Protection and access: To regulate young people's internet use

Abstract

The focus for this article is the regulation of children and young people's Internet use in public schools and libraries in Norway. In the laws concerning children and media, a two-sided picture emerges; we have laws designed to protect children from possible harm, and we have laws to secure children's right to seek information. There is a consciousness in society at large that there are certain types of media content we do not want children to be exposed to. At the same time, it is important for youth to have a place where they can privately find information about difficult and potentially controversial issues. Among other concerns are whether children will believe everything they read on the Net (i.e. a continuation of the textbook hegemony in schools) and the current trend of self-exposure.