Better Internet for Kids

Here, we take an in-depth look at the latest monitoring information for Sweden.

BIK policies

Policy design asks whether evidence and research support BIK-related policies and whether systems are in place for monitoring and evaluating those policies.

Policy frameworks

Policy frameworks describe the overarching approach for a better internet, and establish the underlying goals, principles and guidelines that shape individual policies within this area.

In Sweden:

• This topic is an important and emerging policy priority, with children’s online protection, digital empowerment, and digital participation partially covered in national/regional laws, regulations and policies.
• There are separate, dedicated policies that addresschildren and the digital environment (protection, empowerment, and participation).
• The BIK+ strategy informs national policies but is not the main influence.

• Children’s rights in the digital environment are implied rather than explicitly recognised in policies regarding children and the digital environment.

   

Read the full Policy monitor country profile for detailed information on key national policy frameworks in Sweden.

Read the full 2025 edition of the Policy monitor report.

Policy design

Policy design asks whether evidence and research support BIK-related policies and whether systems are in place for monitoring and evaluating those policies.

• There is a regular (e.g., annual or bi-annual) nationally representative survey specifically focused on children’s digital activity which informs national policies on this topic.
• Regular (e.g., annual or bi-annual) surveys include measures of children’s experiences of risks, harms and digital well-being.
• Systems are in place at the government level to gather information on children and the digital environment (e.g., dedicated research units, think tanks or commissions).
• Existing national research funding is available for research on children and the digital environment, but this is not explicitly specified.

• Policies are monitored and evaluated but not systematically. It depends on the needs at a particular time or when policies are being considered.

   

Read the full Policy monitor country profile for detailed information on recent national research studies in Sweden.

Read the full 2025 edition of the Policy monitor report.

Policy governance

Policy governance examines how policies are coordinated at the governmental level, whether other implementation bodies are involved in their delivery, and whether structured mechanisms are available to guide their implementation.

• Policy development sits across a range of ministries, with leadership distributed according to the area of specialisation.
• Coordination of policies and their implementation is distributed across multiple entities. 

• One or more programmes of action is/are underway supporting children’s online safety and participation in the digital environment. However, these lack accountabilities such as defined timelines, assigned responsibilities or key performance indicators (KPIs).

   

Read the full Policy monitor country profile for detailed information on key policy governance mechanisms in Sweden.

Read the full 2025 edition of the Policy monitor report.

Stakeholder involvement

Stakeholder involvement enquires how different stakeholders can participate in policy development. Children’s involvement in policy-making is one such key issue. Additionally, international knowledge exchange about children's digital participation is also relevant to this topic.

• There is a designated multi-stakeholder forum in place which facilitates the involvement of all relevant stakeholder groups.
• Members of the public are consulted only when new policies are being developed.

• Children are listened to directly in the policy development process (e.g., through hearings, consultations, specific surveys) but are not formally involved in decision-making.

   

Read the full Policy monitor country profile for detailed information on crucial stakeholder involvement mechanisms in Sweden.

Read the full 2025 edition of the Policy monitor report.

BIK+ actions

Pillar 1 – safe digital experiences

Safe digital experiences refer to actions taken to protect children from harmful and illegal online content, conduct, contact, and risks as young consumers and to improve their well-being online through a safe, age-appropriate digital environment created in a way that respects children’s best interests.

Implementing EU laws

• In relation to the national implementation of the Digital Services Act (DSA), three competent authorities have been designated as digital service coordinators: the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority, the Swedish Agency for the Media and the Swedish Consumer Agency. The Swedish Post and Telecom Authority is designated as the national coordinator.
• The Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) has undertaken specific actions in the implementation of the Digital Services Act (DSA). They have introduced a report form on their website for the public and established a dedicated website, Digital Trygghet. Additionally, PTS has designated Ecpat Sweden as a Trusted Flagger and is currently developing an information campaign aimed at children and young people. Further measures and actions are currently under development.
• The Swedish Agency for the Media is responsible for obligations concerning Art. 28 within the DSA

Harmful online content

• The Radio and Television Act (2010:696) states that user-generated videos, TV shows, and audiovisual commercial messages with substantial depictions of violence of lifelike characters or with pornographic pictures should not be available in a way that there is a substantial risk for children viewing them.
• In Sweden, the Swedish Police Authority have the authority to take action against illegal online content, such as child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and can order its removal or blocking under Swedish law. The Police are the primary authority responsible for handling crimes involving harmful content and can request the removal of such material from the internet. In February 
  2025, the Swedish government stated that it will put forward proposals to enhance the Swedish Police Authority's ability to act against illegal content online.
• The Swedish Agency for the Media plays a key role in regulating media content, particularly in broadcast and online media. However, the agency does not have the direct power to remove harmful content from the internet. Instead, the agency enforces regulations and guidelines on digital platforms and broadcasters to ensure compliance with laws protecting children from harmful content.
• The Swedish Data Protection Authority (IMY) does not have the power to remove content from the internet, but can make decisions if content violates data protection rules. If harmful content is identified, IMY can instruct the party responsible or organisation to remove it. However, IMY does not handle criminal cases such as cybercrimes or defamation—these are the responsibility of the Police.

Harmful online conduct

• Non-consensual sharing of intimate images is considered a criminal act and is covered under the Swedish Criminal Code (unlawful breach of privacy, defamation, exploitation of a child, etc.) depending on the content of the image as well as age and pubertal development of the victim.
• While there is no specific law for cyberbullying or ‘cyberhate’ (‘Näthat’), Swedish law covers online harassment through existing criminal provisions. Online abuse may fall under various offenses, such as: Defamation (Förtal) or insult (Förolämpning). If false and harmful accusations are made online, they can be reported as defamation or insult under Swedish law. Unlawful threats 
  (Olaga hot) and Harassment (Ofredande) can apply if someone is threatened or repeatedly harassed online.
• With regard to cyberbullying, schools and all of their staff are responsible forpreventing and also investigating all forms of harassment or offensive behaviour according to the School Act (2010:800), Chapter 6, Sections 3 and 10. They are also obliged to act to ensure that the harassment or offensive behaviour is stopped. The Swedish National Agency for Education states on 
  its website that social media or other digital communication is included in this responsibility.

Age verification 

• Sweden, through agencies like the Agency for Digital Government (DIGG) and the Post and Telecom Authority (PTS), is actively participating in the European Union's efforts to implement the European Digital Identity (EUDI), which includes the development of digital identity wallets. The decision-making process of making digital identity wallets available to minors is currently ongoing.

Commercial content

• Marketing in social media is, for instance, regulated by the Marketing Act (2008:486). The law says that it must be clear to the viewer that it is commercial content. It must also be communicated directly so the viewer immediately understands that it is commercial; otherwise, it can be a question of hidden marketing. This can be achieved by visibly labelling the content.
   
• The Swedish Consumer Agency provides clear and binding regulations on social media advertising, which include influencer marketing. Specifically, they have issued guidelines emphasizing that influencers must clearly disclose when content is sponsored or otherwise commercial. These rules are enforceable under the Marketing Act (2008:486). The guidelines aim to protect consumers from misleading advertising, with an emphasis on transparency and consumer protection, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children.
• The Swedish Advertisers Association has issued a comprehensive guide to influencer marketing, which outlines the ethical and legal responsibilities of marketers and influencers. This guide focuses on ensuring that all advertising is clearly identified and provides detailed instructions on how influencers should disclose paid collaborations. These recommendations are not statutory but are widely followed within the industry.
• The Swedish Advertising Ombudsman (RO) offers stakeholders the opportunity to receive advice on upcoming campaigns and access to their password-protected Knowledge Portal. The decisions made by the RO also serve as guidance on what constitutes ethical marketing. These decisions provide valuable insights into how advertising practices, including influencer marketing, should be handled to maintain ethical standards and avoid misleading or inappropriate content, particularly when aimed at minors.

• Starting from 01 January 2025, advertisements reported to Reklamombudsman will be evaluated according to the updated International Chamber of Commerce's (ICC) Marketing Code. The new rules include guidelines for AI-generated advertisement, marketing communication delivered via influencers and algorithms, and a new chapter specifically addressing advertising targeted at children and young people. This updated code aims to adapt to emerging digital marketing trends and ensure that 
  ethical practices are maintained in the face of new technologies and strategies.

  Mental health and well-being

• On 10 January 2025, the Swedish government presented a new national strategy within mental health and suicide prevention. The strategy is in force 2025 to 2034 and aims to improve mental health, reduce suicide rates, and address mental health disparities, including among children and young people. The strategy involves 27 government agencies and various stakeholders, coordinated by the Swedish Public Health Agency and the National Board of Health and Welfare.

• In 2024, the Swedish Public Health Agency published general recommendations and guidelines on digital media use for children and young people. The recommendations and guidelines are part of the government assignment the Swedish Public Health Agency has together with the Swedish Agency for the Media, 2023- 2025, on children’s and young people’s digital media use in relation to mental and physical health.

   

Pillar 2 – digital empowerment

Digital empowerment incorporates actions so that all children, including those in vulnerable situations, acquire the necessary skills and competences to make sound choices and express themselves in the online environment safely and responsibly.

Supports for online safety education

•  On 20 November 2023, the government issued the Swedish National Agency for Education with the mandate to develop general advice and recommendations on using teaching tools in education. The Swedish government also started a commission on 25 September 2024 to examine how a regulation for the collection of mobile phones and other electronic communication equipment during the school day could be designed.
• In Sweden, teaching online safety has been integrated into the national curriculum. The curriculum for primary and junior high schools (Lgr22) includes digitalisation and describes it as a “complex world that students need to learn how to navigate.” The curriculum states that there are opportunities as well as risks associated with digital communication and that students need to learn to communicate safely and responsibly.
• Moreover, on 25 February 2025, the official report on new curricula for compulsory schools (SOU 2025:19) was presented to the government. This report also contains proposals concerning changes around education and digitalisation. On 27 February 2025, the Swedish Government announced changes to the curriculum for Swedish preschools. Among other things, the change concerns reduced screen time for the children.

• Sweden has introduced a national initiative to ensure teacher training on online safety through the Safe Internet Use-training module (‘Säker användning av nätet’). This programme is aimed at primary and secondary school teachers, school librarians, and school health staff. The module covers key topics such as young people’s online behaviour, cyberbullying, gaming, and information security. It is based on a collaborative learning approach, encouraging teachers to work together and apply what they learn to their own classrooms. 

   

Digital literacy skills to empower young people

• Starting in 2018, digital competence was integrated into the national curricula for all school forms in Sweden, including the curriculum for pre-schools.
• Sweden's local municipalities have a high level of self-government. Many of the country’s 290 municipalities have digital policy documents addressing digital literacy, e.g., within the Department of Education and Childcare.
• Media literacy is included in the curriculum for all levels of education. The Swedish Agency for the Media coordinates MIL work in Sweden. The agency runs a network with multiple actors from the public and civic sectors engaged in MIL formal and informal education and awareness activities. The agency hosts an online resource bank where members of the network can share resources, such as media and learning material.

Pillar 3 – active participation, respecting children’s rights

Active participation, respecting children’s rights, refers to actions which give children and young people a say in the digital environment, with more child-led activities to foster innovative and creative safe digital experiences.

Active participation

• The Swedish Agency for Youth and Civil Society is responsible for strengthening youth participation in democracy on a national level, and this work is conducted online as well as offline. The National Youth Policy states that young people must have influence in their lives and in societal development, but it does not mandate participation.
• The Swedish Agency for the Media, the Swedish Internet Foundation and Plan International all have material online for both children and teachers to raise awareness of children’s rights concerning the digital environment.

Supporting children's rights

• There is currently no system in place to publish child-friendly versions of policy documents or policy initiatives relevant to BIK+ topics.
• The Convention of the Rights of the Child, incorporated into Swedish law (2018:1197), stipulates all children’s right to information. However, there is no other national system; every authority is responsible for its own methods, dissemination, and phrasing of information. The National Ombudsman for the Child advises on how to communicate directly with children, and there is a national network for agencies concerning communicating with children during crises.
• The Children’s Ombudsman is also tasked with collecting, analysing, and disseminating practices related to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to public entities. The Children’s Ombudsman has also been assigned to develop methodological support for government agencies, municipalities, and regions in their efforts to make their activities known to children.
• The Swedish Agency for Youth and Civil Society is responsible for strengthening youth participation in democracy on a national level. Until 2025, MUCF runs a collaboration with six municipalities and one region. The goal is to develop new methods for increasing young people's knowledge of and participation in local democracy. The focus is to especially promote inclusion of young people who in one way or another feel being excluded from society.

Digital inclusion

• Sweden has undertaken several initiatives to address digital inequalities that may affect children’s ability to participate fully in the digital environment. These efforts focus on improving digital inclusion and ensuring equal access to digital tools.
• In 2016, the Swedish government developed 2016 a national strategy to ensure broadband access across the entire country, including rural and remote areas. The strategy's objective is for all of Sweden to have access to high-speed broadband by 2025.
• A Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) report published in 2024 focuses on addressing digital exclusion in Sweden, especially among vulnerable groups. The report outlines several measures to enhance digital inclusion, 
  including digital literacy training, especially through public libraries and broadband expansion in rural areas. The report stresses the importance of ensuring that all individuals, regardless of background, can fully participate in the digital world through improved access and skills.
• In February 2025, PTS received a new government assignment to investigate the conditions for introducing state support for the expansion, management, and operation of mobile service infrastructure in areas lacking sufficient 
  coverage or capacity. This initiative aims to enhance mobile connectivity across the country, particularly in regions where commercial incentives are insufficient.

BIK+ index 2025: Sweden

The BIK+ index has been developed to provide an aggregated at-a-glance overview of the levels of implementation across the two dimensions, BIK policies and BIK+ actions, in Sweden compared to the EU27+2 average. Values are shown in per cent.

Please note, the data used in this page and the corresponding country profile was collected in February 2025.