Medietilsynet report: 72% of teens encounter harmful online content

A new survey titled ‘Barn og medier 2026’ from Medietilsynet reveals that 72 percent of teenagers aged 13 to 18 have encountered harmful content online. Specific findings include 50 percent seeing content regarding extreme thinness, 36 percent encountering frightening or violent content, and 30 percent seeing content related to drug sales.

The report highlights a significant shift in media usage around age 13, as teenagers move into more complex digital landscapes. While 91 percent of teenagers know how to report content and 80 percent have used blocking features, parental involvement appears to decrease during this transition. Only 40 percent of 13- to 15-year-olds feel their parents monitor their social media use.

Medietilsynet Director Mari Velsand noted distinct gender differences in digital habits, with boys more likely to use PCs and gaming consoles, while girls use tablets and social media more frequently. Velsand also emphasized that the risks are not limited to social media, as messaging apps and gaming platforms like Roblox and YouTube now share similar risk factors.