Snapchat launches new teen 'Council for Digital Wellbeing' in Australia

Social media giant Snapchat has announced a program called the 'Council for Digital Wellbeing' program in Australia and is inviting young Australians to apply. The initiative aims to give teenagers a platform to contribute to discussions on online safety and digital wellbeing.'

The program is open to students aged 14 to 16, with around 15 participants selected from across the country. The goal is to ensure a diverse range of perspectives on creating a more positive and connected digital space.

The launch follows research showing that over 90% of Australians believe teenagers should be part of conversations on safer online experiences. Snapchat aims to leverage teens' technical literacy and innovation to help shape digital wellbeing strategies.

It also comes off the back of the Australian government's decision to introduce legislation to ban social media use for children under 16, in a world-first initiative.

Social media giant Snapchat has announced a programme called the 'Council for Digital Wellbeing' program in Australia.

The council, set to be announced in April, will see members participate in monthly calls, project work, and discussions with Snapchat’s global Safety Advisory Board. The program includes a two-day, in-person summit at Snapchat’s Sydney office, with travel and accommodation covered for participants and a guardian.

Running for approximately 18 months, the Australian council will operate as a counterpart to Snapchat’s U.S.-based Teen Council for Digital Wellbeing, launched last year.

Policy lead for Snap Inc. in Australia and New Zealand, Ben Au, said: "We're passionate about making Snapchat a fun and safe place for connecting with friends and family. Our new Australian teen council is a key part of that ongoing effort, and we’d love to see young people from Australia get involved.

"We believe that teens have invaluable insights to share, and we're excited to collaborate with them to build an even better digital future for all."

Meanwhile, Lucy Thomas OAM, who is the co-founder and CEO of Australian youth advocacy and anti-bullying organisation, Project Rockit, said: "Now more than ever, it's essential that young people have a voice in shaping the platforms they use every day. If we want online social experiences to be safe and empowering, platforms must actively listen to teen experiences and respond by design.

It's exciting to see Snapchat's new Australian-based Council for Digital Wellbeing provide this opportunity for Aussie teens to step up and take the lead in shaping global platforms."

Eligible teens who are ready to make a difference should apply here by 5pm (AEDT) on Friday, 28 March - or just search online for the “Snapchat Safety Newsroom”. The application process is straightforward and includes a short essay and video responses; no special skills are required.

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