The COVID‐School and Social Responsibility: Creative Expressions of Children's Rights and Agency in Iceland During the Pandemic

Abstract

This study examines children's experiences in Iceland during the COVID-19 pandemic through their creative expressions sub-mitted to the Ombudsman for Children. Analysing 454 submissions, including narratives, drawings and videos from childrenaged 6–16, the research identified two main themes: the ‘COVID- School’ addressing educational disruptions and peer relation-ships, and ‘Social responsibility’ reflecting children's engagement with health measures. Using Spray's framework of embodied,social and public child dimensions, the study reveals how children navigated pandemic restrictions while demonstrating remark-able health literacy and social consciousness. The findings emphasise children's agency and the importance of including their perspectives in public health crisis responses