High number of children subjected to unpleasant internet experiences in Denmark last year

Survey reveals that over 40 percent of 9 to 17-year-olds had one or more negative digital experiences in 2021

Jan 28, 2022

According to a new survey by child advocacy organisation Red Barnet, 42 percent of 9 to 17-year-olds endured at least one unpleasant internet experience last year in Denmark.

The survey, which interviewed over 3,000 children, revealed that 34 percent of 9 to 12-year-olds and 48 percent of 13 to 17-year-olds had one or more negative digital experiences.

In terms of gender, 49 percent of girls said they had been ‘digitally violated’ – as the report described the unpleasant experiences – while the same was the case for 35 percent of boys.

Normalised mayhem
When looking into the platforms where the negative experiences took place, Snapchat led the way with 49 percent, followed by Instagram (29), TikTok (20), Roblox (18) and Discord (16).

“We were aware there were immense challenges in regards to digital violations of children and youngsters on the net, but we didn’t know exactly how widespread it was. This confirms our fearful suspicions,” Red Barnet psychologist Per Frederiksen told DR Nyheder.

“It can become normalised to the point where we think: ‘Well that’s just the way it is’. We really don’t want to reach that place. Children have a right to not be exposed to violations.”

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