Digital Literacy
Herlufsholm's expectations for students' behavior naturally also include their online activities and use of technology/IT.
What is Digital Literacy?
With a mobile phone in hand, you can be online whenever you want. You can stay connected with your friends, your partner, explore exciting things on the internet, meet new people, and be part of many communities. However, navigating the digital world does not override the guidelines for behavior and friendship that shape your daily life at Herlufsholm. Therefore, it is important to also consider your digital citizenship.
Digital citizenship is about engaging in the virtual world in a safe and meaningful way. This means acting with consideration for others, critically assessing both your own and others’ intentions, actions, and expressions—whether you encounter them via SMS/MMS, apps, or social media. Here, we outline our expectations for your digital behavior while you are a student at Herlufsholm. Please be aware that the guidelines described in our study and conduct regulations also apply to the virtual world and that bullying, harassment, and offensive behavior are in no way tolerated.
Social Media
Students use social media daily to communicate with each other and the outside world. The school expects all students to be mindful of their behavior on social media and to engage in the virtual world in a safe and respectful manner. Digital citizenship involves acting with consideration for others, critically assessing both one’s own and others' intentions, actions, and expressions.
Herlufsholm takes bullying, harassment, and offensive behavior very seriously—even when it occurs on social media. Furthermore, we refer to the school's IT regulations and Herlufsholm's values.
Sharing of Private or Offensive Images and Videos
You may not always think about it, but it is actually not allowed to share private images or videos of others without their consent. Whether it’s pictures or videos featuring full or partial nudity, casual outings, or even simple portraits, permission is required before sharing. In concrete terms, this means that if you want to share an image of another person, you must get their explicit consent first. Likewise, you have the right to expect that others ask for your permission before sharing images or videos of you. Silence does not equal consent.
We categorize image and video sharing into two areas:
- Private images/videos
- Offensive images/videos
Private Images and Videos
Imagine you're at a party at school, and by chance, you see one of your friends kissing a boy in the locker room, the same boy another friend has a crush on. You take a picture as proof and share it with your friends. It's exciting, the news is out. Maybe you feel like you're protecting a friend? Maybe you think the kissing friend should be ashamed? Or maybe you're just excited that they finally got together?
But you actually cannot share that picture.
This is a private image that requires consent. What might start as something fun and exciting can end in guilt, shame, betrayal, harassment, and bullying. It’s an invasion of privacy, and we take this very seriously at Herlufsholm.
Don’t share private images and videos, and if you receive them, speak up—be clear that you don't accept this behavior. We all have a role in shaping how we treat each other, and next time, it could be you who is affected.
Offensive Images and Videos
You are young, and this is the time when you begin to see yourself and others as sexual beings. Maybe you FaceTime half-naked with your partner to show affection, or because it feels a bit daring, naughty, or fun? Maybe you've received a picture of a friend or acquaintance half-naked, and it surprised or shocked you so much that you felt the need to show and discuss it with others? Or maybe you feel pressured because others send these types of pictures or someone online threatens you to share intimate images of yourself?
No matter what the starting point is, there is always a reason why intimate images or videos are sent. However, there is never a good reason for them to be shared with others!
Intimate images and videos featuring full or partial nudity become offensive when shared without consent. It’s important to emphasize that the harm does not happen when the picture is taken or the video recorded, but only when it is shared—and sharing intimate images or videos is a criminal offense. It is a serious violation of another person’s boundaries—a behavior that causes hurt, guilt, and shame and can lead to feelings of anxiety and powerlessness. Once you share an offensive image/video, you no longer have control over what happens, and a picture or video shared with one person can quickly be passed on to others.
Remember, there is no guarantee that something you share will stay private, but also know that it is never your fault if someone chooses to forward or show the intimate images and videos you have sent them.
Photography at School
The school does not allow students to take pictures during lessons, in the dining halls, in the church, in the dormitories, or in the laundry room.
Upon enrollment, all students and parents are asked to give consent for Herlufsholm to take pictures of students and use these images in connection with news on the school's platforms as well as for marketing purposes. If a situation arises where a student does not want a specific image to be used, the student should contact the marketing manager or the Headmaster's office.
If it Happens to You
We want to make it clear once and for all: sharing private and offensive images and videos is not acceptable, and at Herlufsholm, we take these matters very seriously.
If you experience—or witness—private or intimate images being shared without consent, our well-being counselor is available to support you. The well-being counselor can guide you through online issues, and you can either find them at the Headmaster's office or email them.
Reach out to us if you need someone to talk to about what has happened, regardless of the degree of the violation. We are here to help you, so you don't have to face this alone. Based on your wishes, we can listen, have a conversation with those responsible—with or without you, assist in removing the images/videos you know about, inform you about your rights, help secure evidence if necessary, and support you through the entire process.
We seek advice from Save the Children and Children’s Rights, and if, after speaking with you, we feel additional expertise is needed, we will contact advisors from these organizations.
If you do not wish to involve us, we recommend you contact Save the Children or Children’s Rights directly and review the following pages:
sletdet.dk
If images have been shared online against your will, you can receive concrete help to delete and report them.
sexogsamfund.dk
sexlinien.dk
Get help to manage the emotions that arise in the situation through the counseling services.
Rednung.dk
Get help if you have sent a nude photo and are being blackmailed.
sikkerchat.dk
Read about the legislation in this area.
cyberhus.dk
Chat with other young people or adults about their online dilemmas on the chat counseling service.
alleforenmodmobning.dk
Find more information about digital bullying and harassment.