The Planet Youth Practice Toolbox:
The Icelandic Prevention Day

Established in 2006/2007 with the President of Iceland as its patron, Prevention Day ("Forvarnardagurinn") is a national initiative aimed at fostering protective factors for young people, such as spending quality time with family, engaging in extracurricular activities, and delaying alcohol use. The program brings together schools, local governments, and youth organizations to facilitate meaningful discussions among adolescents, offering them positive role models. 

Each year, the event is marked by school-based activities, media outreach, and a special ceremony at the presidential residence to recognize exceptional participants. The focus is on helping teens make thoughtful choices about alcohol and substance use.

The Aims and Focus Poins

The aim is to listen to adolescents’ opinions about protective factors, show
them good role models and getting the information to thecommunity,
to politicians, the government, policymakers, parents, and the media.

The three main focus points based on the IPM:

Spend time together
Parents and children should spend at least one hour a day together
Participate in sports
Encourage children and adolescents to participate in sports and leisure activities
Postpone onset of alcohol use
If teenagers postpone their onset of alcohol use - it is less likely that they initiate substance use

The Science Behind Prevention Day

Prevention Day is based on research that emphasizes protective factors like family time and extracurricular activities to reduce substance use among adolescents. By promoting delayed alcohol use, the initiative lowers the chances of substance abuse later in life. Each year, the day’s focus is guided by the latest findings, shaping media coverage. Positive highlights may include the decrease in alcohol consumption among high school students compared to primary school students 20 years ago, while concerns like the rise in e-cigarette use, sleep deprivation, and nicotine pouches are also addressed.
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Development of substance use among 10th grade students in Iceland, years 1998-2022 - From highest to lowest in substance use in Europe. Blue is drunk in the past 30 days, orange is smoke daily, and green is lifetime cannabis use.

School Participation in Prevention Day

School
Involvement

Schools play a key role, with both elementary and secondary schools across Iceland participating for free after signing up. Each school appoints a contact person to organize the event, and many schools dedicate an entire day or even a full week to prevention activities. All 14-15-year-olds in elementary schools and 16-17-year-olds in secondary schools are involved.

Student
Engagement

Students engage in group discussions (40-60 min) about protective factors like family time, alcohol use, and extracurricular activities, sharing insights through an online platform. They also participate in an internet-based game (10 min), where they explore websites of national sports and youth associations to learn more about healthy activities.

Inspiration Empowerment

A video (12 min) featuring local role models encourages substance-free living, and high-profile visits from figures like the President and the Mayor of Reykjavik further inspire students. These activities empower young people to understand the importance of healthy choices and how family and community involvement can positively impact their lives.

Discussion Topics

Students engage in group discussions focusing on family time, extracurricular activities, and the impact of alcohol use, along with important topics like mental well-being, sleep, nicotine use, and energy drinks, all aimed at promoting healthier behaviors and decision-making. Here are some of the questions asked and the students' responses.


What would you like to do more often with your family?

  • “Families should eat dinner together”
  • “Just sit and talk about things”
  • “All hours spent together are important”

What are the main reasons for children to take part in extracurricular activities?

  • “It´s fun”
  • “It´s necessary to keep healthy”
  • “It´s good company”
  • “It keeps us out of trouble”
  • “It helps us succeed in other things”

Why should your family spend as much time together as possible?

  • “It strengthens our bond and makes us better friends”
  • “It makes us feel that we have a role”
  • “We need our parents advise to make important decisions”
  • “Family is the best”

What kind of sports- and youth activities would you like to see where the whole family can participate together?

  • “Skiing and skating”
  • “Hiking and biking”
  • “Horseback riding”
  • “Joint hours in the gym”
  • “Go to the swimming pools”

What can you do to spend more time with your family?

  • “Take a little less computer time”
  • “Go into the living room when the parents are at home instead of staying in the room”
  • “Choose family over TV or computer”
  • “Plan one or two evenings pr. week”
  • “Try to get the parents to stop using the smartphone all the time”


Has anything special caught your attention lately regarding sports- and youth activities?

  • “Too many quit activities in late adolescence”
  • “The cost is too high”
  • “Too much competition and not enough play”
  • “Football/soccer is too dominating in TV. Many other fun sports”
  • “The new local youth center is great”

What do you gain by not drinking alcohol in adolescence?

  • “Too many quit activities in late adolescence”
  • “The cost is too high”
  • “Too much competition and not enough play”
  • “Football/soccer is too dominating in TV. Many other fun sports”
  • “The new local youth center is great”

What do you think is the best support for you in order not to start drinking alcohol?

  • “Our brain and body develops normally. Better organs for the future”
  • “You kill the brain cells if you drink alcohol”
  • “If you develop a healthy body you are less likely to start using drugs later in life”
  • “A better chance for a good future. Better jobs and more money”
  • “We get better friends for life”
  • “We save money”

Where from, in your opinion, comes the pressure to start drinking alcohol?

  • “To be in a good company of friends”
  • “To have a supportive and caring family”
  • “To get a clear message from parents”
  • “Good self image, set goals and think about what you want to be in the future”
  • “To feel good at home and in the school”
  • “To be active in sports”

Prize games

During each Prevention Day, students participate in an internet game where they must explore the websites of the National Associations of Sports, Youth Activities, and the National Scout Association to answer questions. The goal is to encourage students to discover various extracurricular activities available to them. Questions may include: "When is the next National Youth Association celebration?" or "How many activities are available in your community?"

Students also take part in a group competition, creating posters or videos themed around protective factors, and winners are honored with a visit to the President. This event, featuring high-profile guests such as the President and the Mayor of Reykjavik, receives extensive media coverage.
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Bessastaðir - the official residence of the President of Iceland

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The Media

For Prevention Day, media plays a crucial role in spreading awareness. An advertising firm prepares a campaign that highlights new research findings and emphasizes how prevention efforts have positively impacted the community over time. This serves as a powerful reminder to keep focusing on building healthier environments for young people.

Photos From the Prevention Day

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