This week marks the Week van de Mediawijsheid in the Netherlands: a nationwide initiative focused on helping everyone, young and old, use media in ways that feel healthy, balanced, and positive. It’s one of my favorite times of the year because it brings attention to something I care deeply about: guiding children toward confident, thoughtful digital lives.
To celebrate the week, I had the pleasure of teaming up with Kidsweek — a Dutch weekly newspaper for children aged 7 to 12 — to talk about just that. Their editors invited me to answer real questions from kids about their phones, apps, and social media. And let me tell you: these kids are sharp.
The Kidsweek readers wanted to know things like:
- “What are the rules on social media?”
- “How do I know if something online is fake or real?”
- “What should I do if I’m added to a group chat I don’t want to join?”
These questions might sound simple, but they show incredible awareness. Kids today know the online world can be tricky, and they need trusted adults to help them make sense of it.
A phone or tablet can open up amazing worlds to creativity, connection, curiosity. But it’s also important to pause and ask: How do I want to feel after I’m online? That small reflection is powerful. It shifts the focus from “How long was I on my phone?” to “How did my phone time make me feel?” When kids learn to notice that, they’re building the self-awareness that underpins lifelong digital wellbeing.
And when parents use tools like Family Link or set time limits, that can help — but those tools are only part of the story. What really matters is learning to make choices, not just following timers. As I told Kidsweek: “It’s okay not to have all the answers yet. Learning to use screens wisely takes time — and we can figure it out together.”
Working with Kidsweek reminded me how naturally curious children are about their digital lives. They’re not afraid to ask big questions, and when we listen carefully, they help us see the media world through fresh eyes. During the upcoming Week van de Mediawijsheid (7–14 November), I’ll be encouraging everyone to keep that curiosity alive. Healthy media habits don’t start with restrictions; they start with conversations. Let’s keep helping young people not only manage their media, but truly master it … with joy, confidence, and care.