JRC Science for Digital Wellbeing

In Europe, more than 80% of young people use social media daily. There is growing evidence on the potential adverse consequences of overuse, and the importance of healthy behaviours. JRC investigates the impact of social media on children and adolescents’ well-being, mental health, and academic performance through an interdisciplinary approach, combining technical expertise with knowledge of child development, education, and policy.

An umbrella review mapped major factors influencing social media impact on children, such as platform design, individual characteristics, the amount of time spent and engagement type. Additional research investigated the relation between long social media usage and higher claims of anxiety and depression among 15 years old across Europe.

JRC is also mapping evidence and designing a comprehensive survey linking digital engagement, adolescent well-being, and academic outcomes. This work will inform an EU longitudinal study on adolescents’ well-being as well as interventions addressing adverse social media effects.

In 2024, 14% of the 54 000 calls received by the Safer Internet helplines in Europe concerned online bullying. Yet, despite its rising prevalence increasingly affecting children and young people, there is still no EU-wide agreement on what constitutes cyberbullying.

JRC analysed major components of cyberbullying and how countries across the EU define and fight it, identifying key elements, risks and protective factors. The study, based on a review of scientific literature, policies, and national law, finds that a common definition aligned with intervention programmes and legal instruments, could help create a safer digital environment for children and adolescents.

JRC research responds to the growing use of virtual worlds - persistent, immersive environments blending physical and digital spaces in real time - and the need to understand their impact on users’ well-being.   

Recent studies provide an overview of the state of scientific knowledge from multiple angles: social media, video games, platform governance, content moderation, technological features, user characteristics. The work outlines pathways for future multidisciplinary research, rigorous, inclusive, and policy-relevant studies and sustained cross-sector collaboration among key stakeholders on virtual world applications.  

The JRC hosts the European Centre for Algorithmic Transparency (ECAT), supporting Digital Services Act (DSA) enforcement through technical and scientific expertise.

A major focus is protecting minors by informing regulatory guidance documents such as the Guidelines on the Protection of Minors and by gathering evidence for infringement cases against major platforms in Europe, regarding grievances such as ineffective age verification, addictive design and content ‘rabbit holes’. In addition to carrying out research and investigations, ECAT also gathers insights from across the European research community to inform the Commission’s online safety approaches. 

Digital technologies and AI tools reshape how students learn, but also amplify risks such as distraction, addiction, misinformation, shallow learning, and mental health challenges. Schools are challenged on how to harness the digital transformation benefits without undermining critical thinking, autonomy and long-term understanding.

JRC research examined the integration of well-being principles into digital education, highlighting the need for a balanced use and a school-wide approach involving school leaders, educators, learners and parents.

Work on AI chatbots in K-12 education explored how Large Language Models affect students’ learning. The study suggests promoting AI tools that prioritise explainability and transparent reasoning, and embedding digital and AI literacy into curricula and teacher training.