Swedish authorities are considering adopting Australia-style social media age limits to combat the rising trend of online gang recruitment targeting children.
Social Media Platforms Used for Criminal Recruitment
Swedish police report that criminal networks often make initial contact with children through popular social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. These conversations then move to encrypted messaging apps such as Signal and Telegram, where criminal activities can be planned in secrecy.
A recent 2024 International Self-Report Delinquency Study shows that 11% of Swedish youth are involved in gangs, making Sweden one of the European hotspots for gang-related crime.
Joint Efforts to Curb Online Recruitment
To tackle the problem, Sweden is collaborating with Denmark to pressure tech companies into cracking down on recruitment advertisements targeting young people. This effort highlights the urgency of addressing online crime facilitated by social media.
Momentum Builds for Higher Age Limits
Sweden may follow the lead of Norway, which recently proposed raising the minimum age for social media use from 13 to 15 years. Norwegian parents would still have the option to approve accounts for children under 15. Meanwhile, both the UK and France have introduced measures requiring social media companies to enforce age restrictions or obtain parental consent before accounts are created.
Australia Sets Precedent with Comprehensive Ban
Australia has taken the boldest step by proposing a complete ban on social media for children under 16 years old. The measure aims to enhance online safety and protect minors from exploitation.
Sweden’s consideration of similar regulations underscores the growing international concern over the role social media plays in exposing children to criminal networks.