Better Internet for Kids

In the Netherlands, a Youth Council on digitalisation was established in September 2023, together with UNICEF. Children aged 11 to 17 advise the Minister for Digitalisation on relevant topics they encounter in their daily lives. The outcomes are fed into national policy on protecting children in the digital world. This initiative focuses on youth participation by safeguarding children's rights in the digital environment. Children aged 10 to 16 are trained to discuss digital matters that influence their lives, such as cyberbullying, online safety, and positive online content.

Commissioned by the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, together with Waag technology & society, the Centre for Law and Digital Technologies (eLaw) of Leiden University has produced the code after consulting with children, designers, tech developers and other experts.  The Code for Children's Rights enshrines ten principles to guide developers and designers when developing digital services for children. The code builds on laws and regulations to ensure that the design process prioritises the best interests of the child, transparency and privacy.

The Stichting Reclame Code (SRC) deals with the self-regulation system of advertising in The Netherlands. Self-regulation means that the advertising industry (advertisers, advertising agencies and the media) formulates the rules with which advertising must comply. Both the advertising industry and consumers are represented in the board of SRC  and in the Advertising Code Committee and the Board of Appeal.

The advertising rules can be found in the Dutch Advertising Code.
(Source: www.reclamecode.nl).

Article 139h (amended in 2019) of the Dutch Criminal Code addresses the production and possession of sexual/intimate images or material and revenge pornography. It determines the adequate sentence and punishment for a person involved in such crimes.
(Source: Criminal Code).

Entities responsible for implementation: Government of the Netherlands.

The purpose of the strategy for safe digital upbringing is to develop an overarching, future-oriented and holistic policy in the area. The strategy points to positive aspects and opportunities in children and young people's internet use, but also risks and challenges.
(Source: Ministry of Children and Families).

The Norwegian Directorate of Health and Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs have worked over many years to better understand the needs of young people and figure out the best ways to promote better health. Young people need more digitalized access to both health promoting information and healthcare services. Online services lower the threshold for contacting healthcare providers, allowing young people to get to know the services on their own terms and at their own pace, and to benefit from a reassuring initial sense of anonymity.

The national strategy for safe digital upbringing, "Rett på nett", was been drawn up by the Norwegian Media Authority on behalf of the Ministry of Children and Families, and was presented by the government in the autumn of 2021. As a follow-up to the strategy, the Norwegian Media Authority is leading the work on creating an action plan for better coordination of public efforts in the area.
(Source: Ministry of Children and Families).

Entities responsible for implementation: Norwegian Media Authority, Ministry of Children and Families.

The 2015 Act relating to the protection of minors against harmful audiovisual programmes introduces a platform-independent approach, whereby provisions regarding the protection of minors are unified in one Act regardless of platform. The same protection tools will apply to all platforms (within the scope of the Act).
The Act applies to the communication of audiovisual programmes and connected material to the general public through:
•    (Linear) television
•    On-demand audiovisual media services

In Norway, the Norwegian Constitution and The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (incorporated into Norwegian law through the Human Rights Act) establish children’s right to be heard in all matters that concern them. This also applies on a systemic level.
(Source: BIK Policy Monitor 2024).

Entities responsible for implementation: Ministry of Justice and Public Security.

The National Plan to Prevent Sexual Offences and Offences against Decency Suffered by Minors (including crimes committed in cyberspace)  includes six areas of action and is aimed at ensuring comprehensive and wide protection of minors (Policy and Management; Law Enforcement Agencies and the Judiciary; Support and protection of aggrieved parties and members of their families; General social prevention).