Important topic

Alcohol, smoking, drugs and gaming are issues that parents on the panel pay attention to in raising their children. More than half say they consider these topics important or very important. Nearly 50% actively think about the subject. Only 1% say they are not concerned with alcohol use, smoking, drug use and/or gaming. At present, most parents are primarily concerned with gaming. In the future, parents expect to pay more attention mainly to alcohol use.

Important to provide information at school

Most parents believe that both parents and schools have a responsibility to educate children about substance use and gaming (82.1%), but according to most parents (62.6%), the main responsibility lies with the parents. According to parents, the school's role mainly consists of providing information, enforcing clear school rules and identifying problems.

Unclear penalties and contact options

Fortunately, most schools have rules, and parents largely agree with these rules. School rules mainly concern alcohol use at school parties, smoking in the schoolyard and possession of drugs at school. At 17% of schools, lockers are regularly checked. However, a large proportion of parents are unclear about which penalties children receive (32.8%), students are not always punished (40.6%), and teachers do not always set a good example (34.4%). Alcohol and tobacco are also easily available in the area around the school, and according to approximately a quarter of parents, this also applies to drugs. More than half of parents know where to go at school with questions or problems. This means that a very large group of parents does not know.

More attention to compliance with the rules

Ouders & Onderwijs is involved in the National Prevention Agreement in tackling problematic alcohol use among school students. Ouders & Onderwijs will therefore place the results concerning the school's role on the agenda in various consultations. The message from Ouders & Onderwijs? Information at school and school rules are important. There is still room for improvement in clearly enforcing the rules and ensuring that teachers set a good example. In addition, Ouders & Onderwijs considers it important that parents always know where to go with questions about the subject.

Parents find it easy to talk to their child

It is striking that almost all parents in the study talk to their child about alcohol, smoking, drugs and/or gaming. The conversation is primarily about the risks. In addition, many parents talk to their child about current topics that have, for example, been on television and about their child's experiences. Most parents talk to their child when the child comes to them with questions. In addition, around two-thirds of parents initiate the conversation in response to events in their surroundings or when they have heard something on the news or through the media. By far most parents find it easy to talk to their child.

Sufficient information

Three-quarters of parents have at some point looked up information about alcohol, smoking, drugs or gaming. In most cases, this was because the parents themselves wanted to know more about the subject (72.6%). Other reasons were that their child had come into contact with it (34.7%), they wanted to know how to talk to their child about the subject (32.6%), or an event in the media (30.5%).

Information materials from Trimbos

In the study, parents could also respond to information materials developed for schools by the Trimbos Institute of Mental Health and Addiction. They were mainly positive about the information and the appearance of the materials. Nevertheless, there was also some criticism of the tone, and parents sometimes felt that practical guidance was lacking. The materials will be adapted accordingly. A great collaboration between parents and Trimbos.

National Parent Panel

More than 4,300 fathers and mothers are already contributing through large-scale studies and short surveys on education and parenting. Would you also like to share your opinion? Would you like your voice to be heard in politics? And would you like to help shape the information provided to parents in advance? Sign up for the National Parent Panel and share your views on topics that affect you as a parent.

About the study

A total of 273 parents completed the questionnaire. Approximately 28% of these parents have children younger than 14, for approximately 26% the oldest child is 14 or 15 years old, and for 46% the oldest child is 16 or older. The results are not representative of the Dutch population: the questionnaire was completed primarily by highly educated parents and parents with a Dutch cultural background. Also read the full report of the results.

The National Parent Panel is an initiative of Ouders & Onderwijs and Stichting Opvoeden.nl.