Hostile and toxic messages remain a widespread challenge across online spaces throughout Europe, often targeting individuals based on political beliefs, ethnicity, race, or personal identity. This hostile content is increasingly affecting not only public discourse but also the perceived security of users. Data from Eurostat indicates that in 2025, nearly half of users across 20 EU countries reported encountering messages deemed hostile or degrading.
The prevalence of this content varies geographically; Ireland, Hungary, Finland, and Slovakia recorded the highest rates of exposure, suggesting a more polarized online climate. Conversely, Latvia, Greece, Germany, and Lithuania reported lower levels of such encounters, although the issue persists. Experts suggest these discrepancies are influenced by national political climates and regulatory frameworks.
The targeted nature of the abuse is broad, encompassing political views, racial or ethnic origins, sexual orientation, and disability. Research published in Nature noted that young males are consistently the most active hostile group in online political discussions, suggesting that digital debates often reflect broader societal tensions. Analyzing regional toxicity, Western Europe registered the highest levels in late 2025, while Eastern Europe generally reported the lowest.
Specific forms of hate speech, including anti-Semitic, anti-Muslim, and anti-ref
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