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Project Working Group for Protecting Children and Young People from the Harmful Effects of Social Media
STM021:00/2026 Body
The objective of the project, based on the Government’s policy guidelines, is to enhance the safety of children’s and young people’s digital growth environments and to protect them from the harms of social media.
[This is a machine translation, we do not guarantee the quality and accuracy of the translations produced.]
Basic information In progress
Project number STM021:00/2026
Case numbers VN/5069/2026
Set by Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
Term/schedule 1.3.2026 – 31.12.2026
Date of appointment 27.2.2026
Type of body Working group
Contact person
Marjo Malja, Sosiaalineuvos
tel. +358 295 163 581
[email protected]
Goals and results
The working group is tasked to:
1. Define the legal and operational parameters relevant to the subject matter.
2. Survey international and EU‑level examples of policy instruments and safety‑enhancing solutions.
3. Prepare a proposal setting out alternative courses of action.
4. Assess the impacts of the alternatives in a cross‑sectoral manner, including effects on children and young people, service providers, public authorities and fundamental rights.
5. Consult children and young people on the alternative models and their impacts.
6. Work in cooperation with key stakeholders, for example through workshops, hearings and other interactive methods.
7. Prepare a draft legislative proposal, should a regulatory solution prove appropriate based on the assessment.
8. Be responsible for the overall project and its progress in line with the established timetable.
[This is a machine translation, we do not guarantee the quality and accuracy of the translations produced.]
Starting points
The theme of children’s and young people’s use of social media cuts across the remits of several ministries, which is why the preparation of measures to promote their safety needs to be carried out by an inter‑ministerial working group. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health coordinates the preparatory work, as the ministry is responsible, among other things, for child protection and efforts to prevent violence against children. This work also addresses online‑facilitated violence and the dissemination of harmful material to children. The preparatory work is steered by the Ministerial Working Group on Children, Young People and Families.
[This is a machine translation, we do not guarantee the quality and accuracy of the translations produced.]
The project aims to strengthen the safety of children’s and young people’s digital growth environments and to protect them from the harms of social media. Its objective is to assess how current practices, policy instruments and regulation meet the needs of the operating environment, and to identify alternatives and models to improve the safety of children and young people. The project will also examine the parameters set by EU law applicable to Finland for any potential protective measures.
[This is a machine translation, we do not guarantee the quality and accuracy of the translations produced.]
On 4 February 2026, the Prime Minister’s Office published a preliminary study on restricting minors’ use of social media and related issues.
Children and young people spend a considerable amount of their time on social media. While most social media services set a minimum age of 13, in practice use often begins much earlier. Although social media can have beneficial effects on children and young people, the observed harmful impacts are significant.
According to the study, in a constantly evolving digital environment a wide range of measures is needed to safeguard the wellbeing of children and young people. Usage restrictions on social media are one potential tool. The study notes that there is abundant research-based evidence on social media’s operating logics and harms, whereas there is comparatively less evidence on effective solutions.
[This is a machine translation, we do not guarantee the quality and accuracy of the translations produced.]
Chairpersons
Person
Role, Term
Puumalainen, Taneli
osastopäällikkö
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
Role: Chair
1.3. – 31.12.2026
Malja, Marjo
Sosiaalineuvos
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
Role: Deputy chair
1.3. – 31.12.2026
Ungrouped
Person
Role, Term
Francke, Laura
opetusneuvos
Opetushallitus
Role: Member
1.3. – 31.12.2026
Kuoksa, Mirka-Tuulia
Hallitusneuvos
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
Role: Member
1.3. – 31.12.2026
Kuusio, Laura
Erityisasiantuntija
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
Role: Member
1.3. – 31.12.2026
Louhi, Tiina
Erityisasiantuntija
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
Role: Member
1.3. – 31.12.2026
Malja, Marjo
Sosiaalineuvos
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
Role: Person in charge
16.2. – 31.12.2026
Malja, Marjo
Sosiaalineuvos
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
Role: Project contact person
16.2.2026 –
Mustonen, Terhi
erikoistutkija
Terveyden ja hyvinvoinnin laitos
Role: Member
1.3. – 31.12.2026
Mäkelä, Amanda
Lainsäädäntöneuvos
Ministry of Justice
Role: Member
1.3. – 31.12.2026
Mäkinen, Kimmo
Johtava asiantuntija
Ministry of Finance
Role: Member
1.3. – 31.12.2026
Patrakka, Roosa
Erityisasiantuntija
Ministry of Transport and Communications
Role: Member
1.3. – 31.12.2026
Pekkala, Leo
johtaja
Taide- ja kulttuurivirasto
Role: Member
1.3. – 31.12.2026
Pulkkinen, Tuomas
Suunnittelija
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
Role: Member
1.3. – 31.12.2026
Puura, Sanna
neuvotteleva virkamies
Ministry of Education and Culture
Role: Member
1.3. – 31.12.2026
Suonvieri, Essi
Erityisasiantuntija
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
Role: Member
1.3. – 31.12.2026
Särelä, Johanna
Assistentti
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
Role: Person in charge
13.2. – 13.2.2026
Developing and statute drafting in the Government
The ministries implement the Government Programme, draft acts and other statutes, and promote reforms through different kinds of projects, working groups and bodies. Information on all this is available on the Government website.
All ministries' projects are available on the Government website valtioneuvosto.fi/en/projects-and-legislation