By Keith Krueger, CoSN CEO
The week before our trip, Finland experienced a profound tragedy which has become all too familiar in America. An 18-year-old student went on a rampage, killing eight classmates and educators, and then ending his life. I suspect this event could have a significant impact on the psyche of Finland, and possibly across Scandinavia – although it is too early to tell precisely how any response will mesh with long-standing Scandinavian traditions.
My sense is that Finland, as well as Sweden and Denmark, feel they are “special places” which nurture kids and provide a safe school and home environment. This makes sense, especially in Finland, which is geographically and linguistically removed from the rest of Europe. From this context, the school shooting seemed horrifying implausible to the Finish and their neighbors, just as 911 did in the U.S. There had been a sense by Fins that while shootings might happen in the U.S. and other countries, could never happen in their country.
After the grieving period, it will be interesting to see how/if Finland respond, especially around school safety. Will there be any changes in their long-standing culture that gives students great freedom? For example, none of the countries in Scandinavia believe much in filtering Internet content, at least at a national level. Yes, they do have filters that block spam and viruses, but in general students at school (and likely at home) have largely unfiltered Internet access.
In Denmark we were repeatedly told that the “Danish-way” was to make the kids the filter. There is an ethic that internet literacy is more important than censorship. My personal view is that this ethic for internet safety makes more sense than thinking technology alone will keep kids safe. Yet, I wonder if incidents like the Finish shooting will change that view, or if tradition trumps the daily news.
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