (selected by 36% of respondents).
The second most frequent purpose is for entertainment (29%), closely followed by assistance in schoolwork and creative work (both mentioned by 28% of respondents).
Protecting human rights, democracy and peace are young people’s top-ranking values, with 45% selecting it. This is followed by freedom of speech and thought (selected by 41%).
Lower shares mention values, such as human dignity, including the prohibition of the death penalty, torture or slavery (28%), tolerance and respect for diversity in society (27%), gender equality (26%) and the fight against discrimination and the protection of minorities (24%).
The top three topics that young people would most like to see prioritised by the EU in the next five years are rising prices, cost of living (40%), the environment and climate change (33%), and the economic situation and creation of jobs (31%), closely followed by social protection, welfare and access to healthcare (29%).
Each of the following topics are seen as a priority for the EU by more than one in five respondents: education and training (27%), housing (23%) and the EU’s defence and security (21%).
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