Growing Up with Algorithms: Why Youth Mental Health Must Be Part of the AI Debate

The rapid development of Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies is transforming our societies, creating unprecedented opportunities for education, innovation, and economic growth. Yet behind this progress lies a question that policymakers and educators cannot ignore: What does this digital transformation mean for the mental health of young people?

Today’s generation is the first to grow up fully immersed in a constantly connected environment. In Europe, more than 80% of young people use social media on a daily basis, making digital platforms a central part of how they communicate, learn, and form their identities (Eurostat 2025).

Social media platforms, recommendation algorithms, and AI-driven technologies increasingly shape how young people access information, interact socially, and perceive themselves (European Parliament Research Service). While these tools offer significant benefits, excessive exposure to digital environments can also intensify stress, social comparison, and digital dependency. Recent international studies suggest that around one in seven adolescents globally experiences a mental health condition, highlighting the importance of supportive and healthy digital ecosystems (WHO Europe Report 2025).

As Europe accelerates its digital transition, the conversation around Artificial Intelligence must go beyond technological capability. It must also address well-being, resilience, and the psychological impact of digital environments. In fact, surveys show that a majority of young Europeans report concerns about the effects of social media and online pressure on their well-being.

The European Union has already taken important steps toward promoting responsible and ethical AI. However, protecting young people requires continued collaboration between policymakers, educators, researchers, and civil society. Organizations such as CARDET, through initiatives like the European Union Presidency Project (EUPP5), contribute to this dialogue by highlighting the link between technological innovation, social responsibility, and youth well-being.

Europe’s challenge is not only to innovate technologically, but to ensure that digital progress ultimately strengthens, rather than undermines, the well-being of the next generation.

The project “Towards an open, fair and sustainable Europe in the world – EU Presidency Project 2024-2026” is co-funded by the European Union and implemented by Global Focus, Grupa Zagranica, CARDET, and CONCORD, the European Confederation of NGOs working on sustainable development and international cooperation. Project Number: 2024 / 459-484. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of CARDET and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

Veronica Charalambous,
Senior Communications Officer, CARDET

The article was published at the PolicyPress.