New study on children’s use of IT For the second year in a row, the Swedish Helpline BRIS, Children’s Rights in Society, conducted a study on children’s Internet and ICT-related contacts. This has now been translated into English. BRIS is calling for improved communication between parents, other adults and children concerning children’s experiences on the internet.

Among the contacts surveyed by BRIS, 2,750 were identified as internet or ICT-related. Constituting 47% of the contacts, romantic relationships and friendship were the most common topics. Anonymity on the internet has changed the way relationships with friends and love interests are played out. This can be a cause of distress for children who contact BRIS with issues such as safety when meeting an internet contact IRL (In Real Life), internet dating and long distance relationships.

The publication of photographs and video material, as well as the use of webcams, played a central role in ICT-related problems. However, BRIS points out that for the most part pictures and films are considered as something positive and a resource.

Harassment and threats were another reappearing topic. In connection with this, BRIS confirmed that in most cases there is a connection between real-life harassments/threats and the ones online.      

In the study BRIS points out that internet and IT are integrated parts of children’s lives,  something mundane, whereas adults tend to separate it from ‘normal life’. BRIS even questions the need of its own study, but argues that it is important to point out the differences in how children and adults relate to IT since this understanding is a precondition for successful communication with younger generations. In conclusion, BRIS underlines that it is particularly important for adults who meet children and youth in their profession to learn more about their experiences online. The study shows that, as the adult online presence is still low today, many children in distress seek help and guidance from their peers.

The study is a result of BRIS being the Helpline partner in the Swedish Media Council’s safer internet campaign “The Young Internet”. 1,000 copies will be printed and made available at seminars arranged by the Media Council. It will also be sent to all of BRIS’ professional staff and made available to all volunteers.

Please contact Melinda Martino at the Swedish Media Council for more information: melinda.martino@culture.ministry.se

The study (in Swedish) is available to download:
http://www.bris.se/upload/Material/it_rapport.pdf

The English version will soon be available from the Swedish Media Council’s website: http://www.medieradet.se