For parents and caregivers
Boundaries, relationships and online life
When your child crosses other people's boundaries.
Children need adults who stop harmful behaviour, take the situation seriously and help them change their actions.
Understanding the situation
Begin with what you have actually seen or learned. Listen without minimising what may have happened. If sexual abuse is suspected, seek professional help to ensure safety and manage what happens next.
If intimate images have been shared, stop further distribution and get help putting things right. An adult can assist with removal and reporting. Respect the affected person's need for distance. Any dialogue should be planned with professionals, taking both children's safety into account.
Turning knowledge into action
What you can do
- Make sure the behaviour stops and others are protected. Both children need care and follow-up.
- Talk specifically about responsibility and seek professional help if you are concerned about harmful sexual behaviour.
- Contact a school nurse or GP about follow-up. A GP may consider referral to specialist child and adolescent mental healthcare (BUP). If abuse is suspected, contact the police for advice on handling the situation.
Find a way to start
One way to begin
“I want to support you, and we need to take what happened seriously. Now we will get help to handle it.”
Use your own words and give your child time to respond. A short conversation can be a good beginning.
More help with the conversationFurther support
When should you seek help?
A school nurse can help assess the situation and arrange further follow-up. Contact the police if someone is in immediate danger.
See who you can contactContinue learning
Other useful topics
Sources and further reading
Sources were checked on 3. October 2026. The conversation examples are suggestions from Tidlignok.
- Helsenorge: Problematisk seksuell atferd hos barn og unge (Norwegian)
- Vestre Viken: Hjelp ved problematisk og skadelig seksuell atferd (Norwegian)
- Politiet: Seksuelle overgrep mot barn (Norwegian)
- Ung.no: Har du utsatt noen for overgrep? (Norwegian)
- Medietilsynet: Samtaler om deling av nakenbilder (Norwegian)
This content provides general information. Healthcare professionals can assess your child's symptoms, circumstances and treatment needs.