This report by Save the Children Finland (Pelastakaa Lapset) investigates online sexual violence and peer-to-peer sexting among children aged 11–17 in Finland. Findings show that over a quarter of young people have received sexts, and one in five children, including one in three girls, has experienced online sexual abuse by adults, with contact often being sexualised within an hour. While young people hold mixed views on consensual peer sexting, unwanted explicit content and unsolicited adult approaches remain pervasive. The report highlights significant underreporting due to distress or normalisation and calls for earlier prevention, platform accountability, and targeted adult education.
Methodology
A web-based survey of 4,106 children and adolescents aged 11 to 17 in Finland was conducted in February–March 2025. The majority of respondents (82%) completed the questionnaire in school during class time, while 18% answered independently online.
Country or region of researched population
Finland
Citation
Pelastakaa Lapset ry. (2025). Sitä tapahtuu koko ajan – 11–17-vuotiaiden lasten kokemuksia netissä tapahtuvasta seksuaaliväkivallasta ja ikätoverien välisestä seksiviestittelystä [It happens all the time – 11–17-year-old children’s experiences of online sexual violence and peer sexting]. Pelastakaa Lapset / Nettivihje. https://www.pelastakaalapset.fi/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/nettivihje_sita_tapahtuu_koko_ajan_2025-1.pdf
Record created:
28 July 2026
This report by Save the Children Finland (Pelastakaa Lapset) investigates online sexual violence and peer-to-peer sexting among children aged 11–17 in Finland. Findings show that over a quarter of young people have received sexts, and one in five children, including one in three girls, has experienced online sexual abuse by adults, with contact often being sexualised within an hour. While young people hold mixed views on consensual peer sexting, unwanted explicit content and unsolicited adult approaches remain pervasive. The report highlights significant underreporting due to distress or normalisation and calls for earlier prevention, platform accountability, and targeted adult education.
Methodology
A web-based survey of 4,106 children and adolescents aged 11 to 17 in Finland was conducted in February–March 2025. The majority of respondents (82%) completed the questionnaire in school during class time, while 18% answered independently online.
Country or region of researched population
Finland
Citation
Pelastakaa Lapset ry. (2025). Sitä tapahtuu koko ajan – 11–17-vuotiaiden lasten kokemuksia netissä tapahtuvasta seksuaaliväkivallasta ja ikätoverien välisestä seksiviestittelystä [It happens all the time – 11–17-year-old children’s experiences of online sexual violence and peer sexting]. Pelastakaa Lapset / Nettivihje. https://www.pelastakaalapset.fi/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/nettivihje_sita_tapahtuu_koko_ajan_2025-1.pdf
Record created:
28 July 2026- online-sexual-abuse sexual exploitation grooming
