How the Netherlands Is Keeping Young People Safe in the AI Age
Amsterdam, dinsdag, 4 november 2025.
On Tuesday, 3 November 2025, the Netherlands launched its national rollout of a specially adapted AI assistant for teenagers: Copilot for Teens. Developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) and the Dutch Education Council, the tool is not only a helper for homework or studying, but also an educational partner that teaches young people how to navigate fake news, privacy, and ethics in the digital world. What makes this approach unusual is that AI responses are tailored to a PG-13 standard—meaning they are safe, relevant, and designed for young minds. This step marks a unique fusion of technology, education, and future-oriented care, where responsibility lies not with the user, but with the developer.
The Launch of Copilot for Teens: A National Step Toward Safe AI Use
On Tuesday, 3 November 2025, the nationwide rollout of the custom AI assistant Copilot for Teens began in the Netherlands, an initiative seen as a breakthrough in the digital education of young people. The tool, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) and the Dutch Education Council, is integrated into school platforms such as Digiklas and Moodle and will be available in all secondary schools offering VMBO, HAVO, and VWO programmes from 1 December 2025 [3][4]. The rollout started with a pilot in 150 schools across the regions of Utrecht, North Brabant, and Limburg, followed by a nationwide rollout completed on 3 November 2025 in 300 primary and secondary schools [3][4]. The goal is to help teenagers aged 12 to 18 critically assess online information, identify deepfakes, and protect their personal data, with a strong emphasis on transparency, privacy, and responsible use [4]. The tool uses a limited AI model (Grok-1.5-Teen) with an ethical usage filter and was designed with input from child psychologists and digital safety experts [4].
Safety as a Core Principle: PG-13 Standard and Ethical Restrictions
A unique feature of Copilot for Teens is that AI responses are tuned to a PG-13 standard, meaning the content is safe, relevant, and suitable for young minds [1]. This adaptation ensures conversations are limited to appropriate topics such as study support, hobbies, and general education, while risky or inappropriate situations are actively avoided [1]. The teen AI experience is aligned with age guidelines: responses from Copilot are tailored to reflect what one would expect in a PG-13 film [1]. The tool includes built-in filters to detect inappropriate, misleading, or harmful content and alerts school administrators in case of suspicious usage patterns [3]. For parents, enhanced supervision is available through private options and overview reports of interactions between teen and AI assistant [1]. The rollout is viewed as a strategic shift in perspective, positioning AI assistants as ‘responsible digital companions’ that take ownership of the digital upbringing of the next generation [1].
Educational Objectives: From Support to Critical Thinking
Copilot for Teens is not intended to replace teachers, but to serve as a reinforcing tool for digital competencies in an AI-driven era [3]. The tool offers real-time guidance in navigating online information, with specific features designed to detect fake news, cyberbullying, and unauthorized content [4]. The learning modules were developed by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) in collaboration with the Institute for Digital Safety (IDV) and are mandatory in the curriculum of all VMBO, HAVO, and VWO programmes [3]. These modules include guidelines for using AI in education, including a login system for students (username and password) [3]. The tool is available in Dutch, English, and Papiament and accessible on all mobile devices and desktops via the school network [4]. The rollout is part of the BZK programme Open Government and RDDI (National Digital Innovation Agency), with implementation responsibility held by the VNG (Association of Netherlands Municipalities) [3].
Inclusivity, Reliability, and the Role of Collaboration
The implementation of Copilot for Teens is the result of a joint effort between government institutions, technology companies, and education organisations. The initiative is supported by the Education Inspectorate and the Centre for Ethics in the Digital Society (CEDM), which has established an ethical framework for AI use in education [3]. The tool was developed in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and the Dutch Education Council, aiming to enhance safety and media literacy among young people [4]. The AI Copilot operates under an ethical AI guideline approved by the Council for the Judiciary and the Human Rights Commission [4]. For the public, the VNG Academy has also developed educational programmes explaining what AI is, how to prompt effectively, and how to use AI safely [2]. This approach promotes inclusivity, as the tool is accessible to diverse groups, including students with low digital literacy or language barriers [4].