Nordic prime ministers call for better protection of children and young people on digital platforms

The Nordic prime ministers and heads of government met in Helsinki on 27 October. In their discussions, the leaders highlighted the urgent need to protect children and young people on social media and other digital platforms. They also adopted a joint declaration on the matter.

The declaration points out that smartphones, social media and artificial intelligence pose significant risks to the wellbeing, mental health, learning and development of children and young people, and that the full extent of their impacts is not yet known.

The Nordic leaders want to see a fundamental shift in the way digital platforms are designed. They argue that access to digital platforms is too early, too extensive and not well enough aligned with children’s healthy growth and learning. 

Efforts to protect children and young people online were also on the agenda at the summer meeting of Nordic prime ministers in Denmark this past August. Legislation and recommendations on age limits for social media platforms are currently under preparation in several Nordic countries.

The Nordic leaders’ meeting at the House of the Estates in Helsinki included discussions on the topic with 12–14-year-old students and young politicians.

While in Helsinki, the prime ministers will also be attending the Session of the Nordic Council.

Denmark and the Faroe Islands hold the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2026. Finland currently holds the Presidency of the Nordic Council.

Along with Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen and Prime Minister of the Faroe Islands Beinir Johannesen, the meeting was attended by Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristerson, Norwegian Minister for Nordic Co-operation Åsmund Grøver Aukrust, Prime Minister of Iceland Kristrún Frostadóttir, Prime Minister of Greenland Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Premier of the Government of Åland Katrin Sjögren.