Estonia forms expert council to tackle social media impact on youth mental health

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal has commissioned an advisory council of ten experts to investigate ways to mitigate the negative impact of social media and video games on youth mental health. The council, which includes a neurologist, a clinical psychologist, and representatives from youth organizations, is tasked with providing recommendations for the state, parents, and young people by next year.

The initiative aims to identify digital risks, prevent problematic technology use, and foster a safer online environment through prevention and expertise rather than outright bans. This move follows findings from the ‘EU Kids Online Estonia 2025’ study, which noted increased exposure to disturbing content and excessive internet use among students.

Data from the National Institute for Health Development indicates that in 2022, 8% of 11-to-15-year-olds reported symptoms related to social media addiction, up from 6% in 2018. The study highlighted that 13-year-old girls are a particularly vulnerable group, with 10% reporting addiction symptoms. Research also links prolonged digital communication to decreased life satisfaction, shorter sleep duration, poorer academic performance, and more frequent depressive episodes.