Sweden Proposes Rapid Removal of Gang Recruitment Content to Protect Minors

The Swedish government, led by Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer, has introduced a new law proposal aimed at combating gang recruitment of children and youth by mandating the rapid removal of recruitment content on social media platforms. The proposal empowers police to demand that such content be taken down within one hour, a significant step forward from current efforts where police can only recommend removal and platforms may ignore requests.

Justice Minister Strömmer highlighted that some social media companies have shown insufficient cooperation with law enforcement, and stressed the necessity for faster action to prevent minors from being drawn into violent crimes. This legislative proposal is currently out for public consultation and has been cleared of concerns regarding conflicts with EU regulations.

The urgency of this measure is underscored by alarming statistics: over 50 children under the age of 15 were involved in legal proceedings related to murder or murder plots last year. Additionally, until November 2025, 127 children under 15 were suspected of such involvement. Police Chief Petra Lundh emphasized the significant challenges posed by gang recruiters using encrypted apps that do not cooperate with authorities, making swift removal of public recruitment content crucial.

Moreover, the Justice Department is reviewing laws surrounding the recruitment of minors and is considering tightening exceptions that currently allow young recruiters close in age to evade prosecution. Potentially, penalties for those recruiting children into criminal activity will increase.

To complement the legal efforts, a national police operation targeting recruitment is underway. Lundh called for immediate municipal action to support at-risk children, advocating for social services to be available at all hours as criminals often operate without pause.

These initiatives reflect Sweden's intensified focus on protecting vulnerable children from gang influence and enhancing law enforcement's ability to swiftly counter online recruitment efforts.