🔦 🔍💡 Addictions and screen use among 16‑30 year olds: changing consumption patterns, but a significant rise in negative consequences on mental health, daily life, and road safety. #YouthAddictions #RoadSafety #HealthPractices📊📱 77% of young consumers have experienced at least one negative situation related to their usage (substances, screens, social media) and 86% have taken risks on the road after consumption. #MentalHealth #HealthLiteracy
📌 This barometer provides recent, robust, and segmented figures on consumption (alcohol, cannabis, drugs, screens, social media) and their effects among 16‑30 year olds.A prevention coordinator, educator, facilitator, or road safety officer can use it to objectify their territorial diagnostics, tailor messages to audiences (age, status, living location), and advocate for their programmes to decision-makers.
- 📜🔗ℹ️➕ https://www.macif.fr/assurance/la-macif/rse-et-engagements/prevention/barometre-des-addictions
- Complete report 2025 - https://www.macif.fr/files/live/sites/maciffr/files/maciffr/LeGroupe/Barometre_des_addictions_2025.pdf
- Summary - results of the 2025 barometer - https://www.macif.fr/files/live/sites/maciffr/files/maciffr/LeGroupe/Synthese_5eme_edition_2025.pdf
- Infographic - http://www.macif.fr/files_macif/maciffr/LeGroupe/Infographie_MACIF_2025.pdf
1. Analytical summary
Context, audiences, and issues
This annual Ipsos/MACIF barometer focuses on 3,500 young people aged 16 to 30, surveyed online between 17 April and 12 May 2025, according to a representative sampling plan (gender, age, socio-professional category, region) and an ISO 20252 certified CAWI methodology.
Since 2021, it has been tracking changes in the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, synthetic drugs, cocaine, heroin, screen time, and social media use, cross-referencing these with indicators of mental health, social life, and road safety.
The results show a rather downward trend in alcohol consumption, an increase in cannabis and hard drugs, as well as a very high level of hyper-connectivity (screens, social media) that now affects the vast majority of young people, particularly those under 20, the inactive, students, and those living in shared accommodation.
The negative consequences associated with these uses (negative emotions, academic/professional failure, isolation, suicidal thoughts, violence, accidents) have risen sharply over five years, particularly among regular consumers of substances other than tobacco.
Operational contributions for the field
The document provides detailed data by gender, age group, status (studies, employment, unemployment), living situation (alone, in a couple, with parents, student residence, shared accommodation) and field of study, allowing for precise targeting of actions.
It documents the motivations for use (to relax, to have fun, to conform to the group, normalisation of risk) and the effects felt (sleep disturbances, isolation, difficulties in disconnecting from screens) as well as the strategies already implemented by some young people to limit their digital consumption (disabling notifications, unsubscribing, digital detox).
The results on road safety (86% have already used at least one means of transport under the influence of substances, 72% use a screen while driving, 93% while walking or on a scooter) provide powerful levers for local campaigns.
Finally, the detailed methodology (survey plan, weighting, quality control, confidence intervals) makes it a solid resource to support funding applications, local health plans, health education programmes or risk reduction actions.
2. Key points of the document
Prevalence and trends of consumption
Regular alcohol consumption concerns 46% of 16‑30 year olds, a slight decrease compared to 2021, but alcohol remains the most consumed substance, ahead of tobacco (28% regular consumers) and cannabis (11%). (p.4‑6)
At the same time, the proportion of young people who have never consumed hard drugs remains the majority, but regular consumption of ecstasy/MDMA/GHB, cocaine and heroin reaches 8 to 9% and is increasing, especially among men, higher socio-professional categories and young people living in shared accommodation or student residences. (p.4‑6)
Explosion of screen time and social networks
39% of young people spend at least 6 hours a day in front of interactive screens and only 20% remain below the threshold of 2 hours daily, with even higher levels among 16‑19 year olds, the inactive, students and those living with their parents. (p.6, p.13)
On average, young people have an account on 3.9 social networks (4.3 for 16‑19 year olds), and 36% spend 4 hours or more each day on these platforms, mainly for entertainment, passing the time and staying in touch with their loved ones. (p.24‑27, p.53‑54)
Usage motivations: normalisation, relaxation and stress management
The dominant motivations for alcohol, cannabis and screens are "not to abuse it too often", "it's for fun" and "it helps to de-stress", which reflects a strong normalisation and a function of emotional regulation. (p.7‑8, p.15)
A significant fraction of young people report consuming to cope with disappointments, add more intensity to life or "lose control", which refers to uses aimed at self-therapy and the search for thrills. (p.8, p.15)
Negative consequences and mental health
77% of young people who have consumed at least one substance (excluding tobacco) have experienced at least one negative consequence, up from 68% in 2021, and 52% report multiple episodes of this type. (p.10, p.22‑24)
The most frequent situations are more negative emotions (60%), academic or professional failures (40%), social isolation (36%), financial problems (32%), sexual disorders (28%), suicidal thoughts (26%) and violent behaviour towards oneself (26%). (p.22‑24)
Road risks and smartphone use while mobile
86% of young consumers have taken at least one mode of transport under the influence of substances, and 68% have done so multiple times, particularly to return on foot, by public transport, by bike, by car or by scooter. (p.14‑16, p.31‑33)
72% of young people using car/scooter/bike and 93% of those moving on foot/scooter report using their smartphone while mobile at least sometimes (calls, texts, social media, selfies, streaming), although 78% acknowledge the danger to themselves and 75% to others. (p.18‑21, p.39‑41, p.48)
3. Action points for local stakeholders
Adapt messages by age, status and living environment
Use fine segmentations (age, socio-professional category, studies/employment, shared housing, student residences, living with parents) to build tailored workshops and campaigns: focus on cannabis and hard drugs in student collectives, focus on screens/social networks among high school students and the inactive, etc. (p.5‑6, p.13, p.31‑33, p.51‑53)
Data allows for collaboration with schools, local missions, youth centres, youth worker hostels or student residences on targeted rather than general actions.
Systematically integrate screens and social networks into addiction prevention
Build specific modules on hyper-connection (screen time, multi-apps, notifications, FOMO) based on figures regarding time spent, motivations and harmful effects (sleep, isolation, behavioural issues, bullying). (p.6, p.24‑30, p.53‑57)
Offer workshops on "digital governance" with young people: notification settings, screen time tracking, digital detox, defining "offline" periods, relying on practices already adopted by some of them (disabling notifications, unsubscribing). (p.26, p.30, p.57)
Link addiction prevention and mental health
Use data on negative emotions, suicidal thoughts, self-harming behaviours, sleep disorders and social isolation to create joint pathways between youth structures, specialised prevention, CMP, CJC and listening services (hotlines and chats). (p.10‑12, p.22‑24, p.29, p.56)
Integrate early detection and risk reduction into individual interviews (local missions, shelters, social inclusion structures) using the HAS 2023 recommendations as a methodological framework.
Strengthen targeted road safety prevention focused on substance and screen use
Build, with road safety associations and driving schools, sessions centred on behaviours actually observed: returning on foot, by bike or scooter after consumption, as well as smartphone use while driving or as a pedestrian. (p.14‑16, p.18‑21, p.31‑33, p.39‑41, p.48‑49)
Stage the most frequent scenarios in workshops (young driver reading a message, pedestrian absorbed by social media, scooter after a night out) and work on alternatives (VTC, SAM, organised return, notification management).
Co-build risk reduction actions with young people
Rely on existing strategies (voluntary consumption limitation, deactivation of notifications, occasional detox, choice of public transport) to develop co-created tools (roommate charters, challenges "24 hours without screens", end-of-evening protocols). (p.15, p.22, p.30, p.57)
Involve peers (relay students, ambassadors in high schools, young people in civic service) to convey credible messages, based on the figures from the barometer and national tools (HAS recommendations, OFDT guides).
4. Additional references
🔍➕ For more information, see the articles referenced by "Health Practices" on the topic of addictions ➡️🔗https://pratiquesensante.odoo.com/4-5-les-addictions and on digital technology ➡️🔗https://pratiquesensante.odoo.com/2-6-intelligence-artificielle-numerique
5. Frequently asked questions
What is the studied population and the reliability of the results?
The barometer surveys 3,500 young people aged 16 to 30, via an online questionnaire on a panel, with quotas and weighting (gender, age, socio-professional category, region), and a confidence interval of 95%, making it a solid basis for national analyses. (p.2, p.33‑35)
What substances are most regularly consumed by young people?
Alcohol remains at the top (46% regular consumption), followed by tobacco (28%) and cannabis (11%), while 8‑9% report regular use of hard drugs (ecstasy/MDMA/GHB, cocaine, heroin). (p.4‑6)
How have consumption patterns changed since 2021?
Alcohol and tobacco consumption tends to decrease or stabilise, while cannabis and hard drug use is on the rise again, particularly in certain sub-groups (men, higher socio-professional categories, communal living). (p.3‑6)
What are the main risks identified among young people related to consumption?
77% of consumers (excluding tobacco) report at least one negative consequence: more negative emotions, academic/professional failures, social isolation, financial difficulties, sexual health issues, health problems, suicidal thoughts, violence, and accidents. (p.10‑12, p.22‑24)
What is the extent of screen and social media usage?
39% of young people spend 6 hours or more per day in front of screens, and among those registered on at least one social network, 36% spend 4 hours or more each day; those aged 16‑19 are the most exposed. (p.6, p.24‑27, p.53‑56)
Do young people perceive the risks associated with using smartphones while on the move?
Among those who use it while moving, 78% consider this practice dangerous for themselves and 75% for others, even though a large majority continue to use smartphones and social media while driving or walking. (p.21, p.39‑41, p.48‑49)
Have young people already implemented strategies to limit their digital usage?
Yes, a significant portion has already disabled notifications, limited their news feed, kept their phone away from the bed, or done a "digital detox" of at least 24 hours, but many have never thought about it or have not yet acted. (p.26, p.30, p.57)
6. Rewriting in Easy-to-Read Language
Title
Addictions and their effects on young people (16 to 30 years old).
Summary in Easy-to-Read Language
Researchers ask questions to 3,500 young people in France.
They ask what young people consume: alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, other drugs.
They also ask how much time young people spend on screens.
They look at problems in life: health, school, work, relationships.
Alcohol consumption has decreased slightly but remains very high.
Cannabis and hard drugs are increasing among some young people.
Many young people spend more than 6 hours a day on screens.
These usages create issues: sadness, failure, money, sleep, accidents.
Key points in Easy-to-Read Language
1. What young people consume
Almost one in two young people often drinks alcohol.
One in four young people often smokes tobacco.
About one in ten young people often smokes cannabis.
Some young people regularly take hard drugs.
2. Very high screen time
Many young people spend a long time on their phone, computer or tablet.
Nearly four out of ten young people spend more than 6 hours a day in front of a screen.
Most have multiple accounts on social media.
3. Why young people consume
To have fun with friends.
To relax and relieve stress.
Because they think everyone does it.
4. Problems due to consumption
Many feel sadder or angrier after consumption.
Some miss school or work because of consumption.
Some young people think about suicide or harm themselves.
Road accidents happen after consumption.
5. Smartphone and movement
Many use their phone while driving or walking.
They know it’s dangerous but they often continue.
6. What some young people are already doing
Some turn off notifications on their phone.
Others unsubscribe from accounts that are not good for them.
A few young people stop using screens for an entire day.
7. Cross-sectional analysis – Values of health practices
Literacy : the document uses quite technical language but presents simple graphs, clear percentages and methodological reminders, facilitating reuse with varied audiences if mediation work is carried out.
Empowerment : young people do not participate directly in the design of the barometer, but their regulation strategies (detox, limitation, transport choices) are described and can serve as a basis for empowerment actions. (p.22, p.30, p.57)
Participation : the survey relies on the massive participation of young respondents, but it does not describe mechanisms for co-constructing actions with them; this step remains to be done at the local level.
Community health : the collective dimension appears through living spaces (shared housing, student residence) and the effects on the social network, but the report does not explicitly address structured community approaches. (p.5‑6, p.12, p.24)
Ethics : the methodology follows ISO standards, ICC/ESOMAR codes, and GDPR, but the analysis of the report does not directly question cultural or social biases; professionals must keep this vigilance in mind for interpretation. (p.2, p.32‑35)
Human rights : the data reveals significant vulnerabilities (mental health, violence, harassment), but the report does not explicitly discuss equity, inclusion, or the rights of young people; this needs to be integrated into operational translations. (p.10‑12, p.22‑24, p.29, p.56)
Intersectorality : the text mainly refers to the Ipsos/MACIF partnership and does not develop the links with health, education, justice, transport, digital, which leaves room for appropriation by local actors.
Partnership : the model presented is that of a cooperation between insurer and research institute to produce data, without detailing subsequent operational partnerships with field structures.
Fight against discrimination : the report does not directly address discrimination related to gender, origins, disability or sexual orientation; non-judgment and consideration of diversity must be reconstructed by practitioners from the figures.
8. Assessment of the reliability of the resource
Scientific relevance
The study is based on a sample of 3,500 young people, with quotas and weighting, a standardised CAWI methodology, quality controls and an ISO 20252 certification, which ensures good statistical robustness for national analyses.
The classic limitations of declarative surveys (desirability bias, non-response from the most vulnerable, absence of clinical data) remain, but they are partially compensated by the annual repetition of waves, allowing trends to be tracked since 2021.
Operational relevance
For a field actor, the barometer provides recent, clear and segmented data that can inform diagnostics, educational materials, advocacy and action design, particularly on hyper-connectivity, mental health and road safety.
However, there is a missing section of "recommendations" directly integrated into the report: the articulation with best practice guides (HAS, OFDT, national frameworks on screens) needs to be done by the professionals themselves to translate these results into action plans.