The report points to the following measures going forward as key:
* Ensure more regulation
* People who work with children and young people must gain more knowledge and competence.
The action plan is otherwise largely devoted to describing the challenges that children and young people face in their digital everyday life. Seven agencies have contributed to the plan.
White spot in the legislation
Today’s legislation regulates social media to a small extent, it is pointed out in the plan that was handed to Minister for Children and Families Kjersti Toppe (Sp) on Monday.
In addition, parents and adults who work with children and young people know too little about what they encounter online.
– But the responsibility for a safe digital upbringing cannot primarily be left to the child himself. Nor can the parents take all the responsibility. Digital competence must also be strengthened in professions that work with children and young people, and we need more measures at system level, says director Mari Velsand of the Norwegian Media Authority in a press release.
She points out that legislation such as the Picture Program Act has principles for age limits, but it only applies to traditional media such as TV and cinema.
– The fact that the legislation does not sufficiently cover new services and platforms that children use weakens their legal protection, says Velsand.
Top: High priority
Several European regulations in this area have been adopted or are under consideration. The purpose is to strengthen the protection of children and young people online. The action plan concludes that the authorities in this country must provide tools and resources for effective enforcement of new regulations.
The measures in the action plan focus on four main areas:
* Digital competence
* Prevention of internet-related abuse, harmful content and use
* Children’s personal and consumer protection
* Research, coordination and dissemination of knowledge about digital upbringing
Toppe says the topic is a high priority in the government. Last week, the government put forward a proposal to introduce a 15-year age limit in social media. They will also strengthen the Norwegian Consumer Protection Authority’s and Norwegian Media Authority’s work in the field, and a parliamentary report on safe digital upbringing has been announced.
– We need a real investment
Kaja Hegg, Save the Children’s special adviser for children’s digital rights, is positive about the Norwegian Media Authority’s action plan, but still lacks concrete measures for the police and for children and young people in schools.
– This is very good, but we need a real investment outside the school. Children and young people are clear that today’s sexuality education does not give them the tools they need to navigate a digital everyday life where their boundaries are often violated, says Hagg to NTB.
She asks the government to set aside funds to follow up the action plan with concrete measures.
– Strengthened overall sexuality education and strengthening the police’s preventive work against online-related abuse should be prioritized as measures to give children and young people a safer digital everyday life, says Hagg.
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