In the Netherlands, some parents and educators blindly trust Kijkwijzer’s age labels and pictograms. What exactly is Kijkwijzer? What does it stand for? And to what extent can you, as a parent or educator, show your child/children a television series, DVD or Blu-ray with A(ll)L(ages) without thinking?
Kijkwijzer
The Kijkwijzer website clearly states that Kijkwijzer warns parents and educators up to what age a television program or film can be harmful to children. The viewing guide provides a recommended age; A(ll)L(ages), 6 years, 9 years (since April 2009), 12 years and 16 years. In addition, she uses icons to warn against fear, violence, sex, discrimination, drug and alcohol abuse and foul language.
When is something harmful?
According to Van Dale’s dictionary, harmful is ‘causing damage, detrimental’. Damage can be a relative concept. Is having a nightmare or a sad or anxious moment because of a movie harmful? (Young) children can be very touched by what they see. The question is ‘what do you as a parent or educator want to show your child(ren)?’. This brings you into the area of values and norms and that is not what Kijkwijzer is about. The ‘justification of the Kijkwijzer classification system’ states that coarse language does not lead to an age indication. There is no research (yet) that shows that foul language is potentially more harmful for a certain age group than for another. This is one of the reasons why Kijkwijzer works with icons in addition to the age labels.
Kijkwijzer provides advice
Kijkwijzer provides advice. The website states that Kijkwijzer’s age indication does not mean that a television program or film is automatically suitable for children of that age. Kijkwijzer does not provide information about the suitability or quality of a television program or film. Many (cartoon) films may not be harmful to young children, but they may be too long and too fast or the content may be too difficult. In addition, one is a child, the other is not. Some children watch very consciously and wonder why certain characters do ‘nasty things’, such as poisoning/blowing up/murder, etc. It is also important to take into account that there can be major differences in development in young children.
Magic period
Ask yourself with every film or television series whether it is really suitable for your child/children. Please note that children up to 7 years old are in their magical period. As a result, fantasy and reality become intertwined. Although they can understand that something is made up, an image on television (even something drawn) can look very real to them. Many Walt Disney films (which are often very long) are labeled AL, but they cause nightmares for toddlers and preschoolers (these can also only occur two days later, so the connection is not always made). (Source: ABC of childcare (2012)).
Important for parents and educators of young children
- Look at the Kijkwijzer label. If it says a 6, you can be sure that it is not suitable for children under 6 years old.
- Note that a series is often classified by sampling. This means that, for example, the discrimination icon may be missing from a compilation DVD because the episode in which this happens was not in the sample.
- Always be critical and watch a film or television series yourself first. Note the length, speed, authenticity and intrusiveness.
- Look carefully at your child/children and take into account how images may come to them.
- (If in doubt) watch with your child/children.
So don’t blindly follow Kijkwijzer’s advice, but be critical about which films and television series your young child shows.