A survey of 4,106 children aged 11 to 17 found that at least 31% of respondents had been contacted by an adult online, and two-thirds of those had experienced sexual abuse.
HELSINKI, 18 September 2025 – At least one in five children have experienced online sexual abuse in Finland with one in three girls impacted, according to a survey by Save the Children which has launched a nationwide digital campaign to better protect children online.
The survey of 4,106 children aged 11 to 17 found that as well as facing sexually explicit messages from peers, at least 31% of respondents had been contacted by an adult online, or someone at least five years older, and two-thirds of those – 67%- had experienced sexual abuse.
Adults sending sexually explicit messages to children was the most common form of abuse reported by the children and messages sent by adults often became sexual in less than an hour. Other forms of reported abuse included requests to perform sexual acts on video.
Adults were using small gifts and, in some cases, resulting to force or threats to groom children. For instance, one in four children who received messages from adults online had been offered a reward in exchange for sexual activity and at least 14% of the children said that an adult had used force or threats them to get their request through.
Children described these acts as distressing, with the majority unable to speak about their experiences to their loved ones. More than half (61%) of the children who had experienced sexual abuse by an adult online had not told anyone and those who had spoken out had shared their experience with friends.
The majority of children who did not report their abuse said it was because they felt the matter was too commonplace and the incident not serious.
Heidi Näppi, Development Manager of Finnish Hotline Nettivihje at Save the Children, said:
"We have cases of children of primary school age and even younger experiencing sexual abuse. It should be known that perpetrators are approaching children in the comfort of their home – where children should be safe and protected – due to easy internet access.
"Children are experiencing sexual abuse online every day. Adults should realise this is the reality of children. The responsibility for children's safety lies with adults, not children. One child's experience of sexual abuse is one too many.”
The survey was conducted in February and March this year by Save the Children in Finland, who operate a hotline service, Nettivihje, where anyone can make a report if they suspect they have come across material or activity related to child sexual abuse online.
Save the Children in Finland is launching a major nationwide campaign on television, social media, and digital outdoor advertising between 18 and 30 September on child sexual abuse. The campaign targets parents of primary school children, urging them to recognise child sexual abuse and take action when they encounter it and offers advice on how to address the issue.
The children rights agency is recommending several preventive measures, including strengthening digital security skills and sex education which target younger children and their parents. Additionally, the responsibility for preventing sexual abuse also lies with the online platforms where child sexual abuse is taking place.
ENDS
Notes to Editors.
Finnish Hotline Nettivihje is a tip service where anyone can make a report if they suspect they have come across material or activity related to child sexual abuse online.
They analyse thousands of tips every year and pass them on to the National Bureau of Investigation. More information on the website: https://www.pelastakaalapset.fi/en/finnish-hotline-nettivihje/
