THE HAGUE – October 6, 2026 | The Dutch Daily
Phones in schools and children online: on 5 October 2026 the Dutch cabinet presented its strategy for children’s online rights (strategie online kinderrechten), a broad approach on which several ministries work together. It includes stricter rules for digital services, a European minimum age for social media and support for parents and children. As part of it, the cabinet wants the agreement that mobile phones are not allowed in school to apply at all schools. The aim is for the agreement, called “Thuis of in de Kluis” (“At home or in the locker”), to start on 1 January 2027.
Key facts
- Strategy: presented on 5 October 2026; several ministries are involved.
- Phones in schools: the cabinet wants the no-phones agreement to apply at all schools; the aim is to start it on 1 January 2027. The State Secretary for Education and Emancipation is making arrangements with the education sector.
- Social media: together with Spain, the cabinet presented proposals for a European minimum age with as few exceptions as possible.
- EU KIDS Act: the European Commission has proposed it; the cabinet welcomes it and will send a detailed response at the end of October 2026.
- Research: Children’s Rights Impact Assessments (KIA) of services such as Netflix, YouTube, Roblox, Fortnite, ChatGPT, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok.
- Status: a strategy and an aim, not a law that already applies.
In this report
What the cabinet presented on phones in schools and online safety
The cabinet says children must be able to grow up safely and healthily, online as well. State Secretary Aerdts said children deserve a safe environment to grow up in, a place where they learn, inform themselves, meet each other and play. Offline, at home or on the playground, that is taken for granted, but online, on social media or in video games, children quickly lose their overview and run unacceptable risks, such as addictive algorithms, harmful images and unwanted contact.
Phones in schools: “Thuis of in de Kluis”
At present many schools already have an agreement that mobile phones are not allowed, not even outside lessons. According to the government this agreement is already well observed at many schools and the first results are positive. The cabinet therefore wants to tighten it so that it applies at all schools. The State Secretary for Education and Emancipation is making arrangements about this with the education sector, with the aim of starting the agreement “Thuis of in de Kluis” on 1 January 2027.
Safer digital services
The cabinet wants children to be able to use all the opportunities of the online world without being in danger. For this it says clear rules for digital services are needed, and supervisors who check compliance. European laws such as the Digital Services Act (DSA) already contain rules that protect the privacy and safety of children, and supervisors increasingly address companies and take measures when rules are broken. Where current rules offer too little protection, the cabinet works with other member states on new rules.
The European Commission recently presented a proposal for the EU KIDS Act. According to the cabinet it contains, among other things, strict safety requirements for the design of digital services, such as banning addictive techniques and making sure strangers cannot simply contact children.
A European minimum age
According to the cabinet some digital services are still too unsafe for children despite current legislation, so it wants to shield children from these services. Together with Spain, the cabinet recently presented proposals for a European minimum age with as few exceptions as possible. Both countries also think companies must prove themselves that their services are safe and comply with the rules, and that children’s privacy must be protected when their age is checked. The cabinet says this gives clarity to children, parents, supervisors and companies.
Which services are being studied
Through Children’s Rights Impact Assessments (Kinderrechten Impact Assessments, KIA) the cabinet is investigating how the following services affect children’s wellbeing:
| Type | Services named in the announcement |
|---|---|
| Video and streaming | Netflix, YouTube |
| Games | Roblox, Fortnite |
| AI | ChatGPT |
| Social media | Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok |
The government calls the KIA a practical instrument that helps companies and supervisors make services safer for children.
Support for parents and children
The cabinet says parents and children are indispensable in making policy and is in continuous conversation with them, among other things through the UNICEF Youth Council and a parent council that State Secretary Aerdts will set up soon. It also helps parents with information and practical tips: the campaign Blijf in Beeld helps parents talk with their children about smartphone use, and the Richtlijn gezond schermgebruik (guideline for healthy screen use) gives parents tools to make good agreements at home about their children’s screen use.
What happens next
- End of October 2026: the cabinet sends a detailed response to the proposed EU KIDS Act.
- Ongoing: the State Secretary for Education and Emancipation is making arrangements with the education sector about the phone agreement.
- 1 January 2027: the aim for the phones in schools agreement, “Thuis of in de Kluis”, to start.
- Soon: a parent council is to be set up.
The announcement does not say how the phones in schools rule will be enforced, or which exceptions apply.
What it means for you
- Parents of school-age children: the cabinet wants the phones in schools rule to apply at all schools from 1 January 2027, with phones kept at home or in the locker. The arrangements with the education sector are still being made, so ask your child’s school how it will apply the rule.
- Parents at home: the government points to the Blijf in Beeld campaign and the Richtlijn gezond schermgebruik for tips (both named in the announcement).
- Expat families: nothing in the announcement on phones in schools is specific to expats; it concerns all schools.
Frequently asked questions
Are phones in schools already banned in the Netherlands?
Many schools already have an agreement that phones are not allowed, not even outside lessons. The cabinet wants it to apply at all schools, with the aim of starting on 1 January 2027.
Is a social media minimum age now law?
No. The cabinet and Spain presented proposals for a European minimum age, and the European Commission has proposed the EU KIDS Act. The cabinet will react in detail at the end of October 2026.
What is the EU KIDS Act?
A proposal by the European Commission, containing among other things strict design safety requirements for digital services, a ban on addictive techniques and measures so strangers cannot simply contact children.
What does “Thuis of in de Kluis” mean?
Literally “At home or in the locker”: the phone stays at home or goes in the locker during school.
Which companies are being studied?
The announcement names Netflix, YouTube, Roblox, Fortnite, ChatGPT, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok.
🇳🇱 Dutch Corner
| Dutch | Meaning |
|---|---|
| De mobiele telefoon | Mobile phone |
| De school | School |
| De kluis | Locker, safe |
| Het kind, de kinderen | Child, children |
| De kinderrechten | Children’s rights |
| De minimumleeftijd | Minimum age |
| Het schermgebruik | Screen use |
| De ouders | Parents |
| De toezichthouder | Supervisor, regulator |
| De afspraak | Agreement, arrangement |
Related: our report on the childcare funding reform covers another cabinet plan for families with children.
Sources
- Rijksoverheid, 5 October 2026: Kabinet presenteert strategie om kinderen online te beschermen (all facts in this report: strategy, phone agreement and its 1 January 2027 aim, EU KIDS Act, minimum age with Spain, KIA services, parent support, State Secretary Aerdts’ quote)
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