Denmark focuses on youth media literacy and digital safety

Denmark is intensifying efforts to strengthen media literacy among children and young people. The Council for Children and Young People has entered a partnership with Mediekonkurrencen, an initiative organized by JP/Politikens Hus and Danske Medier, to focus on source criticism and the democratic role of media. Through this program, students create their own newspapers to gain practical journalistic experience.

Simultaneously, a debate has emerged regarding the influence of tech giants on youth. Psychologist Lotte Rubæk, a leader in self-harm services for the Capital Region, has criticized former Prime Minister Helle Thorning Schmidt for her role on the oversight board of Meta. Rubæk argues that Thorning Schmidt’s involvement may mislead concerned parents by downplaying the risks associated with early access to platforms like Facebook and Instagram. While Thorning Schmidt has defended the platforms' efforts to remove harmful content, critics suggest such endorsements may normalize early social media use despite potential risks to vulnerable youth.