Sign up for the newsletter and stay always up to date!
App

28 September 2023

How can parents explain to children how to use a smartphone if they do not know enough about it themselves? Closing this gap between the generations is desperately needed because in 90% of cases, children depend on their parents for explanations about their first phone. However, parents are having a hard time; 75% indicate that they experience difficulties in the first months after their kids get a smartphone and 89% would like more information about the apps that children use. It’s time to start at the beginning and teach children and their parents to use smartphones responsibly and resiliently. That’s why ChatLicense is available from today; a family app that guides generations through the online world.

Clueless in the digital deep

The idea for the app came when founder Marjolein van Tilburg – lawyer and privacy specialist – purchased the first smartphone for her eldest daughter. “You both actually have no idea what you are getting into,” Marjolein indicates. “It’s like throwing your child into the deep without a swimming diploma. The information for parents and kids is fragmented and is often sent as a one-way street. The way in which the smartphone comes into a child’s life must and can be improved. With ChatLicense we want to ensure that everyone has a smart, safe and fun online life.”

From limits to skills

When using the smartphone, people often focus on limitations, but ChatLicense is all about what improving skills to make sure the time online spend is safer and smarter. “By banning (apps) and applying screen times you set limits, which is a good start. But children have to develop the righ skills to go online, like the right online social behavior, knowledge about how to deal with influencers and the safe use of apps” says Marjolein. “In our smartphone experience game all kinds of real-life events and dilemmas are incorporated into different types of content. This comes to life in the app via a scientifically based learning method (in collaboration with MovezLab from the EUR). We think it is important that we touch the minds and hearts of children.” Parents get access to a continuously up-to-date information portal where they can find everything in one place to get to know their children’s online world (better) and use this information to start a conversation with their child.

Making an impact together

The app was created with experts, scientists and story makers and extensively tested by parents and children. The ChatLicense team consists of several founders, one of them is Nizar El Manouzi, presenter and actor in the Netherlands. ChatLicense’s mission is to make the app accessible to every child, which is why collaborations are important. The ChatLicense mission is supported by KPN, which as a partner immediately embraced the app upon launch. As of now ChatLicense is therefore also available for mobile customers who expand their KPN subscription with the KPN Kids Sim.

ChatLicense can be downloaded in Dutch (English version will follow soon) for free from the Apple Appstore and Google Playstore. An in-app subscription for one child and two parents/guardians costs €39.99 per year.

News, updates and fun info!

Themes 16 April, 2025

Abbrevations you need to know

Of course, as a parent you are not completely up to date with all the abbreviations that your child uses online. However, there are certain abbreviations that you really need to know for the safety of your child. In this...

Community 9 April, 2025

Meet ChatLicense at GITEX Singapore

ChatLicense is one of eight Dutch startups with a booth at GITEX in Singapore. This year, this global tech & startup fair will also take place in Asia for the very first time. ChatLicense will be there to discuss new...

Themes 29 March, 2025

Emoji Cheat Sheet

Emojis have multiple meanings. Depending on who you’re texting with and which generation you belong to, the 🔥 or a 💜 can have a completely different meaning. The much-discussed Netflix series Adolescence makes it clear again how important it is...

Themes 21 March, 2025

When is your child ready for their first smartphone?  

For many children, the first smartphone couldn’t come soon enough. Some parents wait as long as possible, others watch what other class parents do. But how do you know if your child is ready? Please read these four important points!...

News 26 February, 2025

ChatLicense soon available for Fairphone users

ChatLicense and Fairphone collaborating to encourage responsible smartphone use  Dutch social enterprises Fairphone and ChatLicense have signed an agreement for a brand collaboration designed to help children use smartphones responsibly. Fairphone will soon gift ChatLicense—the “driver’s license” for a child’s...