The Swedish government has made a firm commitment to tackle the disturbing online trade of childlike sex dolls, following reports of their availability within the country.
Government Takes a Stand
On Friday 28 November 2025, Sweden's Minister for Social Services, Camilla Waltersson Grönvall, expressed profound dismay, stating her reaction was on behalf of all parents. "As a mother, your heart really breaks watching these images and pictures of these dolls," she told The Associated Press. The minister was speaking after a meeting convened by the government in response to several notable cases of e-commerce companies selling the controversial products.
The minister declared the government's intention is "to make sure these products cannot any more be sold and bought anywhere." The meeting included participants from child protection groups, online vendors, and government agencies, who discussed the measures platforms are taking to remove such listings.
Child Protection Groups Lead the Charge
The issue was thrust into the public spotlight after the child protection organisation ChildX filed a police report earlier in the month against Amazon and other e-commerce platforms. The group highlighted that the dolls, which are approximately one metre in length, are often dressed in school uniforms and marketed in a sexualised context.
Ida Östensson, Secretary General of ChildX, explained the rationale behind their action: "We are taking this step because these products are designed to sexualise children. Their open sale and marketing fuel a culture that normalises the sexual abuse of children. This is unacceptable." She confirmed that their advocacy led to the removal of these listings on Amazon.
Threat of Further Action
When questioned on whether the current measures from online platforms were sufficient, Minister Waltersson Grönvall was unequivocal. She stated the government would monitor the situation closely and "will not hesitate to take further action, which might involve further legislation if that is considered necessary."
This initiative forms part of a broader government strategy being prepared to protect children from violence, including steps to prevent sexual and online abuse. The government's stance is that the sale of these dolls may fall under existing criminal provisions related to child sexual exploitation, as Swedish law prohibits material portraying children in a sexualised manner.
In a statement, an Amazon spokesperson reiterated that the company has strict policies prohibiting child pornography and had removed the flagged products. The issue is not confined to Sweden; the French government recently moved to suspend access to the Shein marketplace after similar discoveries were made on its website.
