Finland has launched a nationwide consultation seeking the views of parents and other guardians on how children use social media and whether restrictions should be introduced to protect children and young people from potential online harms.

The initiative is being led by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health as part of wider government work examining ways to strengthen the protection of children in the digital environment.

Parents and guardians of children under the age of 18 can participate in the survey. The consultation is scheduled to remain open until October 11 and is also being distributed through schools.

Two-Part Survey

The consultation has been designed in two sections.

The first section asks parents and guardians about children’s social media use in general and whether they believe restrictions should be placed on such use.

The second section allows participants to provide information about how their own children use social media.

Participants can choose to answer only the general section if they do not wish to provide information about their own children.

The questionnaire is available in Finnish, Swedish and English, allowing a broad range of guardians to participate.

Government Working Group

The consultation is connected to a working group established earlier this year to examine ways of protecting children and young people from the harmful effects associated with social media.

The working group has already conducted consultations involving children and young people.

Its interim report was published in June, outlining different approaches that could potentially be considered as part of efforts to improve children’s online safety.

The group is expected to continue its work through the end of 2026.

Focus on Children’s Digital Environment

Social media has become an important part of everyday life for many children and young people.

Online platforms can provide opportunities for communication, learning, entertainment and interaction with peers. At the same time, authorities and experts have raised concerns about harmful content, online harassment, excessive use and other risks affecting young users.

Finland’s latest consultation is intended to bring parents and guardians into the discussion before further policy decisions are considered.

Their experiences can provide information about how children use different platforms and how families approach questions surrounding online activity.

EU Developments Also Considered

The Finnish consultation also takes into account regulatory work being prepared at the European Union level.

The EU is considering measures related to the protection of children and young people when they use certain online services.

Possible areas include age limits and other safeguards relating to social media, online games and video services.

Developments at the European level could therefore influence discussions about national approaches to children’s online safety.

Parents’ Role

The government has emphasized the importance of hearing directly from parents and guardians because they observe children’s everyday use of digital services.

Their responses can provide information about the practical challenges families face and their views on possible restrictions.

The consultation also follows earlier efforts to gather opinions directly from children and young people.

Together, these consultations are intended to give policymakers a broader understanding of the issue before the working group’s final work is completed.

Wider Policy Discussion

The debate over children’s social media use has become an increasingly important policy issue in many countries.

Governments are examining how to balance young people’s access to digital communication with the need to protect them from potentially harmful online experiences.

Finland’s approach is currently focused on gathering evidence and views from families while its working group continues examining possible measures.

The government has not announced a final nationwide restriction on children’s social media use through this consultation.

Instead, the survey is being used to gather information that can contribute to the ongoing policy process.

What Happens Next

The consultation will remain open until October 11, after which the responses can be considered as part of the government’s continuing work.

The working group is expected to continue its preparations during the autumn before completing its mandate at the end of 2026.

The outcome could contribute to Finland’s future approach to children’s digital safety and the regulation or guidance surrounding social media use.

The latest initiative places parents and guardians at the centre of the discussion, giving them an opportunity to share their experiences and views as Finland considers how best to protect children in an increasingly digital environment.