Secretary of State Van Marum: “Children learn, relax, and make friends through their smartphones. That is positive, but there are also risks such as cyberbullying, exposure to violent images, and health problems from too much screen time. As a government, and especially as parents, we have the responsibility to protect our children from this, without taking away all the fun and educational experiences that the online world offers.”
Research shows that 59% of parents are concerned about their childs online safety. Parents often feel they lack sufficient knowledge on this subject, and only 34% find reliable parenting tips about digital media easily. Finally, over 1 in 3 parents struggle to set a good example themselves. In short, many parents want to protect their children online but dont know how.
Therefore, on September 8, the public campaign Stay in View starts, aimed at parents of children aged 7 to 12. This is the age when many children get their first smartphone. The main message is to stay involved as a parent and make agreements with your child when giving them a smartphone. At a young age, this is easier. The older children get, the greater the influence of peers. If parents start talking about smartphone use early on, it becomes something normal.
The campaign aims to make parents feel the urgency to make agreements with their child when they receive their first smartphone. And to help parents by providing them with information and tips for healthy and safe smartphone use.
The agreement card as a tool
The campaign includes an agreement card that helps parents initiate conversations. The card contains questions that parents and children can fill out together. They help discover what works and foster more understanding for each other. There is also space to establish your own rules. There is no right or wrong; it’s about having the conversation together and making agreements that fit your family.
Stay in View is a multimedia campaign. The campaign refers to the website jouwkindonline.nl, where parents can find reliable tips and information to make their childs online life safer. The campaign is part of a multi-year public campaign by the Ministry of Interior and Kingdom Relations aimed at supporting parents in protecting their children online.