Better Internet for Kids

Here, we take an in-depth look at the latest monitoring information for Belgium.

According to the Digital Decade 2025: Country reports, Belgium’s digital landscape in 2025 is characterised by strong technological adoption among businesses and advanced connectivity, though it faces some structural challenges in infrastructure and workforce diversity. 59.4% of adults possess basic digital skills, though large divides persist across education and age. Despite strong enterprise investment in training (36.8%), low female participation and ICT specialist shortages remain. According to the  State of the Digital Decade Eurobarometer 2025, public sentiment is largely positive, with 72% believing digitalisation simplifies daily life, though 92% favour urgent action against cyberbullying and child-related online harms. 

Read the full Policy monitor country profile for detailed information on key national policy frameworks in Belgium.

Read the full 2026 edition of the Policy monitor report.

BIK policies

Policy design asks whether evidence and research support BIK-related policies and whether systems are in place for monitoring and evaluating those policies.

In Belgium:

• This topic is comprehensively addressed in national/regional laws, regulations and policies
• There are separate, dedicated policies that address children and the digital environment.
• The BIK+ strategy is an important influence on policy development on children and the digital environment.
• National/regional policies and policy documents explicitly recognise children's rights in the digital environment. 

Policy design

Policy design asks whether evidence and research support BIK-related policies and whether systems are in place for monitoring and evaluating those policies.

In Belgium:

• Quantitative data on some aspects of children’s digital activity is collected regularly as part of broader surveys.
• Some but not all aspects of children’s experiences of risks, harms and digital well-being are included in regular surveys.
• Systems are in place at the government level to gather information on children and the digital environment
• There is a dedicated long-term research fund/research programme on children and the digital environment. 
• Policies are regularly monitored and evaluated, but not always systematically.

Policy governance

Policy governance examines how policies are coordinated at the governmental level, whether other implementation bodies are involved in their delivery and coordination.

In Belgium:

• Policy development sits across different ministries with leadership officially distributed according to the area of specialisation. 
• Coordination occurs across relevant departments and stakeholders through more informal arrangements.
• There is a defined national action plan on children and the digital environment.

Stakeholder involvement

Stakeholder involvement enquires how different stakeholders can participate in policy development.

In Belgium:

• Stakeholders are involved through various existing groups or platforms across different government branches. While opportunities for engagement exist, they are not centrally coordinated, and stakeholder participation may vary in consistency or influence.
• The public is consulted during the development of new BIK policies. While engagement is structured and meaningful, it is event-driven and does not occur outside of major policy formulation efforts.
• Children are listened to directly in the policy development process but are not formally involved in decision-making.
  

Read the full Policy monitor country profile for detailed information on key national policy frameworks in Belgium.

Read the full 2026 edition of the Policy monitor report.

BIK+ actions

Pillar 1 – safe digital experiences

Safe digital experiences refer to actions taken to protect children from harmful and illegal online content, conduct, contact, and risks as young consumers and to improve their well-being online through a safe, age-appropriate digital environment created in a way that respects children’s best interests.

Pillar 2 – digital empowerment

Digital empowerment involves actions that ensure all children, including those in vulnerable situations, acquire the necessary skills and competences to make sound choices and to express themselves safely and responsibly in the online environment.

Pillar 3 – active participation, respecting children’s rights

This includes actions that promote young people's active participation and respect for their rights through such activities as fostering innovative and creative safe digital experiences for young people and ensuring they have a say in policies governing the digital environment.

Read the full Policy monitor country profile for detailed information on key national policy frameworks in Belgium.

Read the full 2026 edition of the Policy monitor report.

BIK+ index 2025: Belgium

The BIK+ index has been developed to provide an aggregated at-a-glance overview of the levels of implementation across the two dimensions, BIK policies and BIK+ actions, in Belgium compared to the EU27+2 average. Values are shown in per cent.

Please note, the data used in this page and the corresponding country profile was collected in January 2026.