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🇧🇪 Belgium /Culture & Society

Kazou Bans Mobile Phones at Summer Camps for Children Under 13: "They Sometimes Make Homesickness Worse"

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Kazou, a Belgian youth organization, is banning mobile phones for children aged 7 to 12 on its summer camps.
  • The organization aims to enhance group cohesion and reduce homesickness by limiting contact with parents.
  • While younger children must leave phones at home, those 13 and older can bring them but with usage restrictions.

Belgian youth organization Kazou is implementing a ban on mobile phones for children aged 7 to 12 during its summer camps this year. The organization believes this measure will help children focus on the holiday experience and foster a stronger sense of group belonging. Kazou spokesperson Florence Slock stated, "We want children to be able to focus on the holiday experience and group feeling."

We want children to be able to focus on the holiday experience and group feeling.

— Florence SlockExplaining the rationale behind Kazou's mobile phone ban for younger campers.

Another key reason for the ban is to mitigate homesickness. Slock explained that phones can sometimes worsen feelings of homesickness and parental anxiety. "Mobile phones sometimes strengthen homesickness, and the worry of parents," she said. Kazou aims to teach children to discuss such feelings with their monitors, who are trained to provide support. For younger children experiencing homesickness, Kazou provides a "Helpende Hennie" (Helpful Henny) package, including a stuffed rabbit and games to distract or comfort them.

Mobile phones sometimes strengthen homesickness, and the worry of parents.

— Florence SlockDetailing the negative impacts Kazou aims to address with the phone ban.

While the ban applies to children up to 12 years old, participants aged 13 and older are permitted to bring their phones. However, they are not allowed to use them during activities or mealtimes. This policy marks a stricter approach compared to last year, when phones were merely "discouraged" for 11 and 12-year-olds. Kazou sees this age group as being in a crucial phase of developing independence.

We want children to learn to discuss such feelings with their monitors. Those are there to guide them at that moment, and are trained for it.

— Florence SlockDescribing the support system in place for children struggling with homesickness.

Kazou anticipates around 35,000 children and young people will participate in its 900 camps, which range from 4 to 8 days. The organization acknowledges that leaving phones at home can be a hurdle for parents, who are accustomed to frequent contact with their children. However, Kazou emphasizes the benefits of a smartphone-free environment for fostering social interaction and a more immersive camp experience.

Parents are used to hearing from their children multiple times a day. But at summer camps, they are suddenly limited to a message upon arrival.

— Florence SlockAddressing the challenges parents may face with the new phone policy.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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