Underage and online: A troubling trend

Nearly 60% use social media daily, and more than 76% navigate the internet using their own devices. One in eight children shares personal photos online, and significant numbers disclose sensitive information such as hobbies, phone numbers, or exaggerated ages.
Conducted from May to October 2024, the study involved 251 children from urban and rural areas. One in five children reported exposure to age-inappropriate content, including discussions about suicide, drug use, or extreme dieting methods. Alarmingly, nearly half of the participants were unaware of tools like blocking or reporting users.
Not all findings were grim – 84% of children said their parents monitor their online interactions – but risks persist. The study recommends strengthening digital literacy in schools and fostering open conversations at home to create safer online spaces for children.
Kathimerini