The relationship between media usage and mental well-being 

This year’s focus was on the relationship between media use and mental well-being, reflected in the themes of many of the education materials produced for the week and in many articles in the Mediataito online magazine, published every year in January when the communication campaign starts.

KAVI (part of the Finnish Safer Internet Centre) published the results of a survey on media use among young people and young adults. Interesting facts emerged from the data when the answers were compared with the respondents' assessment of their family or their income level. Young people living in low-income households are more likely than others to have negative media experiences on their smartphones, including hate speech, low self-esteem and, for example, unwise purchasing decisions.

In addition, the knowledge-based orientation of the Finnish Safer Internet Centre activities was further substantiated when the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare (also part of the Finnish centre) published the results of an interview-based survey. The results show that the internet is important for young people to strengthen friendships. However, many also still experience bullying and harassment, incidents of being an outsider, loneliness, and addictiveness. A total of 35 per cent of young people would like to reduce their online use but feel unable to do so. There was also an important message for adults: young people expect adults and service providers to play an active role, for example, by setting limits and providing care.
 

AI from a media literacy perspective 

Artificial intelligence (AI) emerged as the second theme of the year, and this was reflected in the themes of the events and pedagogic materials. These included an extensive learning package on the subject published by the Finnish Broadcasting Corporation Yle, along with the organisation of a family day focused on experimenting and having fun with AI.

The online parents' evening was a success 

As part of the week, the Finnish Safer Internet Centre hosted an online parents’ evening, where keynote speaker Erika Maksniemi spoke about her recent doctoral thesis on good and bad social media, bringing lots of research-based information to the discussion. The other speakers were from Safer Internet partner organisations: the National Audiovisual Institute, Save the Children Finland, and the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare. Topics covered included sexual violence online, survey results, and games education.

Feedback from the event was very positive. Several participants said that the evening had been eye-opening and that they went on to discuss the topics with young people at home. A total of 725 participants registered for the parents' evening, and an additional 141 people have now viewed the recording.

Find out more about Safer Internet Day in Finland or learn about the work of the Finnish Safer Internet Centre more generally.