A report by Unicef, based on a survey of 7,675 children and adolescents aged 10 to 20 from Araba, Bizkaia, and Gipuzkoa, titled "Childhood, Adolescence, and Digital Well-being," warns of the pervasive presence of young people on social media platforms.

Ninety-three percent of the surveyed adolescents are registered on at least one social network, and 77.7% are on three or more platforms. The average age for acquiring their first mobile phone is 11.18 years, with 73.7% of those under 13 already active on social media. Regarding time spent, 7.1% dedicate over five hours daily to social media on school days, a figure that rises to 16% on weekends.

The study's authors indicate that this excessive use can lead to addiction; indeed, 4.3% of adolescents exhibit "problematic social media use," a percentage higher among girls (5.5%) than boys (2.8%). Furthermore, the normalization of pornography is a significant issue, with a first contact occurring at age 12, and 30% of respondents admitting to having consumed it at some point.

The excessive use of devices also raises concerns: nearly half of parents (51.6%) discuss digital world risks with their children, but only 42.4% set rules for mobile phone usage. The report emphasizes the need for increased parental mediation, as well as the responsibility of institutions, schools, and the private sector, alongside the active participation of children and adolescents themselves.

The well-being data is alarming: 13.9% of adolescents suffer from symptoms of anxiety, depression, or somatization, and 6.1% show a high risk of suicidal ideation. These risks are notably higher for girls. However, compared to 2021 data, progress has been made in responsible use, including a decrease in passive and active sexting, and a reduction in cyberbullying.