Smartphone use is declining among small children – but limiting the use is not enough

NEWS

DNA is consistently developing children’s digital safety skills together with its partner Protect Children, which has been organizing digital safety workshops for young schoolchildren for several years. This spring, the company also distributed digital skills exercise booklets to more than 230,000 Finnish homes. Although children are starting to use smartphones later than before, they still face major risks online – which makes digital safety skills more important than ever. The topic is particularly relevant right now, as school summer holidays begin before many parents start their own vacations. In June, many children spend long periods at home and online without adult supervision, which increases the risk of encountering harmful content or inappropriate contact.

Picture: Nina Vaaranen-Valkonen, Protect Children

This spring, an exercise booklet teaching children how to act in challenging situations in the digital environments was distributed to more than 230,000 homes across Finland with Aku Ankka, Helsingin Sanomat and Aamulehti. According to Sanoma, nearly four in five (79%) people in the target group said their interest in the topic increased after receiving the booklet. The booklet can also be downloaded online.

The digital safety workshops are remote workshops for children aged 5–9, attended at school or daycare under a teacher’s guidance with the whole class participating together. In the past couple of years, nearly 30,000 children from more than 170 localities have already taken part in the workshops organized together with Protect Children. The schedules for autumn 2026 workshops are available on Protect Children’s website.

“The work is important and only just beginning. It is important to understand that limiting screen time alone does not protect children in the digital environments, as they are socially very challenging. Children need digital safety skills and support from adults,” says Vilhelmiina Wahlbeck, SVP Communications, Sustainability and Brand Development at DNA.

Parents are concerned – but independent use still starts early

According to DNA’s latest School Survey, this year only 4.5 percent of 5–6-year-olds and 9 percent of 7-year-olds have their own smartphone. This represents an extremely steep drop of tens of percentage points compared with two years ago.

At the same time, independent smartphone use still starts early in many families. Just over one fifth (21%) of 5–16-year-old children who own a smartphone began using the device independently right away. However, parents’ interest in and concern about children’s digital everyday life has increased: About 80 percent of parents want to know which discussion groups their child is part of and what their child posts on social media. 67 percent of parents are concerned that an unknown person may approach the child online for sexual purposes

“It is very positive that parents are taking a greater interest in children’s digital everyday life. At the same time, the study shows that interest alone is not enough; children need concrete skills and guidance,” Wahlbeck says.

Recommendation: no personal smartphone for children under 13

DNA and Protect Children do not recommend a personal smartphone or independent use of the device for children under 13, because their socio-cognitive abilities are not yet sufficient to identify risks or act in threatening situations.

The use of smart devices should first be practiced together with an adult. It is important for adults to remember that no technology or safety setting can replace presence or fully protect a child online.

“Children’s digital safety cannot be solved through restrictions alone. They need skills, understanding and adult support. The situation can be compared to traffic skills: first, you travel the route together with an adult, identify possible danger spots, learn safe road crossings and go through the rules together. Only then is it time to try moving around independently. That is why everyday life needs concrete ways to practice digital safety skills,” says Nina Vaaranen-Valkonen, Executive Director, and Trauma focused cognitive psychotherapist at Protect Children.

Media contacts:

Executive Director Nina Vaaranen-Valkonen, Protect Children, tel. 040 747 8829, nina.vaaranen-valkonen@suojellaanlapsia.fi 

Vilhelmiina Wahlbeck, SVP Communications, Sustainability and Brand Development, tel. 044 040 1671, vilhelmiina.wahlbeck@dna.fi 

DNA Communications, tel. 044 044 8000, viestinta@dna.fi