Reports of harmful online content targeting minors double in a year, regulator says

The number of reports about illegal or harmful online content for minors has doubled in Lithuania over the past year, the country’s Communications Regulatory Authority (RRT) announced on Wednesday.

According to RRT data, 607 reports were recorded in the first three months of this year, compared to 302 during the same period in 2025. The authority attributes the surge to both increased public awareness and persistent risks in digital spaces.

“The doubling of reports reflects growing societal vigilance and engagement,” said Jūratė Šovienė, head of the RRT. “However, it also signals that digital risks are not diminishing—some may even be spreading faster and more widely. This underscores the need for stronger prevention, education, and rapid response to ensure a safer online environment, especially for children.”

Of the total reports received, 331 (55%) were confirmed. The majority—98 cases—involved child sexual abuse material. Another 37 reports, suspected of cyber incidents or online fraud, were forwarded to Lithuania’s National Cyber Security Centre. Twenty-one cases, involving content deemed harmful to minors, will be investigated by the Inspector of Journalistic Ethics.

Eleven reports, seven of which involved child sexual abuse material, were referred to the Lithuanian police. An additional 62 confirmed reports were sent to internet service providers, website owners, and social media platforms to remove prohibited content. The remaining 102 confirmed reports were duplicates.