Why does DR broadcast violent videos involving children?

**Why does DR broadcast violent videos involving children?**

Kasper Krogh, Head of Editorial for Documentary and Investigative Journalism at DR, explains here the ethical considerations behind DR's coverage of videos depicting violence and humiliation involving Danish young people.

In a new documentary series, DR delves into the spread of videos showing violence and humiliation involving Danish children and young people. Illustration: Sys Therese Roed Abrahamsen

52 minutes ago

Today, DR is presenting a series of stories about videos in which Danish children and young people are beaten, humiliated, and filmed.

In connection with this, DR is broadcasting short clips of the videos on dr.dk, in TVA, and in a new documentary series titled 'Brutale Børn' (Brutal Children).

Thorough considerations lie behind this. You can read about some of them here.

We have made careful ethical considerations about whether and how the videos should be included in the documentary series *and on DR's platforms - on* *dr.dk* (http://dr.dk) *and in TVA.*

On one hand, we are investigating a phenomenon of significant societal importance, and we believe it is important for viewers to gain insight into the type of content that children and young people can be exposed to on social media.

At the same time, the exchange of this type of video often takes place in closed digital communities among children and young people, without parents necessarily knowing the full extent. It is also an area where the authorities apparently do not have a comprehensive overview of the scale.

The documentary series therefore seeks to shed light on a reality that otherwise largely occurs out of public view. Furthermore, several of the videos have already been published and have circulated on various social media platforms.

On the other hand, the content is violent, and victims risk being re-traumatized by seeing the videos in the programs or on DR's platforms. To show the greatest possible consideration, we have therefore chosen to broadcast only shorter clips from a very limited portion of the total material, and all individuals are anonymized. Additionally, we provide warnings about violent content in both programs and articles.

Consideration for the involved children and young people has been guiding throughout the entire production. We have also attempted to identify individuals in the videos that are broadcast in the program *and on DR's platforms*, with the aim of contacting them, presenting relevant information, and offering them the opportunity to participate or comment.

This has not been possible, and therefore we only broadcast shorter clips where all individuals are anonymized. We have also chosen to anonymize what we assess as recognizable details in the surroundings to minimize the risk of identification.

In the investigation of violence and humiliation videos *involving* children and young people, we have collaborated with the consulting firm Darksight Analytics, which specializes in digital investigation. Over three months, the firm identified 82 Danish violence and humiliation videos featuring Danish children and young people on social media. The videos were found through systematic digital research and OSINT methods, i.e., using open sources.

It was necessary to create fake profiles to gain access to the groups where the content is found. The profiles did not impersonate real people, nor did they interact with participants in the identified networks. They were used solely to gain access to social media behind registration walls.

It has been important for us to speak with the young people. They are central to understanding the phenomenon and its consequences, but this requires special consideration. Several of the participants are themselves directly affected by the incidents and the environment that the documentary investigates.

Although it has been difficult for some of them to talk about their experiences, they have wanted to participate because they believe the problem is so serious that it should be brought to light and create greater understanding of the consequences it can have for children and young people. At the same time, some of the young people have previously experienced significant pressure and, in some cases, received threats.

Therefore, we have assessed that all sources can participate anonymously if they wish. The aim has been to protect them as best as possible and create the safest framework for them to tell their story. Additionally, we have been in contact with their parents, who have approved their participation.

In the new documentary 'Brutale Børn', DR investigates how violence and humiliation videos are shared online. You can watch the documentary on DRTV:

Brutale børn (https://www.dr.dk/drtv/serie/brutale-boern_627993) Documentary

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