Governance
GL-PvdA and CU introduce law to reduce child poverty
MPs Esmah Lahlah and Don Ceder have introduced a private member's bill aimed at legally mandating the reduction of child poverty. The proposed legislation would require the government to halve the number of children living in poverty by 2035, with the eventual goal of total eradication. Rather than prescribing specific measures, the bill establishes a statutory duty for the cabinet to develop coherent policies, monitor progress transparently, and make necessary adjustments if targets are missed, ensuring the issue remains a priority regardless of the political climate.
Kids
Teenagers frequently exposed to violent pornography
A disturbing new study reveals that the majority of young adults are exposed to violent sexual content and child abuse imagery at an early age. The findings suggest that current digital safeguards are failing, prompting calls for tech companies to take greater responsibility for the safety of minors online.
Community
Increasing number of young people being used as drug mules
The number of underage drug couriers has risen sharply in recent years, with minors making up over 22% of arrests last year compared to just 1% in 2020. According to Statistics Netherlands, criminal gangs are increasingly targeting vulnerable young people—particularly those under 23 from difficult backgrounds or with existing debts—because they often face lighter legal penalties under newer, stricter smuggling laws. While increased security has seen arrest numbers dip in Rotterdam, many Dutch couriers are now being apprehended in neighbouring Belgian ports like Antwerp instead.
Health
Majority of young vapers still use flavored vapes
A majority of young people who have recently vaped are still using banned flavoured vapes, according to new figures from the Trimbos Institute. The...
112
Online abuse of 34 children: Five-year sentence and mandatory psychiatric treatment
A 20-year-old man from The Hague has been sentenced to prison and mandatory psychiatric care for the online abuse of dozens of children. Following his sentence, he will undergo intensive supervision to prevent future offences.
Health
Staff shortages put Dutch maternity care under pressure
A new report reveals that many families in the Netherlands are receiving less maternity care than recommended due to severe staff shortages. The decline in support hours is particularly pronounced among vulnerable groups and in specific regions such as Zeeland and South Limburg. Experts are now calling for a more flexible approach to ensure all newborns get a healthy start.
Community
PSV Stadium welcomes families for an exciting day this May
The Brainport Kampioenen event is offering local families a unique day of activities at the Philips Stadium this May. Designed for children aged 4 to 12, the initiative provides a free afternoon of entertainment for those who may not otherwise have the opportunity for such an outing.
Education
Youth use social media for news despite low trust
Teenagers are increasingly relying on platforms like TikTok and Snapchat for news, yet their trust in social media remains low. A new study explores how the youth encounter information online and why they remain sceptical of AI-generated content.
Kids
Children take the first splash in Tongelreep leisure pool
Families in Eindhoven can return to De Tongelreep following the opening of its new leisure pool and slides. The facility marks the final stage of a major redevelopment project that has been a decade in the making.
Community
Mother tongues replace Dutch and English for a day at the International School Eindhoven
The International School Eindhoven recently set aside its standard curriculum to celebrate the forty languages spoken by its students. Through storytelling and handmade art projects, the event encouraged children to take pride in their native tongues and respect cultural diversity.
Business
Regional census reveals thousands of homeless people across the Netherlands
A major new study has found that over 20,000 people are homeless in the Amsterdam and The Hague regions, many of whom are women and children. The census also highlighted a growing crisis in Eindhoven, where over 1,500 people are without a home, prompting calls for urgent government intervention to address the national housing shortage.