How much screen time should children have? From what age is a smartphone appropriate? Should we raise the age limit for social media? These are frequently asked questions in the public debate about screen time, social media and phone use among children and young people. These questions will also come up often during Media Literacy Week.
This year, Media Literacy Week is about healthy screen use and dealing with media critically and actively. Professionals are also often asked questions about this by parents. Finding a clear answer is difficult, because the public debate about social media and screen use is characterised by opposing views.
A screen-free parenting environment
Although more and more research is being conducted into the impact of social media and screen time, much remains unknown. Meanwhile, concern among parents is growing. Initiatives such as ‘Growing up smartphone-free’ are gaining popularity. In doing so, parents work together towards a screen-free parenting environment.
Regardless of views on age limits, smartphones and screen-free parenting, one thing is certain: sooner or later, children and young people will come into contact with media and the digital world. It is a shared societal responsibility to teach them how to deal with this in a healthy way.
Map of activities
Netwerk Mediawijsheid has created an interactive map on which organisations can register their activities focused on media literacy during the campaign period. Those interested can filter by day of the week, target group and online/offline.
There is also an Inspiration Guide for Education for Media Literacy Week.