Launch of research into digital balance among young adults

Most young adults think they spend too much time sitting in front of a screen, according to some research presented by the Dutch Media Literacy Network and the Trimbos Institute, at the start of the Media Literacy Week. Researchers investigated how young adults organise the time they spend with digital media, and how this correlates with their health. View all the results and download the factsheet here (in Dutch).

Digital Balance Model and self-test

Simultaneously, the Dutch SIC launched the website digitalebalans.nl, which includes a handy self-test for young adults based on the Digital Balance Model (in Dutch). The test invites young adults to examine their physical, mental, and social health and learn how to achieve their own personal balance.

Personal stories by and for young adults

On Instagram, the Dutch SIC shared experiences and tips with young adults. What about their digital balance? How do they stay in shape, with and without media? 

Activities throughout the network

Our network partners ensured their planned events could continue despite all coronavirus-related measures. The agenda was filled to the brim with dozens of (online) parent evenings, presentations, debates, consultation hours, games, workshops, group discussions, and other activities. Media Literacy Week also saw the launch of plenty of media-literate (teaching) materials.

Special Media Awards

The winners of the Special Media Awards were announced during a festive online presentation. This annual award ceremony, organised by the interest group Amerpoort, is aimed at media creators with a mental disability. 

MediaMasters

Over 145,000 elementary school students took part in the “serious game” MediaMasters, about the opportunities and dangers of digital media. They discovered, in a playful way, how to deal with themes such as WhatsApp, privacy, cybercrime, online bullying, disinformation and more. 

Launch of renewed Media Literacy Competence Model

On the closing day of the Week, the Dutch SIC launched the newly updated version of the Media Literacy Competence Model, which helps illustrate the Dutch Media Literacy Network’s interpretation of media literacy, and functioning as a starting point for media literate events, projects and services. 

A conversation with the Dutch Minister of Education

Dutch Minister for Primary and Secondary Education and Media, Arie Slob, met with a group of students from the Wateringse Veld College for a conversation about maintaining a healthy balance between on- and offline life.

The “A Media Literate Netherlands” challenge

Earlier in 2020, the Dutch SIC organised the “A Media Literate Netherlands” challenge, motivating network partners to work towards the shared goal of a media literate Netherlands. This year, the challenge focused on projects that aim to make people more media literate specifically during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Six participating initiatives received an incentive contribution in the spring of 2020, and during the Week, the Dutch SIC presented a series of interviews charting their progress since then. 

Media attention

Many national media outlets, from newspapers to TV and online outlets, covered Media Literacy Week, and social media attention was also high.

Media Literacy Week will take place from Friday, 5 November to Friday, 12 November 12, 2021.

You can find more information about Media Literacy Week on mediawijzer.net.

Find out more about the work of the Dutch Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline and youth participation services – or find similar information for Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.