Better Internet for Kids

For an entire week (8 to 15 November 2024), countless network partners, citizens, and young people reflected on their digital balance under the theme 'Healthy screen use'. Activities took place across the country, a record-breaking 10,000+ classes participated in MediaMasters, and the campaign received significant attention in the national press.

How great is it when your media use helps you feel good? You gain more control over your screen time and your day. You can make the best choices for yourself, enjoying and benefiting from media as much as possible. Completely stopping digital screen use is difficult—and not necessary. By occasionally making mindful choices to handle screens more healthily, you’re already making progress. That’s why the week of media literacy 2024 focused on healthier screen habits, resulting in you feeling better overall.

Does your screen use still feel good and healthy?

This question was central to the campaign and its accompanying campaign video. Watch it here.  

Research: Smartphone dependence increases the risk of health issues

Research into media use by Netwerk Mediawijsheid, published at the start of the Week of Media Literacy 2024, shows that one in four Dutch people considers their screen use unhealthy. 32 per cent of respondents say they move less because of their screen use. In addition to physical effects, there are social consequences: 30 per cent report paying less attention to others (in person), and 23 per cent say they have less face-to-face contact with people.

The Week of Media Literacy, which runs until November 15, focuses on healthy screen use.

Network partners and other professionals could prepare for the Week with a whitepaper, a foundational document for developing educational materials or lessons. The research was also summarized in a handy factsheet highlighting the key findings visually.

• Read the press release for more context
• Download the research (PDF) for all results
• View the highlights in the factsheet (PDF)

Practical tips and materials

How great is it when your media use helps you feel good? You gain more control over your screen time and your day, making the best choices for yourself and fully enjoying media. How can you structure your screen time to feel good and healthy? This campaign focused on practical tips and materials for end users.

• Download the 10 tips for healthy screen use (PDF)
• Want to reflect on your own screen use or start a conversation with friends, colleagues, children, or family members? Download the 5 reflection questions (PDF)
• Working on healthy screen use in your family? Visit the parents' page

Bitefile: What do we know about the impact of social media on youth well-being?

Young people are spending more and more time on Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, TikTok, and WhatsApp. Social media use can affect their physical, mental, and social well-being—but not all young people experience the same effects. Which personal traits or environmental factors influence these outcomes?

Bitescience explored the scientific research and found the answers for you.

Activities within the network

The Week of Media Literacy thrives on the many activities organized by network partners. From lectures, webinars, and videos to dance performances—partners across the country addressed healthy screen use. A selection of the rich offerings:

• During the national webinar by MediaSmarties in collaboration with various libraries, Denise Bontje provided practical tools for caregivers to guide children’s online media use. Watch it here.
• Tilburg University organised the Children's University: Safe online, this is how you do it!, a free lecture for grades 6 to 8 on the university campus.
• The Youth & Media research group at Windesheim organised Wanna Media!, a symposium on growing up successfully in the digital society.
• In Leeuwarden, you could join a digital detox hangout at Café de Bak to escape the digital overload.
• The Cultuurfabriek in Veenendaal hosted a dialogue table on media literacy: Dealing with social media, focusing on both the negative and positive aspects of social media.
• Bibliotheek Salland organised an interactive lecture by De Correspondent journalist Maurits Martijn about critically evaluating online news.
• TikTok influencers Quinn and Aaron gave a behind-the-scenes look at their success during an event co-organised by the Bibliotheek Eindhoven.

MediaMasters 2024

A staple of the Week of Media Literacy, the serious game MediaMasters was played by a record-breaking 11,000+ classes and 260,000 students in grades 5 to 8 this year—more participants than those earning their annual traffic diploma! This year also marked the introduction of MediaMasters for grades 5 and 6.

Most Media-Savvy Class in the Netherlands 

After a thrilling competition, Grade 8 of IKC St. Vitus in Winschoten earned the title of Most Media-Savvy Class in the Netherlands. They outperformed over 11,000 other classes by showcasing their skills and knowledge about the opportunities and risks of media. Congratulations!

MediaMasters was also played in specialized (primary) education, including participation from deaf, hard-of-hearing, blind, or visually impaired students. For these groups, episodes during the Week of Media Literacy were supported with Dutch Sign Language (NGT) and audio description. Class M7/8b of Kindcentrum de Marel in Goes won the national competition in this category. Congratulations to them, too!

Watch the trailer for this year’s exciting film story here.

Widespread Media Attention

This year, the Week of Media Literacy again received significant coverage on TV, radio, and online. For example:

• Hart van Nederland aired a segment on the campaign. Watch it here.
• Linda published an (online) article on excessive screen use. Read it here.
• The Jeugdjournaal visited a school where MediaMasters was played. Watch it here.
• Broadcast Magazine dedicated the entire week to the campaign. Read their contributions here.
• Dozens of newspapers wrote about the campaign, from the Alkmaars to the Zaandams Dagblad.
• Kidsweek interviewed project leader Thomas van Rest about the #WvdM. Read it here.
• Metro Nieuws covered the new NPO series Schermstrijd in connection with #WvdM. Read it here.

Thank You and Save the date!

To all (network) partners, ambassadors, and others who participated, contributed to, or enjoyed the week of media literacy: a heartfelt thank you! Want to join again next year? The campaign will take place from 7 to14 November 2025. Mark it in your calendar!

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