Finland to survey parents on children’s social media use — YLE News

Finland’s Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has invited parents and guardians to take part in an online survey on how children use social media. Responses will be accepted until Sunday, October 11.

Survey for parents and guardians

The questionnaire is available in Finnish, Swedish and English. Its results will be used in the work of a group appointed by the ministry to examine the protection of children and young people from harm related to social media, YLE News reports.

The ministerial working group is to examine possible ways of reducing the negative impact of social media platforms on minors.

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Discussion on age restrictions

The call to participate in the survey came after the European Union last week announced its intention to restrict access to social media for children under the age of 15. Possible measures mentioned included introducing age restrictions for platforms, limiting access to addictive online games, as well as other mechanisms to protect children and young people.

Finland is actively discussing the potentially harmful impact of social media on children, particularly after Australia introduced a corresponding ban late last year. A survey published last month showed that more than half of Finland’s residents support a ban on social media use for children under 15.