Danish school leaders report increasing cases of cyberbullying

Headteachers calling for co-ordinated effort to fight growing problem

The problem of cyberbullying – threatening messages on platforms like Snapchat or Facebook – is becoming more and more common in Denmark.

Three out of four headteachers responding to a survey by DR Nyheder said that there has been cyberbullying at their schools.

READ MORE: Teens given hefty fines for cyberbullying

The children’s rights group Børns Vilkår operates a hotline for children and young people who have been bullied over the internet.

“Children are never free from bullying,” said Sanne Lind, a consultant at Børns Vilkår. “And there is a tendency for digital bullying to be rougher.”

Worse than physical bullying
Lind said the violent and often offensive messages can be seen by anyone, often making digital bullying even worse for the victim than physical bullying.

Around 20 percent of the 467 headteachers who responded to the survey said that the digital bullying at their school became so serious that they had to involve the police or social services.

Schools can not do it alone
Skolelederforeningen, the headteachers’ association, said that something needs to be done about cyberbullying as soon as possible.

“We need to convene meetings of the classes and schools and be open about the problem,” said Skolelederforeningen chair Claus Hjortdal.

Schools need help
Hjortdal said that schools need help from others in the community to help combat the bullying.

“It can be done at home, handball, scouts, recess,” he said. “We can only do something about it by working with parents and recreational organisations that see children outside of school hours.”




  • Cross-border moves on the rise in the Øresund region

    Cross-border moves on the rise in the Øresund region

    The number of relocations across the Øresund Region is rising. As highlighted by 2023 numbers, Sweden benefits from a growing interest, especially among younger generations.

  • Tunø: An island running out of time

    Tunø: An island running out of time

    The island of Tunø harbors a community of 74 adults and one child. There are no cars and only one connection to the rest of the world. Now, climate change threatens it

  • In conversation with Conrad Molden: The man behind the mic

    In conversation with Conrad Molden: The man behind the mic

    He’s tickled our funny bone with countless wisecracks and clever wordplay, and in the process, made Denmark feel a little more personable to many expats. An international import himself, funny man Conrad Molden has successfully carved out a niche for himself on the Danish stand-up scene, but it’s taken a solid 13 years, much trial and error, and heaps of Danglish

  • Here Comes The Sun…

    Here Comes The Sun…

    I escaped from Denmark this winter to the south of France, where I was convinced that the sunshine would inspire me to write this year’s Crazy Christmas comedy show.

  • Volunteer Night 2025: when volunteering rhymes with integrating

    Volunteer Night 2025: when volunteering rhymes with integrating

    On Wednesday, April 30, from 17:00 to 20:00, Studenterhuset will host Volunteer Night 2025, a free event organized by the organization International House Copenhagen, which goal is to ease the relocation process for newcomers in Denmark

  • The international who shaped Copenhagen

    The international who shaped Copenhagen

    Anna Maria Indrio is one of the most important architects in Denmark, having contributed to shaping Copenhagen into what it is today. Among her best-known projects are the extension of SMK and Arken, as well as the Natural History Museum and the Darwin Centre in London. She moved here 60 years ago, when “Copenhagen was gray and dormant. Predictions suggested it would become depopulated. But putting people at the center changed everything,” she said

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.