What can the police do?

The police can have the serious talk, trace “anonymous” accounts in cases of digital bullying and signal to everyone involved how serious the matter is — even when the case does not end in punishment.

The age of criminal responsibility in Norway is 15. In cases of violence, threats and digital bullying, young people can be held criminally liable from that age, but in practice the police have few measures available against young offenders. A politianmeldelse (reporting the matter to the police) can nonetheless have a positive effect.

A number of police stations have specialists in young people with behavioural problems. The police can have a serious talk with young people who use violence and threats, preferably together with their parents or guardians.

The police can attend a meeting at the school and give information on topics related to bullying, ideally to parents and pupils alike. Parents can, for example, arrange such a meeting in cooperation with the class parent representatives, FAU (the parents’ council working committee) and the school management.

Many police stations have effective tools against digital bullying. In some cases they can find out who is behind “anonymous” accounts and issue fines.

When the police become involved, that underlines how serious the case is, for the school, for the children who bully and for their families.

Read: Cases reported to the police can be referred to Konfliktrådet (the National Mediation Service)

From the original FOMIS parents' guide (2018). The content is reviewed and updated.