The police are becoming aware of an increasing number of suspected sexual offences committed by minors.

Publication date 10.3.2026 9.27
Type:News item
Smartphone in a child's hand.
Guide children and young people in the safe use of digital devices in accordance with their age and stage of development. For example, the National Cyber Security Centre Finland has compiled and created information security materials for children, parents, and educators .

There has been a sharp rise in the number of suspected sexual offences reported to the police where the perpetrator is a minor. According the National Police Board’s statistics for 2025, the number of suspected criminal offences committed by under-15s has increased by 78 per cent in five years. Among 15- to 17-year-olds, the number has increased by 63 per cent.

The largest increase is in the number of offences related to sexually explicit material involving children. 
“For example, in 2025, the police were notified of 241 cases in which a person under the age of 15 was suspected of distributing sexually explicit material involving children. Exposure to harmful content online can increase a child’s risk of committing a crime themselves, such as sexual violence,” says Chief Inspector Saara Asmundela from the National Police Board. 
 
International research also shows that the number of suspected cases of sexual violence committed by children and young people is on the rise. According to a study conducted in England and Wales in 2022, the most common age of all suspects of sexual violence was 14.  

Online safety and recommendations: How can we protect children under the age of 13 from the dangers of the digital world?

The internet and social media give children and young people the opportunity to search for information, explore the world, pursue hobbies, produce content, and meet peers and people of the same age. At the same time, however, they can potentially be exposed to all the bad things that they may not encounter so easily offline. The evil, harmful, and criminal elements of the offline world are present wherever people are, including online. 
 
The police recommend that parents follow the national recommendations for children aged 0–13 on the use of digital devices during leisure time, published by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare in January 2026. The recommendations were drafted in consultation with a large group of professionals from the education and health sectors. The recommendations seek to promote children’s wellbeing, safety, and learning and prevent the harmful effects of digital devices and exposure to harmful content. 
 
The recommendations also include suggestions for content suitable for different age groups. It should be noted that giving smartphones to under-13s is not recommended. Furthermore, the recommendations state that children under the age of 13 should not use social media. In fact, the minimum age for users of all the most popular social media apps is 13.  The police urge parents to ensure that their children do not use apps that are unsuitable for their age bracket. Furthermore, the recommendations state that children should not be exposed to content or applications that contain material that could harm their development, such as substance abuse, violence, or disturbing or sexual content.

Online content may expose children to sexual violence

Some content on the internet and social media, such as material depicting violence and children in a sexual context, is harmful to viewers of any age. However, children and young people in particular may see things and content online that they do not understand or are not equipped to process at their stage of development. It can be difficult for them to raise such matters with a trusted adult if they cannot articulate how they feel. 
 
The internet and social media also normalise things that might feel strange or wrong offline. Internet users can chat and "make friends" with complete strangers without knowing anything about them at all. People may share information about themselves online that they would not disclose to strangers in their offline lives. Internet users may seek the approval of others by sharing visual content such as photos and videos. Sending a nude photo to a stranger online may not feel as strange as handing over the same photo to a stranger on the street. Messaging with strangers about sexual things can also be easier online than discussing the same topics offline. 
 
The internet is also used to search for information. Children and young people become curious and interested in sexual matters, especially at certain stages of their development. Sex education aims to provide children with the information and skills they need to protect themselves better and act appropriately. Sex education also involves teaching emotional skills and the names of body parts and functions so that children are able to describe where they have been touched, for example, if they are ever subjected to violence.
 
If sex education is not available elsewhere or is insufficient to answer children’s questions, they may, in the worst case scenario, use the internet as a tool for sex education. In such cases, pornography or even illegal material may provide an example for children to follow in their sexual activity, behaviour, and respect or disrespect for the boundaries of others. According to a British study, 27 per cent of young people reported having seen pornography before the age of 11. It has been estimated that children’s exposure to pornography may affect their behaviour and normalise sexual violence, especially against girls and women. 

Protect children from harmful content online

  • As a parent, you should take an interest in your children’s use of digital devices and discuss it with them. 
  • A great way to help your child with this is to give them a stack of sticky notes and make an agreement with them that if they have something on their mind that is difficult to talk about, they can put a sticky note on the fridge door, for example. This acts as a sign that you should prepare for the conversation and create a safe space for it. 
  • Guide children and young people in the safe use of digital devices in accordance with their age and stage of development. For example, the National Cyber Security Centre Finland has compiled and created information security materials for children, parents, and educators (Children’s information security skills | Cyber Security Center). 
  • Arrange meaningful activities for children and young people that do not involve digital devices. Doing things together creates a healthy and safe sense of community and belonging. 
  • Age restrictions for social media, games, and apps must be followed. 
  • The family can agree that children should not shut themselves in rooms (bedrooms or bathrooms) with their phones. The whole family could also leave their phones overnight in the kitchen or living room, for example. The Protect Children Association and DNA have developed a “Phone parking lot” (Phone parking lot) for this purpose. 
  • Use your telecom operator’s technical solutions to filter age-appropriate content for children. For example, you can set time limits for internet use, block your child from viewing harmful content, and control which apps your child can use. 
  • Talk to your child about consent and its importance in relationships. Asking for consent should be a normal part of interaction, and children and young people should be taught how to ask for consent from others. 

More information and support for parents
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