Nearly half of all internet users across 20 European Union member states encountered hostile or degrading online messages in 2025, according to fresh data from Eurostat. The findings underscore the persistent and widespread nature of online toxicity across the continent, with significant variation between countries.
Geographic divides in online hostility
The highest shares of users reporting hostile content were recorded in Ireland, Hungary, Finland, and Slovakia. In contrast, the lowest levels were observed in Latvia, Greece, Germany, and Lithuania. This geographic spread suggests that online toxicity is not confined to any single region or political culture within the EU.
Western Europe consistently registered the highest levels of online toxicity during the last quarter of 2025, according to the European Observatory of Online Hate. Southern Europe followed a similar pattern at slightly lower levels, with a notable uptick toward the end of December. Eastern Europe, meanwhile, recorded the lowest overall toxicity levels during the same period.
Who is targeted and by whom?
The hostile messages targeted a wide range of groups and individuals. The most common targets were people attacked for their political or social views, followed by those targeted for their racial or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or religion and beliefs. Messages also targeted individuals based on sex, disability, age, or other personal characteristics.
Research published in the international scientific journal Nature found that young men are consistently the most hostile group in online political discussions. The study noted that “social media platforms may also be intertwined with broader socio-economic and political tensions, produced outside the platforms.” This suggests that online hate is not merely a digital phenomenon but reflects deeper societal fractures.
Antisemitic and anti-Muslim content prevalent
Antisemitic content was frequently linked to racist themes, significantly overlapping with religion and politics. The European Observatory of Online Hate highlighted the deeply ideological and conspiratorial nature of this discourse. Anti-Muslim, anti-LGBTQ+, and anti-refugee content also featured prominently in the toxic landscape.
The persistence of such hateful rhetoric has real-world consequences, as seen in recent events across the continent. For instance, the controversy surrounding the reinterment of Ukrainian nationalist leader Andrii Melnyk has stirred online debates that often spill into offline tensions. Similarly, the lost photos of the 1941 Paris roundup serve as a stark reminder of how hate speech can escalate into historical atrocities.
Platform responsibility and policy responses
The data raises urgent questions about the responsibility of social media platforms. While some companies have introduced moderation tools, the scale of the problem suggests that current measures are insufficient. The European Union’s Digital Services Act, which came into full effect in 2024, imposes stricter obligations on large platforms to tackle illegal content, including hate speech. However, enforcement remains uneven across member states.
National governments are also taking action. Germany, for example, has long had strict laws against online hate speech, yet its relatively low reported levels of toxicity may reflect underreporting rather than an absence of the problem. In contrast, countries like Hungary, which has seen rising political polarisation, report higher levels of hostile content.
The findings from Eurostat and the European Observatory of Online Hate provide a crucial baseline for measuring progress. As Europe grapples with the intersection of digital communication and social cohesion, the data underscores the need for coordinated, evidence-based policies that address both the symptoms and root causes of online toxicity.
