Eurostat report highlights online hate speech exposure in the EU
Online safety concerns grow as Eurostat tracks harmful digital content.
More than half of young internet users in the EU encountered hostile or degrading online content in 2025, according to Eurostat data published to mark the International Day for Countering Hate Speech.
Eurostat said 54.0% of internet users aged 25 to 34 and 53.7% of those aged 16 to 24 had encountered hostile or degrading messages during the previous three months. Exposure declined with age, falling to 46.4% among people aged 35 to 44, 38.9% among those aged 45 to 54, 32.8% among those aged 55 to 64, and 28.1% among people aged 65 to 74.
Among internet users aged 16 to 24, young women reported higher exposure than young men, at 57.2% compared with 50.4%. Eurostat said the pattern was observed across all types of hostile or degrading messages.
For both young women and young men, the most commonly reported hostile messages related to political or social views and racial or ethnic origin. The largest gender gaps were recorded for messages concerning sexual orientation, sex and disability.
Eurostat said hostile or degrading content may be directed at respondents or at other people, and can include messages, comments, photos, memes, videos and other online material.
The findings underline the scale of online hostility facing younger internet users in the EU and the continuing challenge for policymakers, platforms and civil society organisations working on digital safety and content governance.
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