While Parliament and traditional media remain central to how ideas are tested and understood, influence now sits across a far wider landscape — from digital platforms and social media networks to campaigning organisations shaping the conversation in real time.
The Pagefield Award for the Digital Campaign of the Year recognises those campaigns that have operated within that landscape most effectively. These are campaigns that have not only reached audiences, but influenced how they think, respond and act – helping to shape public understanding and drive meaningful change.
This year’s shortlist reflects three distinct approaches to digital campaigning: work that mobilises communities, campaigns that elevate complex issues into mainstream debate, and initiatives designed to improve how audiences engage with information itself.
Here are this year’s nominees:
Smartphone Free Childhood
Smartphone Free Childhood is a parent led campaign focused on delaying smartphone use among children, driven by concerns around mental health, online safety and screen time.
The campaign began in early 2024 with a single WhatsApp group set up by two parents who wanted to support each other in holding off on buying their children smartphones. After an Instagram post about the group went viral, thousands of other parents joined, and more groups quickly formed across the UK
It has since grown into a wider movement, with hundreds of thousands of parents involved through online communities, school networks and local groups. Parents are sharing advice, supporting each other and making collective decisions about when to introduce smartphones.
The campaign now forms part of a wider national conversation, appearing regularly in media coverage and public debate. Its scale, including large online communities and parent pledges, points to clear behaviour change and increasing political attention.
End Violence Against Women
The End Violence Against Women campaign focuses on tackling online abuse against women and girls, including image-based abuse, deepfakes and online harassment. The campaign highlights how these forms of abuse are becoming more common as digital platforms play a larger role in everyday life.
Through its #ONLINEVAWG work, the campaign has called for stronger laws, better regulation of tech platforms and greater support for survivors. It has also worked to raise awareness of the scale and impact of online abuse, including how it affects participation in public life.
Using digital platforms to share research, respond to news and amplify survivor voices, the campaign has helped bring these issues into wider public discussion and kept pressure on policymakers.
The issue has gained significant attention in recent months, with progress on legislation and new requirements for tech platforms reflecting growing focus in this area.
Media Smart & Advertising Association
Media Smart and the Advertising Association’s campaign aimed to help young people better understand political advertising online, particularly in the run-up to the May 2026 elections.
At the centre of the campaign is an updated guide, “What’s the deal with political advertising?”, which explains how election ads work, how they are regulated, and how to assess whether content can be trusted. It also addresses challenges such as AI-generated content and the use of imprints.
The campaign is delivered across digital channels and real-world environments, including social media, online resources and digital screens in universities and colleges. Partnerships with organisations such as Next-Gen Media have helped extend its reach to large numbers of first-time voters.
Its focus on younger audiences reflects the wider challenge of improving understanding in a space where trust in political advertising remains low.
The winner will be announced as part of the Pagefield Awards 2026 on 15th June.
.jpg)