Finland PM Supports Under-15 Social Media Ban

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has pointed to social media as a major driver behind declining physical activity among children and teenagers, saying excessive screen time is keeping young people away from sports and hobbies.

Speaking at an event organised by the Finnish Olympic Committee, Orpo said there is a direct link between screen use and how much children move in their daily lives. He described the trend as worrying and said action is needed to reverse it.

At a mobility-focused summit on Wednesday, Orpo voiced support for banning social media use for children under 15, arguing that screen time has become one of the biggest barriers to physical activity among young people.

“I am deeply concerned about the lack of physical activity among children and young people, and the fact that it is increasing,” he said.

The comments come amid growing international debate on regulating social media access for minors. Australia recently became the first country to ban social media for all under-16s, while several European nations are considering similar steps.

Norway and Denmark are among the countries planning restrictions on social media use for children under 15, reflecting a broader push to address the health and wellbeing impacts of excessive screen time.

Finnish authorities and sports organisations have repeatedly warned that declining physical activity could have long-term consequences for public health, increasing the risk of obesity and other lifestyle-related illnesses later in life.