Dutch children will be better protected online thanks to the new Strategy for Children’s Rights Online. The strategy sets out how the government and various organisations are working together to help young people grow up safely and confidently in the digital age. It focuses on several key areas, including stricter European regulations and enforcement, improved support for parents, and boosting children’s digital resilience.
The strategy consists of five main themes:
- Legislation, enforcement and compliance, ensuring existing rules align better with the digital reality of children;
- Supporting parents and educators, providing practical tools to help them guide children online;
- Education as the foundation for digital resilience, focusing on digital skills and risks at school;
- Involving children, young people, and educators as partners, and improving policy by actively listening to and incorporating their views;
- Facilitating and strengthening collaboration between network partners, government, education, businesses, and civil society organisations to work together on protecting children.
From Planning to Action
The strategy sets out concrete steps, some of which are already underway. On 8 September 2025, the Stay in the Picture campaign (Blijf in Beeld in Dutch) was launched to help parents guide their children in using smartphones responsibly. Meanwhile, the government is assessing the impact of digital services on children through Children’s Rights Impact Assessments (CRIAs). The first assessments, focusing on TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, highlight risks such as exposure to harmful content and online abuse. The next round of CRIAs will look at gaming platforms and streaming services, with assessments due soon.
The Strategy for Children’s Rights Online is currently only available in Dutch. For a summary of the strategy in English and a link to the original Dutch version, please visit our Topic page Cabinet’s Policy on Children’s Rights Online.
