Young people spend a large part of their lives online. This offers opportunities but also leads to stress, insecurity, and risks. They face peer pressure, harmful content, and the invisible influence of algorithms.
The Municipality of Amsterdam wants to help young people and their caregivers better protect themselves against these issues. Therefore, the city council is launching the plan Online Living Environment for Young People.
Together with Young People
“Social media creates a constant stream of stimuli and the fear of missing out or being left behind. This has a significant impact on the mental well-being of our youth,” says Alderman Alexander Scholtes (Digital City, ICT, and Care). “We can no longer stand by. Amsterdams youth deserve a childhood where technology empowers them instead of harming them. With this action plan, we want to prevent young people from getting lost or harmed in the digital world and contribute to their safe and healthy upbringing. We do this explicitly with the young people themselves because they know better than anyone what they need.”
What Does the Plan Include?
The plan focuses on the following 4 points:
1. Connecting to Their Living Environment
Young people, caregivers, and professionals actively think along about solutions. For example, through Trendmonitor Jong Inzicht, where young people share with youth workers how their online lives look. These stories are also shared at national and European levels.
2. Protecting and Regulating
We take responsibility where tech companies are still insufficient. Young people must be better protected against issues such as the unwanted distribution of nude images or the leaking of private data. Collaboration with the anonymous helpline Helpwanted is essential in this regard.
3. Agreements on Screen Use
Amsterdam follows the national advice: social media only from the age of 15. We understand that practice can be challenging and that each caregiver makes their own considerations.
4. Increasing Digital Resilience
We want to empower young people in their use of the internet and social media. Parents, teachers, and caregivers also receive tips and knowledge. The GGD and Parent and Child Teams provide additional information.
Part of a Broader Approach
The action plan is part of the Digital City Agenda, with which Amsterdam works towards a digital future that is human-centered, reliable, and fair. In addition to Alderman Scholtes, Mayor Femke Halsema and Aldermen Marjolein Moorman (Education) and Sofyan Mbarki (Youth) are also involved. The plan was partly realized through the initiative proposal Children Safe Online: Amsterdam will do it by council member Fatihya Abdi (PvdA).
Want to Know More?
On Program online living environment for young people you will find the full action plan, campaigns, and where you can go for help or advice.