Better Internet for Kids

Children and young people sometimes struggle with themselves, face online or offline problems, talk too little about what they experience, and often do not seek help. They feel lonely, which leads to problems or makes existing problems worse. That is why Child Focus developed the concept of MAX, the ambition that every child between 10 and 12 years old has an adult they can trust: a MAX. Child Focus reaches about 10,000 children each year thanks to the cooperative game MAX 24/7, which is facilitated by volunteers in schools, and another 10,000 children through targeted communication and prevention messages during numerous festivals and family events. 

Young people choose a MAX to share what’s on their mind 

Your MAX is someone you trust 100%. It should be someone you can turn to with your questions, problems, or just for a chat, simply someone without prejudice and with whom you feel comfortable. Someone who is immediately available. It is therefore important that young people choose their own MAX, and not the other way around. These can be various adults they come into contact with: a brother, cousin, babysitter, youth leader, teacher, neighbour… Through www.iedereeneenmax.be, children can find tips on who could be a good MAX in their environment. 

Nel Broothaerts, CEO of Child Focus, explains: 

"With this ambitious prevention project, we want to help children choose an adult confidant, a MAX. Young people need to know that there are people around them ready to help if they have a problem, or even before a problem arises. We also hope to lay strong foundations for the future, so that children dare to and are able to talk about any issues later in life. This way, we teach them that it is normal to seek help when things aren’t going well. We want to break the taboo that often still surrounds asking for help." 

The MAX must also agree to be the child’s confidant. This opens the door for a conversation. The trust bond between them does not end at age 12; the intention is for it to continue beyond that. Children can also choose a new MAX, or multiple MAXes. 

In Belgium, organisations such as Child Focus and Awel or Ecoute-Enfants remain available for children who are struggling and do not immediately have or can find a MAX in their environment, or for MAXes who want to contact them together with a child to seek further help. 

With the support of Steffi Mercie and Prezy 

Steffi Mercie and Prezy are the new ambassadors of the campaign.  

Steffi Mercie is known as a social media personality and actress. She often interacts with children and young people through her various social media channels: 

“I think it’s super important that you can share all your good and not-so-good moments and thoughts with someone who really listens and is always there. It makes it a little less heavy to carry everything on your own." 

For Prezy, joining the adventure was an obvious choice. As the host of the daily show Les Niouzz on RTBF (a Belgian television program), he shares the bond he has with Léon, his young neighbor: 

"We talk about our days, about what’s going well and what’s not. He confides in me - his questions, his wishes, his doubts sometimes. And I listen. Without judgment. That’s what being a MAX is: being there. Creating a bond of trust. Offering a listening ear so that small problems never become big ones. Being someone the child can turn to. Not to fix everything, but to hear everything. And I’m here for Léon." 

For several years now, Child Focus has introduced the MAX concept to children in various ways. MAX has been integrated into numerous training sessions and prevention materials, as well as a participatory workshop offered free of charge to schools. Child Focus also developed the MAX climbing wall, used at various family events to raise awareness among parents and children. MAX is also a keychain, reminding children at all times that they are not alone. 

Find more information about the campaign at www.chacunsonmax.be and www.iedereeneenmax.be. 

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