Norway

In brief

Children in Norway are characterised by a high, independent and sophisticated use of the internet. As of 2014, 95% of 9- to16-year-olds have access to a computer, 82% have a tablet, and 94% have their own mobile phone (Source: Barn og medier, 2014). Norwegian children encounter more risks than the European average, but also possess a high number of coping skills. Norwegian parents tend to prefer proactive parenting, allowing exploration and socialisation online.

Highlights

The Norwegian findings have informed policy development nationally and internationally, including the UN Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Ms. Marta Santos Pais.
In 2014 coordinator Elisabeth Staksrud was awarded the national Safe Use Award for her work on disseminating research findings to a wider audience, work that was not afraid to challenge common perceptions.
Resent highlights include a national book on “Digital bullying”.

Norwegian team

Elisabeth Staksrud is a researcher at the Dept. of Media and Communication at the University of Oslo, researching digital risks, rights and regulations. She has a long international track record in practical policy, awareness and dissemination work on Internet safety, and has coordinated several EU-funded awareness projects. See http://www.hf.uio.no/imk/personer/vit/estaksru/index.html

Ingunn Hagen is a Professor in Media and Communication Psychology at the Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Her research includes such fields such as audience reception studies, political communication, consumption of popular culture, young people and new media, and recently children and consumption.

Jørgen Kirksæther is a games researcher, and has worked on Internet Safety and electronic media policy issues for the last 15 years through the Norwegian Media Authority and the SAFT, Awareu and NONO projects. He is currently an adviser to the University of Oslo, on EC policy and project management.

Tijana Milosevic is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oslo’s Institute of Media and Communication. Her current research examines the policy efforts of online intermediaries in addressing harassment and cyberbullying from the perspective of children and teens. Tijana completed her PhD at American University and holds an MA in Media and Public Affairs from The George Washington University.