Recently, a suspected chat paedophile from Norduppland was charged who allegedly sought contact with several children. The latest in a long line of cases where children have been subjected to internet-related sex crimes. The children who are exposed are often very young.
18-year-olds Malte Karlsson and Ella Lagström from Enköping wish that the risks were taught at school online and in social media when they received their first mobile phones in their 10-11 years.
"You get a lot of other teaching about how it works in society, this should really be included," says Malte Karlsson.
No sex education
Sex education is not a separate school subject, but can be included in a variety of subjects from preschool class upwards. The governing documents do not explicitly state that grooming and sex crimes online should be addressed.
On the other hand, the school should "contribute to students developing an understanding of their own and others' rights and convey the importance of sexuality and relationships being characterized by consent."
Given the current state of affairs, shouldn't it be specifically included in the governing documents for any grade?
"The curriculum is not very concrete and detailed," says Ingrid Essegård, teaching councillor at the National Agency for Education.
National Agency for Education: Have faith in the teacher
According to the Swedish National Agency for Education, all school staff must "pay attention to both opportunities and risks that increasing digitalization entails." And in Swedish teaching, students should "learn about different opportunities and risks associated with communication in digital environments".
"We place great faith in the teaching profession's ability to design the teaching themselves," says Ingrid Essegård.
Is there a risk that teaching about the risk of grooming and sexual assault via the internet falls through the cracks when it can get into such widely different subjects and grades?
"It can also be seen as a strength, as the teachers can then return to the subject and adapt the teaching to the students' age, maturity, needs and interests. Staff other than teachers can also be involved as it is part of the general parts of the curriculum that applies to everyone who works in the school, says Ingrid Essegård.