A study conducted by the Institute for Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies highlights a growing trend among 18-year-olds regarding their time spent online. Data collected during the 2025 National Defence Day reveals that 60 percent of young participants use the internet for at least four hours daily, with a clear rise in those spending five or more hours connected.
Social media platforms remain the primary destination for these users, who typically access the web through mobile devices. Almost half of those surveyed spend two to three hours on apps like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram every day, while 13 percent report being active on these platforms for six hours or more. Beyond social networking, gaming and online content consumption serve as the main drivers for this increased usage.
Early digital adoption is also becoming more common. Research shows that 99 percent of respondents began using the internet before age 16, with 39 percent starting before the age of 10. This trend appears slightly more pronounced among young women, who dedicate more time to social media and online searches, whereas young men focus more of their screen time on gaming.
Excessive time online correlates with various personal challenges. Roughly 35 percent of participants reported experiencing at least one negative issue in the 12 months prior to the survey. Emotional distress, such as feelings of loneliness or anxiety, was the most frequently reported problem, affecting 20 percent of those surveyed. Poorer academic or professional performance followed at 17 percent.
The findings arrive during ongoing discussions across the European Union regarding the impact of digital life on younger generations. With concerns about mental health and social isolation increasing, several countries are currently considering measures to regulate or restrict access to social media for minors.