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Social media age limits supported by youth: 'Everything is so much on the phone nowadays'
🇫🇮 Finland /Culture & Society

Social media age limits supported by youth: 'Everything is so much on the phone nowadays'

From Helsingin Sanomat · () Finnish

Translated from Finnish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Finnish youth express support for social media age restrictions, with many agreeing that excessive phone use is prevalent.
  • Most teens surveyed believe age limits, generally between 14 and 16, would not significantly alter their lives.
  • While acknowledging potential benefits like increased face-to-face interaction, some teens also noted that many would likely circumvent such restrictions by faking their age.

Finnish teenagers largely support the idea of age restrictions for social media, with many observing that excessive phone usage is a common issue among their peers. While discussing the topic over ice cream at the Forum shopping center, 11-year-old Martta Karila noted, "Nowadays, everything is so much on the phone." Her friends, Isla Marjosola and Mirjami Kyntäjä, agreed that age limits are a good concept, with Kyntäjä adding that too many teens are currently addicted to their phones. The group, all turning 12 this year, would themselves be excluded from platforms like Instagram and TikTok under proposed limits. However, Marjosola suggested it "wouldn't affect my own life much," as they have other activities and would spend saved time with friends and family.

Nowadays, everything is so much on the phone

— Martta KarilaAn 11-year-old expressing her observation about the prevalence of phone usage among young people.

Elsewhere in Helsinki, 15-year-olds Matti Lille and Antonia Ortiz Myllylahti proposed a 13-year-old age limit for social media. They believe such a restriction would be difficult to enforce, with Ortiz Myllylahti stating directly, "I don't think so," and Lille agreeing, "So many would fake their age." Similarly, 15-year-olds Niilo Mykkönen and Pyry Laitinen, walking on Esplanadi, also found age limits acceptable, suggesting a cutoff around 16. Mykkönen explained, "If you think about someone who has just finished primary school and can see all the stuff on TikTok, X, and elsewhere, it's just crazy." Laitinen added, "There's quite harsh content there."

I don't think so

— Antonia Ortiz MyllylahtiA 15-year-old's response when asked if social media age restrictions would be obeyed.

Despite concerns about enforcement, a recent report by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, based on over 60,000 responses from students, indicates significant social media usage. Nearly a third of children over 11 use social media for 3-5 hours daily, and almost half of 13-17 year olds spend that much time online. About 17% of teens use it for over five hours daily. The report also found that if social media access were restricted, nearly 70% of children believe they would meet friends more often in person and spend more time with family, while over 60% would be more physically active. However, nearly 80% of young people also anticipate watching more television and following news less.

So many would fake their age.

— Matti LilleA 15-year-old agreeing that many young people would circumvent social media age limits.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Helsingin Sanomat in Finnish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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