Safer Digital Democracy – Nordic cooperation on a safer digital democracy for children and youth
Hyvinvointipolitiikka Lapset & nuoret
Children and young people spend a major part of their time online, and the internet and social media are an important part of their lives. They communicate with friends and family, do schoolwork, play games and seek information online. Although social media and screentime have many positive benefits for children and young people, they are also associated with risks when it comes to the mental health and wellbeing. Risks in terms of unhealthy comparison culture, loss of face-to-face interaction, loneliness, and lack of sleep among others. Moreover, the participation of young people in the public debate online is limited, and young people themselves attribute this to the harsh tone in the political debate.
Goal
Nordic Welfare Center’s activities aims to contribute to building a socially inclusive, sustainable and competitive Nordic region, the best place in the world for children to grow up. A Nordic Region where all children and young people can participate in society and develop their abilities and skills on equal terms. In line with this goal, the Nordic Welfare Centre has been tasked to lead a new Nordic cooperation project on a safer digital democracy for children and youth. The aim is to promote Nordic cooperation on efforts to protect the wellbeing and safety of children and youth online.
Mission
During the project period 2024-2026, the Nordic Welfare Centre, in cooperation with a Nordic Steering Group and a working group, will shed light on the latest knowledge and research on children´s and young people’s wellbeing online.
Scope
The cooperation will result in a Nordic analysis that synthesises current research and knowledge on the potentially harmful effects of social media and the internet on the wellbeing of children and young people, and some of the most significant positive consequences. Recommendations for joint Nordic initiatives in this area will be developed from the analysis. Concurrently, a civil society report will be prepared giving children and young people a voice on the matter.
This project follows up a key recommendation made in a report developed by a time-limited Nordic Think Tank for Tech and Democracy, appointed by the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2022. The Think Tank was tasked to develop recommendations on how the Nordic region may strengthen the democratic dialogue online in an era dominated by Big Tech. Their report, A Nordic approach to democratic debate in the age of Big Tech makes 11 recommendations for the Nordic countries. The project of the Nordic Welfare Centre specifically follows up on recommendation 2A: “Protect the well-being and safety of children and youth online and push for more general control for citizens.
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