This thematic report investigates how children interact with, understand, and experience generative AI (GenAI) across Europe. Drawing on evidence from 20 countries, the findings show that GenAI is rapidly becoming embedded in youth digital environments, primarily integrated into everyday platforms like search engines, social media, and messaging services.
Children use GenAI mainly for educational support, curiosity, and practical utility, though engagement increases significantly with age and socio-economic status. While young people value these tools, they express concerns about accuracy, privacy, and skill loss. The study recommends child-centric AI governance, default safety protections, and digital literacy over blanket technology bans.
Host project: EU Kids Online
Methodology
The report presents findings from a mixed-methods, cross-national comparative study conducted under wave V of the EU Kids Online network:
- Quantitative survey sample: = 25,592 children aged 9 to 16 across 17 European countries.
- Qualitative interviews: 244 semi-structured interviews with adolescents aged 13 to 17 across 15 countries.
Citation
Staksrud, E., Mascheroni, G., Milosevic, T., Ní Bhroin, N., Ólafsson, K., Şengül-İnal, G., & Stoilova, M. (2026). European children's use and understanding of generative AI (EU Kids Online V Report). EU Kids Online / London School of Economics and Political Science.
Record created:
21 July 2026
This thematic report investigates how children interact with, understand, and experience generative AI (GenAI) across Europe. Drawing on evidence from 20 countries, the findings show that GenAI is rapidly becoming embedded in youth digital environments, primarily integrated into everyday platforms like search engines, social media, and messaging services.
Children use GenAI mainly for educational support, curiosity, and practical utility, though engagement increases significantly with age and socio-economic status. While young people value these tools, they express concerns about accuracy, privacy, and skill loss. The study recommends child-centric AI governance, default safety protections, and digital literacy over blanket technology bans.
Host project: EU Kids Online
Methodology
The report presents findings from a mixed-methods, cross-national comparative study conducted under wave V of the EU Kids Online network:
- Quantitative survey sample: = 25,592 children aged 9 to 16 across 17 European countries.
- Qualitative interviews: 244 semi-structured interviews with adolescents aged 13 to 17 across 15 countries.
Citation
Staksrud, E., Mascheroni, G., Milosevic, T., Ní Bhroin, N., Ólafsson, K., Şengül-İnal, G., & Stoilova, M. (2026). European children's use and understanding of generative AI (EU Kids Online V Report). EU Kids Online / London School of Economics and Political Science.
Record created:
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