At Least 18,000 Children Encounter Sexual Harassment Online Every Week – DNA and Protect Children Bring the Issue to Life at Helsinki's Kansalaistori Square

According to preliminary results from the WHO Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study conducted by the University of Jyväskylä in 2026, nearly one in ten Finnish children aged 11, 13 and 15 experiences sexual harassment on social media every week.* Based on the latest population statistics from Statistics Finland, this corresponds to nearly 18,000 children in these three age groups alone. Several studies also show that younger children experience sexual harassment online, meaning the actual number is likely higher.

The purpose of the installation, which DNA will display at Helsinki's Kansalaistori Square for one week, is to make visible a phenomenon that often remains confined to children's smart device screens, private messages and statistics. According to Protect Children, a significant share of online sexual harassment never comes to the attention of adults, leaving children to process these experiences on their own. According to Council of Europe statistics, 33 percent of children who have experienced sexual violence never disclose their experience to any adult.

The installation features hundreds of eggplant symbols, which are widely recognised in digital communication as a sexual reference. They symbolise the sexually suggestive messages, propositions and contacts that children encounter online. At the same time, the installation highlights the screenshot as a simple but important digital safety skill.

"Many adults think of a smartphone primarily as a device, but for a child it opens up an entire social world. Through the work of Protect Children, we know that children also encounter situations online that they should not have to face or deal with, especially on their own. Children's safety online requires just as much adult presence and support as safety in physical environments. That is why we want to make taking screenshots a family safety skill that every child knows and every adult recognises," says Elina Falzon, Head of Responsibility Partnerships at DNA.

A Single Screenshot Can Help a Child Tell What Happened

The installation also emphasises the importance of screenshots in documenting incidents, seeking help and, when necessary, reporting cases to the authorities.

"Sexual harassment often takes place online in situations that adults cannot see. It may be difficult for a child to explain what happened in their own words, but a screenshot helps show what occurred. It can lower the threshold for asking for help and help ensure that a child is not left alone with their experience. That is why it is important for every child to know how to take a screenshot on their own device," says Katariina Leivo, Senior Specialist at Protect Children.

Learning the Screenshot Rule Together

According to DNA's recent School Survey, taking a screenshot is one of the least agreed-upon rules regarding phone use. Only 31 percent of parents of children aged 5 to 16 who own a personal phone say they have agreed with their child that when strange situations occur online, a screenshot should be taken and shown to a trusted adult. That’s why DNA and Protect Children encourage parents and other trusted adults to discuss in advance with children how to respond to harassment and whom to tell about it. Children should learn how to take screenshots even before receiving their first smart device. When a child reports a worrying online experience, adults should thank them for speaking up. A positive response strengthens trust and makes it easier for the child to share future concerns.

Protect Children's Screenshot Rule:

1. Tell the child that they may encounter strange, confusing or even frightening situations in digital environments. Open and honest conversations help protect the child.
2. Instruct the child to take a screenshot when something confusing happens and show it to trusted adults, as many as needed until they receive help. (A screenshot should never be forwarded or shared!)
3. Practise taking screenshots together, starting with positive and enjoyable content.

Additional guidance for adults on how to respond to screenshot situations is available at: www.dna.fi/kuvakaappaus

*The WHO Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study in Finland, conducted by the University of Jyväskylä, is part of an international research programme carried out in cooperation with the WHO Regional Office for Europe. Hundreds of thousands of 11-, 13- and 15-year-old children and adolescents in Europe, North America and Asia complete anonymous surveys as part of the study. The survey is conducted every four years in approximately 50 countries. The Finnish sample is nationally representative. Questions concerning threats and harmful experiences on social media were included for the first time in the 2022 survey. The results cited here are preliminary findings from the 2026 survey. The latest published HBSC study results for Finland are available in Lahti et al. (2024): https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13034-024-00754-8

**DNA has conducted its School Survey since 2011. The annual survey aims to explore parents’ views on children’s phone purchases and usage. This year’s survey was carried out in Norstat’s online panel between 17–24 February 2026, with 2,100 parents of children aged 5–16 responding.

Photos and videos for media use are available for download here.

Media Inquiries:

DNA Corporate Communications, tel. +358 44 044 8000, communications@dna.fi

Elina Falzon, Head of Responsibility Partnerships, DNA, elina.falzon@dna.fi, Tel. +358 44 044 7116

Katariina Leivo, Senior Specialist, Protect Children (Suojellaan Lapsia ry), katariina.leivo@suojellaanlapsia.fi, Tel. +358 40 081 8030