New data shared by our partner Save the Children Finland paints a vivid picture of just how central digital gaming is to the lives of children and teenagers across the country, and why projects like FAIR GAME matter more than ever.

The Numbers Speak for Themselves

Nearly 79% of young people aged 10 to 19 in Finland game on a weekly basis, and almost 45% play every day. Only less than 4% do not play digital games at all. These figures make one thing clear: for the vast majority of Finnish children and teenagers, gaming is a normal and significant part of everyday life.

More Than Screen Time

It would be a mistake to reduce gaming to mere screen time. For children, it is a living, breathing culture. Finnish children and young people follow streamers, compete in tournaments, attend gaming events, and gather to play together at youth houses. Far from being an isolating activity, gaming builds connections, strengthens problem-solving skills, and fosters social bonds.

The Challenges We Cannot Ignore

However, the picture is not without its difficulties. Young players report time-related issues, with some struggling to manage how long they spend gaming. More concerningly, some children report encountering adults who pose as children online, and a number of young players do not have a trusted adult they feel comfortable talking to about their gaming experiences. These are risks that cannot be overlooked.

Building a Safer Gaming World Together

The safest gaming environment for children is not built by any single actor alone. It requires children, adults, and gaming platforms to work together. This is precisely the vision that drives FAIR GAME: by placing children’s voices at the core of online gaming, the project seeks to reduce risks and amplify the positives, creating digital play spaces that are safer, fairer, and more respectful of children’s rights.

The findings from Finland are an important reminder of why this work matters.