“A digital skills certificate for children is not so bad”

A child's first cell phone. A topic that often leads to spirited debate. Does your son or daughter already have one? At what age should you give a child a phone? And, above all, what agreements are you and your child going to make about using it? All questions that most families have to deal with when a child gets his or her first smartphone. Studies shows that 75% of parents experience difficulties for the first few months after their child gets his or her first cell phone. “Parents of today have lived through the development of the cell phone and many children are suddenly given one at a young age, without any prior guidance”, says Marieke Snoep, Head of Consumer Markets and member of KPN's Executive Board. “A digital skills certificate for kids is not such a crazy idea.”

Parents are the main source of knowledge for children with cell phones. In 90% of cases, children have to go to their mother or father with their questions about their first cell phone. “That's when you realize how large the generation gap is; children quickly become expert at using the features of all kinds of apps, which we, as their parents, simply do not know well enough to give the child the right guidance”, Marieke observes. “Not just in respect of possible dangers, but mostly from the perspective of the skills needed to handle new technology properly and safely.”

ChatLicense smartphone experience game
It is important to teach both children and their parents smarter and more mindful smartphone use from the very start. The ChatLicense smartphone experience game, which was launched today, does exactly that. In the app, children work on developing the right skills for the online world. Several film and animation scenarios in the app simulate real-life events and dilemmas. Ranging from online social behavior and the impact of influencers to the safe use of apps. Parents have access to a continuously updated information portal where they can find everything they need to acquaint themselves (better) with their children's online world. They can then use that information to start a constructive dialog with their child.

“A Dutch app, developed by lawyer and privacy specialist Marjolein van Tilburg, that is not only educational but also really cool. We are happy to offer this app to help our youngest customers and their parents use their cell phones knowledgeably and mindfully”, says KPN's Marieke Snoep. The app was created with the help of experts and scientists and has been extensively tested by parents and children. The ChatLicense team consists of several founders who possess all the relevant knowledge and expertise.

KPN Kids SIM together with ChatLicense
Starting next month, KPN will make ChatLicense available to cell phone customers who activate KPN Kids SIM in their contract. KPN Kids SIM is specifically designed for children who are about to start using their own cell phone for the first time. The child receives a SIM card for 1 GB of Internet and unlimited calls/texts. Activation of upgrade packages (such as more Internet capacity) and extra options (such as Spotify) is blocked. Furthermore, KPN Kids SIM cannot be used to call 0900 service numbers. As the child's parent, you can track his or her usage at any time in MijnKPN.