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The Upbringing of the Swedish Digital Citizen
Video

The Upbringing of the Swedish Digital Citizen


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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Innovative

Recommendation

Sweden frequently has stood at the vanguard of change: It was the first country to grant freedom of the press and the first nation to establish an environmental protection agency. Digital trends analyst Kristin Heinonen explains how the Swedes became early adopters of the Internet in the 1990s and what role the government played in this feat. Her narrative presents an imitable model for nations that don’t consider “socialism” a dirty word. getAbstract suggests Heinonen’s engrossing video to local, regional and national elected officials, as well as to engaged citizens.

Summary

Sweden is one of the world’s most connected countries. In fact, 90% of Swedes have broadband access, and 90%, including pensioners, pay bills online. How did Sweden become so technologically advanced? In the 1990s, the Swedish government worked with private industry to expand broadband access nationwide. Their goal was for Sweden to become a world leader in digital technology use by 2010. In the ’90s, computers were rare and expensive, so Sweden launched an initiative that let employed Swedes rent a computer cheaply. Many took advantage of this program. In 1995, just 2% of Swedes...

About the Speaker

Digital trends analyst Kristin Heinonen advises companies on emerging trends and behaviors.