Children’s views in the times of COVID-19

• Published in: Netla
• Main Authors: Nordal, Salvör, Þórhallsdóttir, Sigurveig, Stefánsson, Eðvald Einar
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: Icelandic
• Published: Menntavísindasvið Háskóla Íslands 2021
• Subjects: Ombudsman for children; Children’s views; COVID-19; elementary school; children’s rights; lockdown; Umboðsmaður barna; kórónuveiran; frásagnir barna; réttindi barna; Barnasáttmálinn; grunnskóli; nemendur; íþróttir og tómstundir; samkomubann; fjölskyldan; Iceland
• Online Access: https://ojs.hi.is/netla/article/view/3326; https://doi.org/10.24270/serritnetla.2020.14

In the spring of 2020, the Ombudsman for Children in Iceland called for narratives from Icelandic children on being a child in the times of the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has affected their daily lives and routine. Their answers are analysed in this article. The narratives are divided into five categories: discussions on the general effect of the pandemic, as well as four recurring issues in the children’s answers; that is school, leisure activities, family and friends and responses to COVID-19. The pandemic has had a profound impact on our society, not least on children and their families.It is clear from the answers received by the Ombudsman that Icelandic children have paid close attention to news regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on society. Substantial limitations on people’s right to gather were put in place on the 16th of March which extended to schools, with limitations lasting until the 4th of May when schools were able to operate in a conventional manner. The majority of schools had to rely on online teaching to some extent, some more than others.Changes within the schools and leisure activities had an instrumental impact on children. They spent more time at home with their families as many of them only attended school in a limited fashion while many parents worked from home. In light of these wide-ranging consequences it is essential to gather information as to how the children experienced these changes in their lives in an attempt to make certain that when parallel measures need to be taken, they reflect the needs of children and are aimed at ensuring their rights.The Ombudsman for Children has emphasized the importance of Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and children’s right to participation. According to Article 12, children’s views should be sought, heard, and considered in relation to all matters that concern them. It is important to provide children with the opportunity to be heard and to have their point of view considered when decisions are ...