In several articles, VG and Faktisk.no have discovered how vulnerable children are delivered online. Now Venstre is presenting a series of new proposals to change the law.
VG and Faktisk.no previously discussed how Rune Fardal (63), Norway’s biggest child protection activist, and the environment around him, exposed vulnerable children – in the fight against the protection of minors.
– I, like Abid Raja, am angry about much of what comes to light in the VG cases. These are children in a very vulnerable situation who are exposed in a way whose consequences they themselves do not understand, says Grunde Almeland (V). He heads the Storting’s family and culture committee.
His party colleague Abid Raja has previously said that the situation where private information about children is shared publicly, can’t live with:
– The legislation needs to be reviewed, Raja said.
Now Venstre warns that they are taking steps to protect exposed children.
– What we at Venstre will be doing is submitting a separate representative proposal to ensure there is adequate discussion in the Storting about children’s privacy. It’s been too long, says Almeland.
There’s a reason people are generally very strict when it comes to children’s privacy, says Almeland:
– Especially younger children cannot give independent consent and assess the consequences of such exposure.
Ask for a separate legislative commission
This is what Almeland says the Liberal Party will propose to the government later this year:
- A separate legal committee that will review and table changes to keep children safe online.
- A new section of the Children’s Act clarifying the independent right of children to have their privacy protected.
- Consider several ways to strengthen understanding of children’s right to privacy. Among other things, consider mandating guidance for parents or issuing guidance counselors in connection with checkups at the health center.
Fardal: – Not so simple
Rune Fardal himself has previously told VG that his goal is not to expose children but to give parents a voice on childcare matters.
– I have never received feedback that what I do is illegal, says Fardal.
Babies aren’t made of porcelain, she says:
– Many children have very clear opinions about both their own life and that of their family.
Childcare is very concerned that the child’s voice is being heard, but not when criticizing childcare, says Fardal.
– VG focused on a case where the child was exposed to violence. What about cases where the child describes that it is childcare services that expose him to violence, loss and breakdown of attachment? Where children take their own lives in child protection. Shouldn’t their voice be heard?
He continues:
– It’s not as simple as pushing a few children in front of you and then changing the law so that it affects other children’s speech.
Asks for parental follow-up
VG has already discussed how parents who are deprived of their children do not experience receive follow-up from child protection.
The only place parents experience being heard is in environments that work against child protection and where children are exposed.
That’s why Venstre is also proposing that the government consider mandatory parental guidance.
– I understand that many parents find this situation very difficult, but you can’t use children to make a case, says Almeland.
Toppe is evaluating legislative changes
Since 2018, both the previous and the current government are working on one new children’s law.
After the cases of VG, Minister for Children and Families Kjersti Toppe (Sp) said she taking into account legislative changes. These are mainly changes to the upcoming Children’s Act.
– The worst part is that children are exposed. Whether child welfare services acted right or wrong, children must not be handed over this way. It makes a strong impression, she said.
