The Swedish Media Council

The Media Council gathers relevant research in this area for the purpose of dissemination and coordination of educational efforts. With this knowledge the Council raises awareness about risks and benefits of media use, offering advice to parents and professionals dealing with children and youth.

While stressing the importance of being a critical media user, the Media Council also strives to increase understanding of children's and youth’s creativity and activities online.

The European cooperation
The Swedish Media Council represents Sweden in Insafe, a European network of Safer Internet Centres. It is done through the campaign The Young Internet, which promotes safer use of the Internet and new online technologies among children and young people. The campaign is run by the Media Council in collaboration with BRIS (Children’s Rights in Society), a Swedish NGO, and is co-funded by EU's Safer Internet Programme.

The Media Council's tasks are to:
• be an expert on media development and the effects of the media on children and young people
• be updated on the latest research on the effects of the media, provide factual information and guidance
• increase understanding of the creativity and activites of children and young people on the Internet
• encourage self-regulation in the media industry
• promote the inclusion of media studies in schools’ curricula
• protect and empower children and young people in the media landscape through cooperation with other stakeholders
• keep updated on international developments and take part in international cooperations
• give particular attention to portrayals of violence and pornography and apply a clear gender perspective

Educational materials and publications
The Council has developed a Safer Internet toolkit with comprehensive information and pedagogical material, to be used by parents, educators and people who meet children and young people in their profession. This toolkit is under constant development to meet new needs and target groups. The Media Council also continuously publishes reports and other material on developments in the media, media effects and the media situation of children and young people. The Council also follows research in its field.

Composition of the Media Council
The Media Council consists of six members and a chair. The Council also has four advisers and three experts at its disposal. The Council Chair is Kristina Ahlinder, Managing Director for the Swedish Publishers’ Association, a trade organisation for the Swedish book-publishing industry. She can be reached by e-mail at [email protected].

Publications in English
Here you can find a collection of resources available in English: www.medieradet.se/publications

Contact information
The Media Council
Ministry of Culture
SE-103 33 Stockholm
Sweden

Visiting Address: Vasagatan 8-10

Phone: +46-8-405 10 00

E-mail: [email protected]