Nordic Welfare Center: Democratic citizenship & participation for youth
I have the privilege of serving as an expert in the Nordic Welfare Center’s working group on Nordic co-operation for a safer digital democracy for children and youth. I am very grateful to Clara Sommarin at the Nordic Welfare Center for inviting me to participate in this highly relevant and timely initiative. For me, this represents a valuable opportunity to draw on my research experience and contribute to an effort with a significant and ultimately important purpose: strengthening the foundations of democratic citizenship and participation among young people and, in doing so, helping to consolidate sustainable democracy.
The working group brings together colleagues from Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Åland. The project is also supported by a steering group comprising representatives from relevant authorities across these countries and territories. Denmark is represented in the steering group by Mads Bramsen, Head of Center for Social Media, Tech & Democracy at The Danish Agency for Culture and Palaces.
The aim of the working group is to “promote strategic knowledge exchange and Nordic co-o
peration on how to ensure a safer digital democracy for children and young people”. The project consists of three components. First, a Nordic analysis will synthesize evidence-based knowledge on the positive and negative effects of digital media on children and young people, alongside an overview of existing policies and initiatives across the Nordic countries. Second, a report presenting the perspectives and recommendations of Nordic children and young people will be produced. Both reports are scheduled for publication in late 2026. I will post updates here when they are out. Finally, joint Nordic recommendations will be developed on the basis of the research findings and stakeholder consultations.