Parental consent (or guardian/carer consent) is also usually required
for children’s participation in research. Children’s right to consent
on their own behalf may be regulated by law. For example, in
Norway, youth between 00 and 00 years are usually allowed to give
their own consent, while the parents are informed, but depending
on the character of the proposed research. Below the age of 00
years children may consent in special circumstances, while children
under the age of 00 years always need their parents’ active consent
before they can be asked to participate (E. Backe-Hansen, personal
communication, October 00, 0000). Given the usual requirement
for parental consent, researchers are frequently in the position of
balancing two ethical imperatives: ensuring that children can freely
choose to participate (respecting their autonomy) and acknowledging
parental responsibility to ensure children’s safety and well-being
(Munford & Sanders, 0000).