ZAGREB, 27 Nov (Hina) - Young people are digitally literate and globalised, but in Croatia digital practices are used far more for entertainment than for cultural or social engagement, according to research conducted last year by the Ivo Pilar Institute among students in Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik.

The study showed that social stratification strongly shapes young people's opportunities, their choice of study programmes and access to practical training, sociologist Inga Tomić-Koludrović said on Wednesday while presenting the findings.

She added that young people are politically active occasionally but inconsistently, and that their offline support networks typically include only one to five people, while their wide online networks are shaped by the algorithms of global platforms.

She noted that society often holds prejudices against young people "because it doesn’t really understand them". She pointed to differences in digital habits, including gender differences and a divide between self-presentation and cultural engagement, and highlighted value contradictions among young people: "They place a high value on caring for others, yet at the same time are tolerant of responding to violence with violence."

Young people are generally satisfied, but least satisfied with themselves, due to high expectations and excessive pressure. Girls report lower levels of life satisfaction and are more willing to seek help.

A study involving 221 children aged six to eight and one parent, conducted in two waves in 2024 and 2025, found that higher use of entertainment apps among children is associated with lower family satisfaction, while children who spend more time in physical activities and outdoor play are more satisfied with their family life.