Ahead of her October 31 keynote address at the MOVE Congress, digital media expert Camilla Mehlsen highlights the pressing challenges of raising children in a world where digital platforms are constantly vying for their attention.

From your research, what’s the most surprising insight you’ve found about how digital technology is shaping the way children learn and connect with the world?

The extent that the smartphone has changed the lives of children and teenagers still surprises me. In Denmark, the average girl aged 15 spends about 3,5 hours on social media each day. Their digital communication expresses a need for connecting and belonging – but that need is not necessarily being met. On the contrary, comparisons on social media can enhance the fear of missing out in relationships. When I look at their scrolling as well as the amount of notifications they receive from e.g. Snapchat, I get overwhelmed by the interruptions and the information overload. I call it “The Attention Theft”.

In a media environment dominated by influencers and constant content, how can we help young people build resilience and critical thinking without cutting them off from the platforms they use every day?

As a society we should take a greater responsibility for the development of healthy digital habits and norms among minors – on an individual, institutional as well as a political level. We should raise awareness about the importance of a digital balance. Educating critical thinkers online should be a key competence in schools. Schools and institutions also have a responsibility for developing positive digital norms and providing guidance for parents. On a political level, we should regulate platforms to protect minors to a much greater extent. We should also set demands on influencer content that targets young people.

If you could implement one simple but high-impact change in how digital platforms operate for children’s wellbeing, what would it be?

I suggest raising the age of access to social media to 15 years and implementing proper age verification.

Could you tell us your favourite way of being physically active?

I love being active outdoors. I enjoy running, hiking, skiing, horseback riding and taking a dip in cold water.

Camilla Mehlsen is a digital media expert and author specialising in children, youth culture and media trends. She is the author of several books on digital media and young people, including the acclaimed book “The Attention Theft” (2024) on the tech experiment of younger generations. She is also Fellow at the Centre for Journalism, University of Southern Denmark conducting research on the impact of news influencers. At the 2025 MOVE Congress, she’ll share her insights on how digital technology is shaping a generation – and what we can do to create safer, healthier online spaces for young people. Read more on her website.

Register for the MOVE Congress on https://www.movecongress.com/register/.