KidsRights Index 2025 Warns of Alarming Adolescent Suicide Rates, Urges Global Action on Social Media Regulation
Top-Ranked Countries: Greece, Iceland, Luxembourg, Germany; Digital Mental Health Crisis Escalates Globally
Published: June 11, 2025
Global Mental Health Crisis Among Youth
The KidsRights Index 2025 reveals a worsening global mental health crisis among children and adolescents. Suicide is now the third leading cause of death for people aged 15–29, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The report highlights the lack of data and the urgent need for digital and social media regulation to protect young people.
“This year’s report is a wake-up call,” said Marc Dullaert, Founder of KidsRights. “We’re facing a full-blown mental health emergency in children, driven by unregulated digital platforms and social media addiction.”
Problematic Social Media Use Fueling Crisis
The report connects the rise in adolescent social media use with growing rates of suicide attempts. Between 2018 and 2022, problematic social media use among 11–15-year-olds rose from 7% to 11% across 44 countries.
- European 13-year-olds are at highest risk (13%)
- 11-year-olds are most exposed to problematic gaming (13%)
- 39% of 15-year-olds maintain constant digital contact
Digital Regulation: Striking a Balance Between Safety and Rights
While digital protections are improving, the report warns that overregulation may violate children’s digital rights. For example:
- Australia’s social media ban for under-16s could infringe on children’s rights to privacy, education, and freedom of expression.
- France’s 2023 law and Norway’s new proposal offer more balanced frameworks.
Recommended Actions for Governments and Tech Companies
The KidsRights Index 2025 recommends systemic reforms rather than reactive fines:
- Mandatory child rights impact assessments for digital platforms
- Effective age verification systems that do not exclude youth
- Expanded digital literacy and mental health services
- Training healthcare providers to identify tech-induced mental issues
“Awareness alone is not enough,” said Dullaert. “We need coordinated, proactive global strategies that prioritize children’s safety over tech profits.”
Data Deficit Hindering Global Response
The report reveals a global mental health data gap. Only Mongolia has submitted adolescent mental health data in the latest MICS survey round. Comprehensive global data is not expected for another 2–3 years.
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has highlighted rising youth suicide rates in Argentina, Estonia, Israel, and Russia, and urged action in Paraguay, Turkmenistan, and Lithuania.
KidsRights Index 2025 Rankings: Winners and Losers
Top Performers:
- Greece
- Iceland
- Luxembourg
- Germany
- Monaco (up from 18th to 5th)
- Norway (now 8th)
Biggest Climbers:
- Lithuania: 112th → 20th
- Armenia: 125th → 69th
- Argentina: 84th → 48th
Largest Declines:
- Mexico: 42nd → 129th
- Bulgaria: 30th → 105th
Bottom Ranked:
- Afghanistan (194th)
- South Sudan (193rd)
About the KidsRights Index
The KidsRights Index is the only global ranking of how children’s rights are respected in 194 countries. It is developed by the KidsRights Foundation in partnership with Erasmus University Rotterdam and the International Institute of Social Studies.
KidsRights is also known for launching the International Children’s Peace Prize, awarded to young changemakers such as Malala Yousafzai.