Dr. Ylva Ågren

Biography

Ylva Ågren is an Associate Professor in Child and Youth Studies in the Department of Education at the University of Gothenburg. Her research focuses on children's digital lives, with particular emphasis on visibility, participation, and cultural production within digital media environments. Ågren's work is grounded in critical childhood studies, examining the intersection of children’s rights and the commercialization of digital expressions. Her doctoral thesis investigated how siblings aged 4-9 interact with media in everyday family life, earning her the BRIO Prize in 2017 for its valuable contributions to understanding children's experiences in a mediated world. Currently, she leads a project exploring Swedish children's perspectives of internet celebrities and the dynamics of child influence in digital culture, addressing inequalities related to ethnicity, gender, and class. Her ongoing projects also aim to document and preserve children's cultural heritage and examine the impact of social media on children’s identities and cultural practices. Ågren regularly publishes on topics concerning digital child influencers, children’s media consumption, and their implications in contemporary society.

Research Interests