We are thrilled to announce that we have selected the members of Snap’s new Councils for Digital Well-Being (CDWB) in Europe and Australia. We are looking forward to working with both groups of teens to hear their perspectives on their digital lives today and their hopes and ideals for more positive and rewarding experiences online. 

We kicked off this program with our inaugural teen CDWB in the United States in 2024. Over the past year, we’ve engaged this dynamic group of teens, as well as their family members, on a variety of well-being and safety-related topics. Additionally, these teens have been able to leverage this program to have their voices heard in relevant public discussions, and they and their families have become safety ambassadors in their local communities. For example, on Safer Internet Day, members of the US CDWB worked with the Family Online Safety Institute on a series of short-form videos laying out their best practices for navigating the digital world for both teens and parents. 

Based on the success of the US pilot program, we announced our “sister” teen councils in Australia and Europe in early 2025. Since this announcement, we’ve received hundreds of applications, which included submissions about the applicants’ relationships with their phones, examples of changes they want to see in the platforms they use, and their expectations for participating in the council. While choosing both the European and Australian cohorts was a challenge because of the many impressive candidates we heard from, we are incredibly excited about the diverse groups we’ve selected who have a range of experiences and ideas. 

To the applicants who were not selected this year, please know that we greatly appreciate the time and effort you put into your applications. We hope that you will continue to stay engaged in promoting healthy behaviors online, and that you consider applying in the future or participating in other similar programs. 

Below are excerpts from some of the selected members’ applications, reflecting what they hope to gain from participating in the program (lightly edited): 

Many of the applicants said they were especially excited to learn from others, with one French teen citing a desire to hear “different perspectives on the same global issues.” Others were particularly looking forward to the collaborative nature of the program with one Australian teen saying they wanted to be part of the program to “develop key skills such as teamwork, and problem solving” and another Australian teen said, “This is my opportunity to grow!” Generally speaking, the teens’ applications showed they are excited to have a voice in what they feel are adult-dominated conversations. As one Polish Council member put it: “Age doesn’t matter as much, if you don’t have ideas.”

Since selecting our new cohorts, we’ve held virtual kick-off calls, and in the coming weeks, we will be gathering for in-person summits in Amsterdam and Sydney. At the summits, we will have small-group and full-council discussions on various online safety and well-being topics, a separate “parent track” for guardians and chaperones, interactive sessions with guest speakers, as well as some fun activities (you can learn more about our 2024 US CDWB summit here). We hope to offer the teens opportunities to deepen their knowledge of online safety and digital citizenship issues, hone their leadership and advocacy skills, grow as team players and peer mentors, and gain insight into possible career paths at a global technology company. We will regularly share the council’s knowledge and insights as to how young people can approach online spaces, leveraging strategies that promote safety and stronger digital well-being. 

Congratulations to our selected members, and thank you again to everyone who submitted an application. Here’s to a successful and productive program for our new Councils for Digital Well-Being in Europe and Australia!

- Viraj Doshi, Platform Safety Lead