Swedish Minister Calls for Stronger Measures Against Child-Like Sex Dolls in E-Commerce

Swedish authorities are intensifying efforts to curb the sale of child-resembling sex dolls on online marketplaces following alerts from French agencies. The issue came to light after French officials identified that the Chinese e-commerce platform Shein was offering such products for sale, resulting in significant public concern both in France and internationally.

In response, Sweden's Minister for Social Services convened a meeting with representatives from online retailers, relevant authorities, and organizations focused on child welfare. The meeting, held on Friday, included participation from major e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Shein, who joined via video link. The primary objective was to address the growing concern about the availability of these dolls and discuss strategies to prevent their distribution.

According to statements made following the meeting, there was a clear consensus among participants on the necessity of taking decisive action to prevent the sexualization of children through the sale of such products. The Minister emphasized expectations that online retailers proactively implement measures to remove and block listings of child-like sex dolls from their platforms. Authorities also indicated that, should voluntary actions by the industry prove insufficient, the government would consider introducing new legislative measures to address the issue.

Currently, there is a lack of data regarding the number of these dolls that have been sold in Sweden. However, the government expressed a commitment to monitoring the situation closely and taking further concrete steps as necessary. The Swedish authorities are expected to announce additional actions aimed at strengthening regulations and enhancing cooperation with industry stakeholders and child protection organizations in the near future.

The meeting highlighted the shared responsibility of both state institutions and private companies to safeguard children from exploitation and inappropriate content online. E-commerce platforms face increasing pressure to review and strengthen their internal controls, ensuring that their services are not used to facilitate the sale of illegal or harmful items.

Discussions are ongoing regarding the most effective approaches to ensure compliance and protect vulnerable groups. Stakeholders reiterated the importance of international collaboration, as many online marketplaces operate across borders. Swedish officials are also in dialogue with their counterparts in other countries to coordinate actions and share best practices in tackling the problem.

This latest development underscores the growing challenge of regulating online marketplaces and the need for agile policy responses to address new forms of exploitation. The Swedish government remains resolute in its intention to protect children and uphold robust standards for internet commerce. Further updates and specific legislative proposals are anticipated as authorities continue to assess the scope of the issue and develop targeted interventions.