For kids

Abuse is when someone hurts you or makes you feel bad. It is never alright to be abusive. You can always get help.

It's not OK to abuse you or others

It can be difficult to believe that someone wants to hurt or intimidate others. But people sometimes do such things to control others. It is called abuse. It is never alright to be abusive.

There are many types of abuse.

Mental abuse is when someone uses bad words and threats to make others feel bad.
Physical abuse is when someone hurts another by slapping, kicking or throwing things at others.
Sexual abuse is when someone wants to touch you or make you touch them and keep it a secret.
Digital abuse or online abuse is when someone is abusive on the internet, for example with bad comments or sends you nude photos or asks you to send them nude photos of you.

It is also abuse to have to watch someone you love being abused.

There are a lot of people who can help those who are abused if they know what is happening. People who injure and hurt can also get help. They are not necessarily removed; they can get help to change their behaviour.

If you or someone you know is abused, it is best to tell some adult who you trust. It can be someone in your family, a teacher at school or your friend’s parents. If there is no one who you feel comfortable talking to, you can talk to the children’s number 112 to get help.

You can also call the children’s number 112 or talk through the web chat to get help.

Open webchat

Bullying

When one or more are often mean to the same person, it is bullying. Bullying can be physical like kicking or pushing. Bullying can also be stealing things or damaging them, name calling, teasing, backbiting, excluding from a group of friends or making others do something they do not want. It is never alright to bully someone.

If you watch and do nothing, then you are also participating.

Vanda Sig tells us how we can choose to be kind persons and not participate in bullying.

Domestic violence

It is called domestic violence when the one who is abusive is related or connected to you. The abuse can be physical, such as beating or pushing, but it can also be threats and bad words. Domestic violence can unfortunately happen in any type of family. It is also abuse to watch someone else being abused.

English subtitles auto-generated

Remember that the abuse is never your fault. Adults are supposed to make sure that children feel well and adult must solve the problem. Get help by telling, there is always someone who can help.

Sexual abuse

What is in your underwear are your private parts. No one can make you do something that makes you feel bad or you feel ashamed of. It is never your fault if someone treats you badly. Always tell. There is always someone who can help.

This cartoon is about a brave girl who is sexually abused. She tells and gets help. English subtitles auto-generated.

Children have their rights

How kids use social media

Pupils in Víðistaðaskóli in Hafnarfjörður talk about how they use and experience all kinds of social media like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The same advice applies to Snapchat and TikTok.

Ráð fyrir börn og unglinga sem verða fyrir áreiti á netinu

Börn og unglingar lenda stundum í óviðeigandi hegðun á netinu, eins og að persónulegum eða kynferðislegum myndum sé deilt án leyfis eða að lenda í neteinelti.

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Hönd heldur um síma með mynd af strák og hjörtu fljúga upp

If you see something on the internet that you feel bad about and you want help, you can report it to Save The Children's tipline.

Resources

The Office of the Ombudsman for Children

The Office of the Ombudsman for Children is a public spokesman for children and endeavours to have children’s rights, needs and interests taken into full consideration.

1717

The Red Cross Helpline 1717 is a phone service and webchat for those who need someone to talk to in confidentiality. They are open 24 hours, and it's free to call.

Bergið headspace

Bergið is a support- and counselling centre for young people up to 25 years old.

Children and teenagers

Children and teenagers can read about communication, violence and available help here.

Learn more

Teenagers

Learn more about different forms of violence, bullying, good communication in a relationship and what help is at hand for young adults.

Learn more