News item | 08-09-2025 | 16:00
Today, State Secretary Van Marum launched the public campaign ‘Stay in the picture’. The campaign helps parents of children between the ages of 7 and 12 to talk about their smartphone use. That is necessary, because children spend a lot of time online, while many parents struggle with guiding their child in the online world.
State Secretary for Marum: “Children learn, relax and make friends through their smartphone. That is also positive, but there are also risks such as cyberbullying, seeing violent images and health problems due to too much screen time. As a government, and especially as parents, we have the responsibility to protect our children for that, without depriving them all the fun and educational experiences that the online world offers.”
Research shows that 59% of parents are concerned about the online safety of their child. Parents often think do not have sufficient knowledge about this subject themselves, and only 34% can easily find reliable parenting tips on digital media. Finally, more than 1 in 3 parents have difficulty set a good example. In short, many parents want to protect their children online, but don’t know how.
That is why the public campaign ‘Stay in the picture’ will start on 8 September, aimed at parents of children from 7 to 12 years old. This is the age at which many children get their 1st smartphone. The most important message is to stay in the picture as a parent and to make agreements with your child when you give a smartphone. This is easier at a young age. The older children become, the greater the influence of peers. If parents start early on talking about smartphone use, it will be something normal.
The campaign must ensure that parents feel the urgency to make agreements with their child when it gets the 1st smartphone. And parents help with this by providing them with information and tips for healthy and safe smartphone use.
The appointment card as an aid
The campaign includes an appointment card that helps parents to start the conversation. On the map are questions that older and child can fill in together. They help discover what works and ensure more understanding for each other. There is also room for drawing up your own rules. There is no right or wrong, it is about having the conversation together and making agreements that suit your family.
‘Stay in the picture’ is a multimedia campaign. The campaign refers to the website Jouwkindonline.nl, Where parents find reliable tips and information to make their child’s online life safer. The campaign is part of a multi -year public campaign from the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations aimed at supporting parents in protecting their children online