Over 80% of Ukrainian schoolchildren begin to actively use social networks between the ages of 6 and 10 — long before the officially permitted age for registration on platforms. At the same time, every fourth child in Ukraine receives their first device at the age of three.
Over 80% of Ukrainian schoolchildren begin to actively use social networks between the ages of 6 and 10 — long before the officially permitted age for registration on platforms. At the same time, every fourth child in Ukraine receives their first device at the age of three.
Such early steps in the digital space are accompanied by serious threats to the psyche, as most children find themselves alone with destructive content and cyberbullying. This is evidenced by the results of a nationwide study on online child safety, presented by the public organization Dignity Online and the research agency Sense Research in partnership with Save the Children. The survey covered more than 3,000 respondents across the country.
In addition to early exposure to screens, analysts have identified critical safety risks for teens. More than half of those surveyed (54%) have been victims of online bullying in the past year. Children are also regularly exposed to dangerous material: 74% of schoolchildren regularly see violent war footage, 51% encounter extreme weight loss tips and methods, and 36% encounter content about self-harm.
Excessive screen time also has a significant impact on students' daily lives. Due to gadgets, 56% of schoolchildren began to study less, and one in three spends more time online than offline with friends, continuing to scroll through the feed even despite severe fatigue. One in two children has tried unsuccessfully to limit their time online on their own and suffers from FOMO (missed opportunity syndrome), and one in three feels depressed because of constantly comparing their lives to others or even skips meals because of being «hung up» on their phones.
«The most worrying trend is the catastrophic rejuvenation of digital threats. When children from 6 to 10 years old are left alone with cruel military content, cyberbullying, and destructive algorithms, we are talking about a direct threat to their mental health. While the world — from Great Britain to Australia — is introducing strict age restrictions on access to social networks, children in Ukraine remain defenseless online before global platforms. The digital security of the new generation is a matter of national security for the state, which requires a decisive change in state policy and a systemic dialogue between the government, tech giants, and parents,» noted Anastasia Dyakova, founder and CEO of Dignity Online NGO.
Sonya Kush, Director of Save the Children Ukraine, added that digital space often becomes a place of learning and support for children during war, but it should not generate new threats. In her opinion, child protection must necessarily cover both offline and online environments.
The full text of the study can be found on the official Dignity Online platform, and a recording of the panel discussion and detailed presentation is available for viewing on the organization’s YouTube channel.
