The cabinet is issuing a guideline on ‘Healthy Screen Use’. It advises that children should not be allowed on social media until they are fifteen years old. It is also recommended that a child should only be given their own phone from group 8 onwards. Sources confirm this to NU.nl after reports from RTL Nieuws.
The guideline was drawn up following research by scientists, experts, and social organizations. Tomorrow, outgoing State Secretary Vincent Karremans (Youth and Prevention) will announce the advice.
It is not a ban, but an urgent recommendation. According to the guideline, children should only be allowed on apps such as Instagram, TikTok, X, and Facebook from the age of fifteen.
Earlier this year, a narrow majority of the Dutch Parliament was in favor of this age limit. Not all organizations are in favor of such limits. “You do not achieve a child-friendly online environment with a minimum age, but by tackling algorithms,” said Vivian den Blanken of the Netherlands Youth Institute at the time.
In other countries, there has also been increasing talk in recent years about a minimum age of fifteen to go on social media. Governments in France, Norway, and Denmark also want to set that limit.
According to RTL Nieuws, the guideline to be published tomorrow will also include advice on screen time for toddlers and preschoolers.