Estonia is taking a distinctive approach to the growing concern over young people's online lives. On Monday, Prime Minister Kristen Michal convened a ten-member advisory board of national experts to devise ways to mitigate the harmful effects of social media and gaming on youth mental health. The move comes as several European countries tighten controls on digital platforms, but Estonia is deliberately opting for expert-led prevention over outright prohibition.
The panel, which includes a neuroscientist, a clinical psychologist, and the vice-chair of the Estonian National Youth Council, has until next year to produce concrete proposals for the state, parents, and young people themselves. Their mandate covers both social media and video game environments, with the aim of balancing the positive role these digital spaces play in young lives against the need to reduce associated risks.
“Anxiety and mental health problems among young people are a serious and growing concern,” Michal said in a press release. He stressed that “more important than bans is to find solutions that would actually help our young people.” The prime minister added that he convened the board to “find effective ways to reduce the negative effects of social media in cooperation with researchers, youth work specialists and youth representatives.”
At its first meeting, the board elected Andra Siibak, professor of media studies at the University of Tartu, as chair. “We will start looking for and discussing these solutions in the Advisory Board in cooperation with young people to reach recommendations that would be not only science-based but also applicable in the opinion of the target group itself,” Siibak said.
Rising concerns backed by local data
The initiative is grounded in recent Estonian research that paints a worrying picture. The University of Tartu's 2025 EU Kids Online Estonia study found that students are increasingly encountering disturbing content, sexually explicit messages, and excessive internet use. The research also linked children's mental well-being to online bullying and exposure to harmful material.
Data from the National Institute for Health Development's Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study shows a rise in problematic digital use. In 2022, 8% of 11- to 15-year-olds reported symptoms associated with social media addiction, up from 6% in 2018. The figure was higher among girls (10%) than boys (7%), with 13-year-old girls identified as a particularly vulnerable group. The study also found that 63% of girls and 47% of boys spent at least two hours a day on social networks, with usage increasing with age.
Longer use of electronic media for communication was associated with lower life satisfaction, shorter sleep, poorer academic performance, and more frequent depressive episodes. These findings echo broader European concerns about the digital age's impact on mental health.
Estonia's approach stands in contrast to other EU member states. Belgium (Flanders), Bulgaria, Denmark, and Spain have either imposed or are debating restrictions on social media for minors. The European Commission has also been pushing for stronger online safety rules under the Digital Services Act. Estonia's choice to focus on expert advice and youth involvement reflects a belief that sustainable solutions require more than just age limits or time caps.
The advisory board's work will focus on identifying potential risks, preventing problematic digital use, raising awareness among children and parents, and exploring ways to create a safer digital environment that better protects young people's rights, health, and well-being. The panel is expected to deliver its recommendations by early next year.
Meanwhile, the global push for stricter controls continues. Just last week, Meta announced new restrictions on its platforms: Instagram and Facebook will soon lock kids out at midnight and cap their scrolling at two hours a day, part of an $18bn (€15.4bn) settlement with 48 US states. Whether such measures prove effective remains an open question, but Estonia is betting that a more nuanced, evidence-based path will yield better outcomes for its youth.
