Social media
Social media
Introduction
Social media

Did you know...?
Facts
- Regulations regarding the use of images
- Who should be able to see what?
- Tips for better Internet safety
- Password security
- What to do if your Facebook profile has been hacked
- How to deal with fake Facebook profiles
Practical examples
- Farewell to anonymity
- The viral fox
- Parents worry
- "I am fed up with harassment in the comment fields!"
- Facebook hacking and threats
- Young people are not participating in online debate
- Click yourself sick
- Threat video was a joke
- Explosion in blackmail
Exercises
Discussion
- Different people may have different views on how much they wish to share online. - Where do you set the limits for what is OK to publish? - How does this differ between pupils in the class?
- You can often remain anonymous in online discussions. - What do you think about this? - Can you think of situations where you should not be allowed to be anonymous on the Internet? Why/why not?
- Online newspapers and forums often have rules for how debates should be carried out on their websites. - Find some examples of such rules and compare them in class. - Work together in the class to prepare a set of rules of this type that you think should apply. - Discuss who you think is responsible for ensuring that a website keeps a good tone. Is it the editor of the website or the user who posts content? - Can you find any examples of online debates where you think the participants have stepped over the line of what is OK?
- Modern technology makes it easy for anyone to publish content on the Internet. Some people think that children should not be allowed to blog. - Can you think of a reason why a child or young person under a certain age should not be allowed to blog? - Should or should there not be an age limit on blogging? - If so, what should this age limit be? - Make a list of social media used in the class.
- Offensive comments are posted on many of the popular online sites. Some people seem to think that you have to tolerate negative comments if you post things about yourself online. - Do you agree? Why/why not? - What should be the limit for what a blogger should tolerate?
- A school needs permission from the parents to take pictures of its pupils. The school also needs to inform the parents what the pictures are going to be used for so they know what they are saying yes to. - Does your school take pictures of the pupils? - How are these pictures used (on the school's website, address books, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, other)? - Did the school have written permission from the parents for this (and the pupils if they are over 15)? - Does the school ask the pupils in a picture for their permission before the picture is posted online? - Find out what rules apply to this and tell your school management if they are not following the rules.
Exercises
Individual exercises
- Freedom of speech is a term people often use to justify what they publish online. - What is freedom of speech? - Why is freedom of speech so important and what does it mean when we say that freedom of speech is a fundamental right in a democratic society? - Are there any rules for what you can and can't write online? - Are the limits and rules for what you can and can't say online different from those that apply to what you say face to face?
- Many people - children, young people and adults alike - write and read blogs. - Make a list of the pros and cons of blogging. How can blogging be positive or negative to the reader? How can blogging be positive or negative to the blogger? - Can you really know if bloggers are who they say they are? - Is it OK to pretend to be someone you are not? - How can you be sure that the information in a blog is true?
- You have editorial responsibility for what you publish online. - Have you ever regretted something you posted online about yourself or someone else? - Why did you regret posting it? - Have you ever participated in online discussions anonymously? - Did you behave the same way as you would have done if other people knew your identity, or did you push the limits? - What did it feel like to be anonymous? - Have you changed the privacy settings on your profile? Why/why not?
Videos
Tagged online
The photo album
Legislation
Legislation
The Constitution of Norway Article 100 - Freedom of Speech
Under the Constitution, everyone has the right to freedom of speech and public information. Freedom of speech is an important part of a community founded on the rule of law and fundamental in any democratic society.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
Article 13:
The child shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of the child’s choice.
But freedom of speech does not mean that everything is allowed. There are restrictions that are necessary, for example:
a) for the respect of the rights and reputation or of others; and
b) for the protection of national security or public order or of public health or morals.
Technological advances have made it possible to share thoughts, views, pictures, videos and other things online. The information you share can spread faster than you might expect. This could be a good thing if you have a message you want a lot of people to see, but it can also be a bad thing if the content is spread faster than you expected or is used in a different context to the one you had intended.

Social media have provided new ways of communicating and the services are often characterised by great freedom and openness. This openness allows everyone to express their views and can give a voice to those who are otherwise not heard in society. But openness also sets some challenges. How much of your private life are you happy to share with others? What do you want other people to know about you and what can you publish about others? How should we behave towards each other?
Editorial responsibility
All newspapers have an editor who is responsible for the material that the newspaper prints or publishes, whether pictures or text. Deliberate lies, slander, unlawful images or racism can cause great harm and lead to fines or imprisonment. The media have also adopted a set of ethical guidelines that journalists and editors shall comply with, the so-called “Vær varsom-plakaten”.
In the same way that a newspaper editor is responsible for the information in the newspaper, you are responsible for the information you post online. If you have a blog or a profile on a social network, you are the editor of the pictures and texts you publish. And as editor you have a responsibility for what you are allowed to publish about others, and you are also responsible for what you should and should not publish. Something that might seem OK to you to publish, might not seem OK to someone else. You also have a certain responsibility to monitor, and perhaps remove, information that others post in the comments section of your blog or website if the information is offensive.
Take control
It is easy to create a profile on a social networking site, but many do not consider the fact that the privacy settings often have been configured to allow full access to your profile. You should remember that if you have not actively changed the settings, it is very likely that people other than your friends can see your pictures and profile. Some social networking sites also change the privacy settings regularly without informing the users. That means that information you think is hidden, might actually be open to anyone. Therefore it is very important to check your privacy settings regularly. In addition, parts of your profile are public and searchable regardless of your privacy settings.
If you post a picture, everyone with access to your profile can store the picture and share it with others. For this reason it is important to think about who you think should be able to see what you publish and change your settings to reflect this. Perhaps it is better to create a closed group where you can share pictures instead of posting them under your profile? However, it is important to remember that even if you publish something on a restricted site, other people within the group can download the information and share it with others, totally out of your control. You should always be critical about what you share with others, so that the information does not end up somewhere you don't want it to be.
Online debate
Freedom of speech is important. All channels have their pros and cons and the message reaches its audience by different media. But when discussions and debates take place online, something changes. No one stops you from writing what you want and the response from others can be immediate. The Internet also lowers the threshold for participation significantly. It is easy to share your own views, comment on things that others write and produce your own content with images, text or videos. This makes it easy to get involved, whether it is liking something on Instagram or Facebook or participating in events advertised on social media.
Many people have hobbies or subjects they are interested in and there are online fora and groups where you can meet other like-minded people. Discussions are rife, your involvement increases and you respond to the others immediately. But you can't see their reactions and when you are writing short statements it can be difficult to express the correct meaning. Therefore it can be a good idea to consider how other people would perceive what you write - are you angry or just involved?
Anonymity - a mixed blessing
When you use social media, it is easy to discuss with others and comment on their content. It varies from site to site whether users use their own names or nicknames (pseudonyms). When you are anonymous it may be easier to write things that you would not say to someone face to face than it would be if you were using your real name. It is also possible to pretend to be someone else. So how is this relevant for online debate?
Some subjects can be difficult to discuss properly online. In many places discussions about issues that are important to our society, including immigration, climate, equality and religion, are leading to problems and misunderstandings. Can you think of some subjects that might be more difficult to debate online than others?
You have editorial responsibility for what you publish online. This is an important responsibility - use it wisely!
Did you know...?
Facts
Regulations regarding the use of images
Current regulations differentiate between two types of images: Those where people are the main focus of the picture and those where activities are the main focus. Where people are the main focus you must always have permission from all those person who, directly or indirectly, can be identified on the images before you forward them to someone or publish them. This also applies to group photos, such as class photos. If a person in a photo is younger than 15, his or her parents must also give permission for their publication.
If the situation or activity depicted constitutes the main focus of the photo and the persons on the photo are less important, the photo may be published without permission, provided it is not offensive or harmful to the persons depicted. An example could be a picture of a 17th May procession or a concert. Furthermore, the pictures must not be perceived as offensive on the basis of the situation they are published in.
You must therefore remember: To ask permission and be given an explicit YES every time before you share pictures of one or more specific persons, to be sure that you don't do anything wrong. But a yes given once does not last forever. If the person in question changes his or her mind later on, it is your duty to help remove the picture.
Password security
1. A password should be easy for you to remember but difficult for others to guess.
2. Use different passwords for different accounts.
3. Your password should be as long as possible.
4. Change your password regularly and if you think it has been compromised.For more tips on password security, go to NorSiS (the Norwegian Centre for Information Security).
Who should be able to see what?
It is important to be aware of privacy issues when you use social media. You should therefore go through the privacy settings carefully on the social networking sites you use. Here are some tips about what you should check:
- Who can access your information?
- Is your profile open to everyone or restricted?
- Have you created lists of friends and groups so that you have better control over who sees what?
- Do search engines like Google have access to your profile?
- Do various applications have access to information about you or your contacts?
- Do you know what your friends can share about you? Can they label you or tag you in pictures?Many networking sites also change these settings without informing their users, so it important to check your settings regularly.
What to do if your Facebook profile has been hacked
If your Facebook profile has been hacked, Facebook will need to get confirmation that you are the rightful owner of the profile. It is your job to prove this, normally by sending them a copy of valid ID, for example a driving licence, bank card or passport. You contact Facebook by completing a form. Follow the instructions step by step.
The reason for being hacked is usually that you have not been careful with your password or that you have clicked on links that were not secure. This means that it is important to safeguard your password and accounts.
You can read more about this on Slettmeg.no.
Tips for better Internet safety
Internet safety can be summarised in three short, concrete guidelines. Following these will take you a long way:
1. Think about what you publish about yourself. Think extra carefully about what you publish about others and always ask first.
2. Be aware that everything you do online can be seen by others. Check your privacy settings and decide how visible you want to be.
3. Be aware of what information has been published about you online. Do an online search and take control over the information about you that is available to others.How to deal with fake Facebook profiles
Many people have experienced fake profiles of them being created on Facebook. It looks like the profile is your own since either your profile picture or name is used. These profiles are then used to spread spam. If you suspect such a fake profile has been made, you should report it immediately and remove the profile from "Friends".
Source: dinside.no.
Practical examples
Farewell to anonymity
In November 2013 the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten decided to close down its comments boxes for anonymous users. Aftenposten found that people were less flippant when they used their full names when discussing or commenting on something. Aftenposten also believes that more people will take part in debates if they know who they are talking to.
Source: Aftenposten
"I am fed up with harassment in the comment fields!"
"I have been called a racist, false humanist and been told that I am contributing to crimes against humanity," writes Maren Paus Reinertsen (19). She is disappointed by some people's inability to judge what is appropriate to publish online.
Source: Si;D, Aftenposten
Click yourself sick
The blogger Linnea Myhre questions how bloggers affect women. Young women have never been less happy with their own bodies, and according to Linnea Myhre, and a large part of this is down to the Internet. She says that it has never been so easy to make yourself ill by scrolling through images and blogs and she has been a victim of this herself. “We always compare ourselves to others, and most of all to our friends who in this case are the bloggers and the characters on the Internet.” Linnea says. In 2012 she wrote a book about how bloggers and others influenced her view of her own body and gave her an eating disorder.
Source:Dagsavisen
The viral fox
‘Going viral’ is often used to describe something that is spreading very quickly on the Internet - it is spreading like a virus. This is exactly what happened to Ylvis, the Norwegian comedy duo, whose video ‘The Fox’ spread around the world. Only 18 days after the video was published it had 43 million views on YouTube.
Source: Wikipedia
Facebook hacking and threats
Many pupils at a school in Drøbak had their Facebook accounts hacked. The accounts were used to spread improper messages and threats against both pupils and school. The pupils whose accounts were hacked found it really unpleasant and the matter was reported.
Source: Aftenposten
Threat video was a joke
A secondary school in Østlandet was closed immediately after a threat video was discovered on YouTube. The video threatened, in English, that a massacre would be carried out at the school and that six teachers whose pictures were posted were going to be killed. The police managed to trace the IP address to a 15-year old pupil at the school who admitted that he had produced and uploaded the video. In court he stated that he was shocked when he realised the magnitude of what he had done. He had only meant it to be a joke.
Source: Aftenposten
Parents worry
The Consumer Ombudsman receives many phone calls from parents who are worried about their children. Parents are worried that their children are subjected to commercial pressure and that young bloggers have become important target groups for businesses. Many of the complaints concern situations where children and young people have been tricked into using money on Internet or mobile phone services they do not want or did not understand would cost them money.
Source: The Consumer Ombudsman
Young people are not participating in online debate
Young people are afraid of discussing controversial issues online, says a recent poll by TNS Gallup. “It always becomes personal. It starts with a discussion and ends up with ‘no, you are ugly.’” says one graduating student (19). According to Eivind Lid, newly appointed head of the Norwegian Institute for Journalism, young people's online habits could have a negative effects on democracy if young people do not participate in the public debate.
Source: Dagens Næringsliv
Explosion in blackmail
According to Slettmeg.no Internet blackmail of individuals is increasing. More and more individuals feel forced to pay money to avoid sensitive files or pictures of them being published on the Internet. The most common cause of this kind of blackmail is where the victim has been tricked into undressing on Skype. They are then threatened that the video of the call will be published on YouTube or other social networking sites. It is often difficult for police in Norway to apprehend and bring the culprits to justice since they often reside outside Norway. If this happens to you, the best thing is to contact an adult, for example a parent, teacher, nurse or the police, as quickly as possible, even if it feels embarrassing. Paying is unlikely to stop the blackmail so ask for help immediately!
Source: e24
Exercises
Discussion
-
Different people may have different views on how much they wish to share online.
- Where do you set the limits for what is OK to publish?
- How does this differ between pupils in the class? -
You can often remain anonymous in online discussions.
- What do you think about this?
- Can you think of situations where you should not be allowed to be anonymous on the Internet?
Why/why not? -
Online newspapers and forums often have rules for how debates should be carried out on their websites.
- Find some examples of such rules and compare them in class.
- Work together in the class to prepare a set of rules of this type that you think should apply.
- Discuss who you think is responsible for ensuring that a website keeps a good tone. Is it the editor of the website or the user who posts content?
- Can you find any examples of online debates where you think the participants have stepped over the line of what is OK? -
Modern technology makes it easy for anyone to publish content on the Internet. Some people think that children should not be allowed to blog.
- Can you think of a reason why a child or young person under a certain age should not be allowed to blog?
- Should or should there not be an age limit on blogging?
- If so, what should this age limit be?
- Make a list of social media used in the class. -
Offensive comments are posted on many of the popular online sites. Some people seem to think that you have to tolerate negative comments if you post things about yourself online.
- Do you agree? Why/why not?
- What should be the limit for what a blogger should tolerate? -
A school needs permission from the parents to take pictures of its pupils. The school also needs to inform the parents what the pictures are going to be used for so they know what they are saying yes to.
- Does your school take pictures of the pupils?
- How are these pictures used (on the school's website, address books, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, other)?
- Did the school have written permission from the parents for this (and the pupils if they are over 15)?
- Does the school ask the pupils in a picture for their permission before the picture is posted online?
- Find out what rules apply to this and tell your school management if they are not following the rules.
Individual exercises
-
Freedom of speech is a term people often use to justify what they publish online.
- What is freedom of speech?
- Why is freedom of speech so important and what does it mean when we say that freedom of speech is a fundamental right in a democratic society?
- Are there any rules for what you can and can't write online?
- Are the limits and rules for what you can and can't say online different from those that apply to what you say face to face? -
Many people - children, young people and adults alike - write and read blogs.
- Make a list of the pros and cons of blogging. How can blogging be positive or negative to the reader? How can blogging be positive or negative to the blogger?
- Can you really know if bloggers are who they say they are?
- Is it OK to pretend to be someone you are not?
- How can you be sure that the information in a blog is true? -
You have editorial responsibility for what you publish online.
- Have you ever regretted something you posted online about yourself or someone else?
- Why did you regret posting it?
- Have you ever participated in online discussions anonymously?
- Did you behave the same way as you would have done if other people knew your identity, or did you push the limits?
- What did it feel like to be anonymous?
- Have you changed the privacy settings on your profile? Why/why not?
Videos
Tagged online
The photo album
Glossary
Go to glossary for an overview of all terms.
Anonymous
Unnamed. Unknown or nameless person.
App
Programme used on mobiles, tablets or PCs. These may, for example, be games for pure entertainment or programmes that can provide help with a task. Short form for application.
Filter
A programme which blocks access to undesirable websites
Freedom of expression
The right to express oneself and to give or receive information (freedom of information), no matter what type of channel or medium is used.
Log
An overview of internet activity, for example of websites you have visited or conversations you have had in a chat room.
Personal data
All information relating to an individual person. In addition to information such as name, date of birth, address, phone number and email address, personal data also includes vehicle registration number, images and online gaming or purchasing patterns.
Privacy
The right to a private life and the right to make decisions regarding personal data.
Pseudonym
A fictional name or nickname. Some people use aliases when gaming or communicating with others on the Internet because they do not want to reveal their real identity.
Legislation
The Constitution of Norway Article 100 - Freedom of Speech
Under the Constitution, everyone has the right to freedom of speech and public information. Freedom of speech is an important part of a community founded on the rule of law and fundamental in any democratic society.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
Article 13:
The child shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of the child’s choice.
But freedom of speech does not mean that everything is allowed. There are restrictions that are necessary, for example:
a) for the respect of the rights and reputation or of others; and
b) for the protection of national security or public order or of public health or morals.