Is Europe spending too much time online? These are the countries that spend the most time on the internet

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Millions of people spend most of their time online, new global data shows. In a survey of 24 countries—including ten in Europe—an average of 28% of people said they use the internet almost constantly.

The findings come at a time of growing concern about screen addiction, as studies have found that excessive screen time can increase the risk of emotional and behavioral problems in children.

The proportion of those who are online almost constantly was highest in Japan (56%) and South Korea (49%) and lowest in Nigeria (13%) and Greece (14%), according to the study by the US-based Pew Research Center, which was conducted earlier this year.

In Europe, Spain, the UK, France, Sweden, and Italy were the countries that spent the most time on the internet, according to the report. Although internet access varies across Europe, more than 90% of the population in these five countries have broadband access at home, according to the European Union.

Hungary came in last on the list. There, 12 percent of respondents said they did not use the internet at all—more than in any other European country surveyed.

EU warns of dependency

However, this is relatively low compared to other countries in the world. In Kenya and India, for example, 33% and 36% of respondents, respectively, do not use the internet regularly. According to the report, younger adults in all countries use the internet and social media more frequently and are almost always online.

Politicians in Europe have taken note of this. The President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, pointed out the potential harm of social media for young people and compared the dangers to those of alcohol and drugs.

EU digital ministers from three countries call for a minimum age for social media use

“Just as in my day, as a society, we taught our children that they should not smoke, drink, or view adult content until a certain age, I believe it is time we did the same for social media,” she said in a speech to the European Parliament on September 13.

Several European countries have proposed various measures, including regulations for major technology platforms to promote safer online use. They are also calling for restrictions on social media and smartphones in schools.

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), dozens of school systems around the world have banned smartphones in schools in 2024.