The European Commission has released its own guidelines on the protection of minors online, but many member states appear unhappy with the pace of progress at the EU level.
Social interaction platforms like chat apps play a “positive role” as children over 12 develop their social identities, offering “space for social interaction with peers and for self-expression,” the Dutch guidelines said.
The guidelines also recommended limiting children’s screen time, starting from half an hour per day for two-to-four-year-olds and gradually increasing to three hours per day for children over 12.
Parents and educators should also practice healthy screen time habits to set the example for children, the guidelines said, including putting their phones away and turning notifications off when they are with minors.
The Dutch Parliament asked for the guidelines back in February.
