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Ombudsman · Ministry of Children and Families
The Norwegian Ombudsperson for Children
Independent advocate for the rights of children and young people
Latest from The Norwegian Ombudsperson for Children
- News article
Norwegian anti-crime task force found 16 child welfare companies linked to criminal networks – Children's Ombudsman demands immediate clean-up
- In August 2026, the A-krim Centre — a joint task force of Norwegian labour, police, tax and welfare agencies — published a report showing that 16 private child welfare companies in the South-East police district have links to criminal networks, with criminals in key roles.
- Children's Ombudsman Mina Gerhardsen said the findings are serious: they undermine trust in child welfare and may have put vulnerable children in state care at risk.
Child welfareChildren and youthCrime statistics+ 4 more bullets in the app - News article
Barnebarometeret 2026: Nearly 70% of Norwegian youth worried about crises, over 80% want to contribute
- Almost seven in ten young Norwegians are worried about crises like war, disease outbreaks and economic trouble, according to the 2026 Barnebarometeret survey.
- More than eight in ten young people say they want to help if a crisis happens. They want clear information — ideally sent straight to their phones — and find it hard to know which news to trust.
Children and youthPreparedness+ 3 more bullets in the app - Report
Seven in ten Norwegian 14–15-year-olds fear war or crisis and want emergency alerts sent directly to their phones
- Nearly 7 in 10 ninth-graders are afraid that a war, pandemic or economic crisis could happen — that is what a survey of 1,534 young people found.
- More than half say they do not get enough information about what to do in a crisis. They want information they can trust, not just social media posts where it is hard to tell fact from fiction.
Children and youthPreparedness+ 7 more bullets in the app Extensive efforts by the Children's Ombud for children's rights and health at Arendalsuka 2026
- Children's Ombud Mina Gerhardsen participates in many events about children's rights and health at Arendalsuka in August 2026.
- They discuss children's health problems like poor wellbeing, mental health issues, obesity, and social unfairness.
Children and youthCultureKindergarten+ 7 more bullets in the app- News article
Norwegian government page lists free summer activities and equipment loans for children and young people
- BUA lets children borrow sports and leisure gear for free at many locations across Norway — the exact items available vary by site.
- Skattkammeret and FRIGO also lend out equipment for free; FRIGO in Oslo also organises activities for children and families.
Children and youthPublic healthVoluntary work+ 4 more bullets in the app - News article
AI chatbots gave harmful advice to children in crisis in nearly one in three cases — op-ed calls for Norwegian regulation
- A study in the medical journal JMIR found that therapy and friendship chatbots gave dangerous advice in almost one in three cases where young people described being in serious emotional distress.
- Nearly 1 in 5 American teenagers and young adults between 12 and 21 have used an AI chatbot for emotional support when feeling upset. Norwegian teens are expected to use similar technology just as much.
Artificial intelligenceChildren and youthMental health+ 6 more bullets in the app - Speech
Norway's Children's Ombudsman urges schools to keep raising Pride flags after repeated vandalism across the country
- Rainbow flags have been stolen, burned, or destroyed at schools across Norway – 30 times in one municipality alone. This frightens children, especially those who already feel out of place.
- Children's Ombudsman Mina Gerhardsen reminds schools that Norwegian law requires them to promote equality and inclusion – the Pride flag is a visible sign of that commitment, not a political statement.
Children and youthDiscriminationLGBTQ+ 3 more bullets in the app - Speech
Opinion piece calls for keeping Norwegian grassroots football accessible to all children, using the World Cup as a backdrop
- Norway is at the World Cup, and the author uses the moment to argue that Norway's sports model — where any child can play football no matter where they grow up — needs protecting.
- Players Nusa (from Langhus) and Holmgren Pedersen (from Hammerfest) started at their local club and are now among Europe's best. The author says this shows the model works — but only if we keep it open to everyone.
Children and youthSports+ 2 more bullets in the app - News article
Nearly 40 European children's ombudspersons met in Oslo to address LGBTQ+ rights, digital harm and violence against children
- Norway's Children's Ombudsman gathered nearly 40 European counterparts in Oslo on 8–9 June 2026 for an ENOC network meeting.
- The main topics were the rights of LGBTQ+ young people, protecting children from harmful online content, and preventing violence against the youngest children.
Children and youthForeign policyLGBTQ+ 4 more bullets in the app - Speech
Norway's Children's Ombudsman urges all head teachers to fly the rainbow flag in June as a safety signal for LGBTQ+ children
- Children's Ombudsman Mina Gerhardsen is asking every school principal in Norway to fly the rainbow flag in June, so that LGBTQ+ children and children with LGBTQ+ parents feel safe and welcome at school.
- She points to growing hostility: 'homo' is a common insult in schoolyards, online hate is widespread, and hate crimes are increasing — children notice all of this.
Children and youthLGBTQSchool+ 1 more bullet in the app
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