FIRST SURVEY ON THE SOCIAL PERCEPTION OF DIGITAL RIGHTS  – Citizens call for effective protection of their rights in the digital world 

95% of respondents believe that minors are unprotected on the internet and support measures such as parental controls, a mandatory minimum age for access to social media, and the regulation of advertising targeted at children. 

A large majority of respondents (71%) believe that participation on the internet should be linked to mandatory identification, compared with 24% who support anonymous participation. 

The Survey on the Social Perception of Digital Rights in Spain, carried out by Fundación ”la Caixa”, the University of Barcelona, Red.es and Fundación Hermes, shows that 69% of respondents consider the current protection of digital rights to be insufficient, while there is strong public demand for regulation to guarantee online safety. 

Citizens are calling for effective protection of their rights in the digital world, particularly in matters affecting their daily lives and vulnerable groups such as minors. This is one of the key findings of the Survey on the Social Perception of Digital Rights in Spain, the first study to assess the Spanish population’s understanding of digital rights, as well as their views on the risks, challenges and opportunities of the digital environment. 

The project was developed by Fundación ”la Caixa”, Red.es and Fundación Hermes in collaboration with the University of Barcelona, within the framework of the Digital Rights Observatory, and was presented today during the opening day of the “1st International Digital Rights Forum”, organised by the Government of Spain and Mobile World Capital Barcelona. The research offers the most comprehensive picture to date of how digital transformation is experienced by and impacts citizens. 

Which digital rights should be protected by law 

In response to the risks associated with digitalisation, respondents showed broad consensus on the legal protection of activities considered particularly exposed. Almost all citizens believe that privacy and data protection (96%), as well as protection against harassment, hate speech and defamation on digital platforms (94%), should be safeguarded by law. Similarly, 89% believe that the removal of personal information available online and affordable internet access (81%) should also enjoy legal protection. 

Other rights which, according to the majority of respondents, should be legally recognised include freedom of expression on digital platforms (76%), the existence of non-discriminatory algorithms (73%), and the right to human review of automated decisions (72%). 

Respondents mainly identify public administrations (45%) and technology companies (39%) as the entities responsible for guaranteeing digital rights. 

Another key finding is the widespread concern regarding the protection of minors in the digital environment. 95% believe that children are little or not at all safe online, revealing broad consensus on the need to implement protective measures. Parental controls are supported by 96% of respondents, the introduction of a minimum age for smartphone use by 91%, and the regulation of advertising aimed at minors by 96%. 

Regarding preferred sources of information, social media is the primary option among people aged up to 29 (55%). As age increases, other media become more prominent in people’s preferences. 

As for fake news, the majority identify social media (88%) as the environment where it spreads most frequently. In response to this situation, 78% say they regularly verify online content, either by consulting other online sources (53%) or external sources (25%). Meanwhile, 18% admit they do not check whether information is true. Regarding the spread of hate speech, social media (86%) is once again perceived as the platform where these kinds of messages are most often or very often disseminated. 

Risks and online participation 

Regarding online safety, 69% of people with compulsory education feel little or not at all safe on the internet, a figure that falls to 35% among those with higher education qualifications. The main risks associated with internet use identified by respondents are privacy and control over personal data (48%), scams and theft (48%), identity theft (30%), access to false information (25%), and harassment, bullying and insults (19%). One in three people aged between 18 and 29 (33%) say they have experienced online harassment. 

When asked about participation in the digital space, 71% support mandatory identification in order to participate on social media platforms and forums, compared with 24% who support anonymous participation. 

Perceptions of technology companies 

Citizens believe that technology companies hold too much economic power (88%) and possess too much personal information (85%) about individuals through their activities. At the same time, 64% believe these companies provide beneficial 

Artificial Intelligence: limits and development 

77% of respondents are calling for greater regulation of Artificial Intelligence, while 56% would prefer its development to slow down. Meanwhile, 49% believe AI will have positive effects for people like themselves. 

 “Digital rights” as a broader concept 

The report highlights the importance of education and digital literacy in increasing awareness of “digital rights” as an extension of people’s rights in the digital sphere, in a context where seven in ten citizens have heard of the term “digital rights”, but 28% would not know how to explain it. 

Digital skills 

Finally, nine in ten citizens aged between 18 and 44 consider digital technology easy to use, a figure that drops to 46% among those aged over 60 and to 44% among people with lower levels of education, particularly when carrying out relatively complex tasks such as completing administrative procedures online. 

Looking more specifically at administrative procedures, between 70% and 80% of people aged between 18 and 59 state that the digitalisation of public administration has made their lives easier, compared with 49% among those aged over 60. Within this age group, 40% say that carrying out online procedures with public services makes their lives more difficult. 

The research combines a quantitative survey of 2,500 citizens with a qualitative study. Fieldwork was carried out between 20 October and 9 December 2025. 

Survey assessment 

The survey findings were analysed during a round table discussion in which participants addressed the question of whether citizens are truly protected in the digital environment. 

María González Veracruz, Secretary of State for Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence, stated that “this report, resulting from the important work being carried out by the  Digital Rights Observatory, confirms that the measures being promoted by the Government of Spain to protect digital rights are responding to citizens’ concerns, particularly regarding the development of an appropriate regulatory framework and the need to protect our children. We will not take a single step backwards: we have the same rights online as we do in the street”. 

Luisa Alli, Director General of Fundación Hermes, stated that “the data points to a very clear social mandate: stronger guarantees in the digital environment. This means better protection for minors, responding to disinformation, and ensuring that the use of data and technology is governed by clear and enforceable rules”. 

For Jesús Herrero, Director General of Red.es, the report “shows that citizens are calling for an end to a lawless internet and for the creation of a digital environment in which rights are guaranteed to the same extent as in the physical world and placed at the service of citizens”. 

Meanwhile, David Casado, Head of the Foresight, Research and Evaluation Unit at the Social Observatory of Fundación ”la Caixa”, highlighted that “this study confirms that digital rights have moved from being an abstract debate to an everyday concern. Citizens want digital transformation to take place with security, fairness and trust, with particular attention given to the protection of children”. 

According to Jordi Muñoz, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Barcelona, “the survey reveals a highly significant combination: widespread concern and a clear demand for rules and protection mechanisms. The consensus around protecting minors is almost universal, and the overall message is that citizens want digital rights to translate into concrete and measurable measures, while expecting both public authorities and technology companies to play an active role in safeguarding them”.