Although it gives us many opportunities, it is not exclusively positive. As politicians, we have to steer the development in the right direction. The chronicle from Falch and Hegg shows precisely this challenge, when they talk about the problems with advertising aimed at children and young people in digital learning tools. They raise some issues that we have to deal with and deal with, if the digital world is to be a safe and good place for our children and young people. Here, as a large society, we have a way to go. The starting point must nevertheless be this: Children should never be exposed to illegal or harmful advertising through the school’s teaching materials. Minister of Education Tonje Brenna. Photo: Amanda Iversen Orlich The Labor Party shares the concern about the negative aspects of increased screen use, and is aware of how market forces can act if given the opportunity. I have seen proposals from the FRP that advertising should finance school materials and computers. I think that is the wrong way to go. On the contrary – children must be especially protected against marketing and commercial pressure. Today, much of this is the responsibility of the municipalities, as school owners. What is used for training in schools must be in line with the regulations that provide extra protection for students, particularly in relation to advertising and marketing that can influence attitudes, behavior and values. Going forward, we will take a closer look at whether the municipalities need strengthened guidance in this area. I believe it is important that the municipalities have a conscious relationship with this. This is because schools must be a safe environment for students. I think the school and the teachers are well suited to set safe boundaries, if they are given the right tools. The school is also a place where our children can learn about the challenges and opportunities associated with activity and presence in digital arenas. Cutting all digital ties is not an option for today’s young people. But it must be a goal that everyone should learn how to travel safely online, and strengthen their digital competence. This in no way means that targeted advertising must be integrated into the teaching materials, but that awareness of this must be increased for both children and adults. Nevertheless, there are some challenges that the municipality cannot solve alone. Something must be resolved at national levels. Therefore, the government has a new strategy for digital competence and infrastructure, where we say, among other things, that we will develop support material for good digital practice and competence. The government has also initiated work to look more closely at the issues surrounding children’s and young people’s use of screens. We know screen use and digital platforms affect health, learning, quality of life and upbringing. Children are particularly vulnerable to the negative aspects, and need special protection. At the same time, they are uniquely suited to seize the opportunities offered by technology if the school ensures proper training in it. A prerequisite for this is that we regulate this politically, all the while the digital world is developing rapidly.
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We must strengthen our digital security – Speech
