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Explicitly include marginalised groups
28%
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Target behavioural change
16%
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Encourage active participation
50%
The landscape of digital citizenship interventions in the Kingdom of the Netherlands is broad and diverse. At the same time, the interventions reveal clear priorities: they focus primarily on avoiding harm and building knowledge about digital risks, with comparatively less attention to democratic participation, skills and behaviour. The digital citizen is largely portrayed as a responsible and resilient user, whereas a broader understanding of digital citizenship would also emphasise active participation and empowerment.
NoteRecommendation 1: Make digital inclusion a structural starting point
Only 28% of interventions explicitly tailor their approach to at least one marginalised group. Design interventions by default with the needs of marginalised groups in mind: accessible and appropriate support and, where needed, tailored approaches, for example for people with limited digital or language skills, disabilities, low incomes or limited mobility. In addition, actively involve these groups in the design and implementation.
NoteRecommendation 2: Combine knowledge transfer with behavioural change
95% of interventions target knowledge, but only 58% target skills and 16% behavioural change. Knowledge is a necessary foundation, but only becomes valuable when people can translate it into concrete digital action. Systematically pair knowledge and awareness with practical skills training and support in applying those skills across situations.
NoteRecommendation 3: Focus more on underrepresented life domains and active participation
Work (7%), health (5%) and news media (2%) are underrepresented, and only 50% of interventions promote active participation. Extend interventions to these domains and prioritise media literacy, so that people can better recognise mis- and disinformation, fake experts, manipulated content and misleading advertisements. In addition, pay more attention to using digital tools to take part in informed public debate.
Digital justice
Many interventions prioritise some of the most vulnerable groups: children and youth, the elderly and those with low literacy. In addition, 10% of interventions explicitly address the digital divide and digital access. In a country where 99% of households have an internet connection, such interventions target a relatively small group, but they are highly needed for those who would otherwise be excluded.