Presented by the minister for national education, children and youth, (DP), and by professor Robin Samuel of the University of Luxembourg, the “Rapport national sur la situation de la jeunesse au Luxembourg 2025” analyses the living conditions of young people in an environment increasingly shaped by digital technology.
Produced by the Centre for Childhood and Youth Research at the University of Luxembourg, the report is based in particular on the “Youth Survey Luxembourg” conducted in 2024 among 4,779 young residents aged between 12 and 29. This quantitative survey is supplemented by qualitative interviews and digital diaries, enabling a more detailed analysis of digital media practices and experiences. It examines their digital practices, their relationship with society, and changes in their lifestyles.
According to the study, digital media are now an integral part of young people's daily lives. Some 68.5% of them use social networks at least 20 days a month, and 80% spend at least two hours a day on them. Digital platforms thus influence various aspects of their lives, including social relationships, leisure activities, access to information and the construction of identity.
The report also points out that the constant presence of screens contributes to accelerating the pace of life and generating a feeling of wasting time. Many young people say they find it difficult to detach themselves from their smartphone, often for fear of missing out on information or interaction, a phenomenon described as “fear of missing out”.
Teens aged between 12 and 15 appear to be particularly concerned, as their digital skills and self-regulation abilities are still developing.
The minister for education, Claude Meisch, presented the report alongside the director of the Centre for Childhood and Youth Research. (Photo: MENEJ)
Changing social relationships
The study also highlights a transformation in social practices. Face-to-face meetings between young people have declined in recent years. Only 13.3% of young people aged between 12 and 29 say they meet their friends at least 20 days a month.
At the same time, several indicators suggest a decline in well-being since 2019. Around a quarter of young people say they feel less well than before.
The report also notes an increase in feelings of anxiety among young people aged 16 to 29. The concerns expressed relate mainly to geopolitical and environmental risks. In 2024, the fear of war in Europe was cited by 80.6% of the young people questioned. This was followed by the fear of serious illness, mentioned by 78.9%, as well as environmental pollution and climate change.
These concerns come against a backdrop marked by several recent crises and rapid technological transformations, which are influencing the expectations and outlook of the younger generations.
As well as streaming, social networks and searching for information, young people also spend time on online games. (Graph: Youth Survey Luxembourg)
The use of social networks is also part of active digital practices. According to the survey, 69.9% of young people aged between 12 and 29 publish content themselves on social networks at least once a week. Interaction with the content of other users is even more frequent: 78.2% say they regularly react to publications, for example by ‘liking’, commenting or sharing. These platforms are thus spaces for exchange and participation that structure a significant part of online social life.
The study does, however, identify a minority of users showing signs of problematic use. Around 6% of young people show a high level of dependency on social networks, characterised in particular by a loss of control over the time they spend online, conflicts with friends and family or the use of social networks to escape negative emotions. Adolescents aged between 12 and 15 appear to be particularly affected by these forms of intensive use.
About 6% of young people display a high level of dependency on social networks. (Graph: Jugendbericht)
A report to guide youth policy
The report, published every five years, is intended to serve as a basis for the future national action plan for youth policy, known as Jugendpakt, which is due to be adopted by the end of 2026.
A consultation process has already been launched with stakeholders in the sector and young people themselves, notably through the Youth Sector Conferences and a tour conducted in 2025 with more than 200 young people in different regions of the country.
The minister for national education, children and youth, Claude Meisch, said: “Social networks and smartphones have a direct impact on the lives and well-being of our young people.”
He said the report's findings confirmed the importance of balanced use of digital technology and the need to develop more activities and meeting places away from the screen.