State Secretary Eddie van Marum is launching the new public awareness campaign Stay in the Picture (Blijf in beeld in Dutch), initiated by the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK). The campaign helps parents of children between the ages of 7 and 12 to discuss smartphone use.
The goal is to raise parents’ awareness of the importance of setting rules as soon as their child receives a smartphone. This is the ideal time to collaboratively establish a foundation for safe and healthy usage. Research indicates that 59 per cent of parents worry about online safety, yet only about a third consider themselves able to provide reliable parenting advice.
State Secretary Van Marum: “Children learn, relax, and make friends through their smartphones. While this has positive aspects, it also involves risks like cyberbullying, exposure to violent images, and health problems from excessive screen time. As a government and particularly as parents, we have a responsibility to safeguard children from these dangers. But we should at the same time allow them to enjoy the fun and educational benefits of the online world.”
Agreement Card
The campaign aims to raise awareness among parents about the importance of setting clear agreements with their child when they receive their first smartphone. A special Agreement Card and the website jouwkindonline.nl (English translation available on this website) offer practical tips and information to help make children’s online lives safer. Stay in the Picture is part of a multi-year campaign by BZK.
