Princess Sofia of Sweden spoke out against cyberbullying at the #nejtillnäthat 2.0 organised by the Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia Foundation on Monday.
At the event, taking place at Fotografiska in Stockholm, Princess Sofia and Prince Carl Philip invited representatives from social media platforms, the police, other authorities and companies, as well as young people and children, to discuss ways that young people in Sweden can be prepared for safety in the digital world.
In her speech, Princess Sofia said: “[T]oday we are here because we have to make sure that our children and young people have a framework around them in order to feel safe online. And that we adults have insight and knowledge about what our children can be exposed to.
“For who would release their child unattended in a park where anyone can come, and anything can happen? And where your child’s curiosity or abandonment can lead them into narrow paths?
“In the same way that the Internet can create security and enable children and young people to be themselves, the Internet can also create insecurity.”
After sharing the statistics that as many as three out of ten children between the ages of 11 and 19 have been exposed to cyberbullying, Princess Sofia said: “We want to be there for the children if they are exposed or expose someone else.
“Because via the internet, threats and hatred can spread widely over a long period of time. In addition, the mobile phone is often with the child around the clock and everywhere. The net haters can stand by the baby’s bed when it falls asleep – and be there again when it wakes up.
“We must act, together, to strengthen the security of children and young people and ultimately their ability to be themselves.
“Today, we have such an opportunity where we can act together to create a safer online everyday life for children and young people. It is therefore my wish that today we listen and act with both heart and brain.”
Part of Monday’s event included a digital installation that shared tips, solutions and exercises for ways that everyone can make the internet a safe space from cyber-hatred and cyberbullying, as well as a roundtable discussion.
The Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia Foundation was founded in 2015 after their wedding to focus on initiatives close to their heart, including creating safe online spaces, supporting young people with dyslexia, and providing a voice to young people.
