Kazou Bans Smartphones for Children Under 13 at Summer Camps

Kazou, one of Belgium’s largest youth camp organizations, has implemented a blanket ban on smartphones for children under 13 attending its summer camps this year. The policy, which applies to participants aged 7 to 12, takes effect immediately for the summer of 2026, affecting approximately 35,000 children across 900 camps lasting 4 to 8 days.

The organization argues that smartphones exacerbate homesickness, undermine group cohesion, and create unnecessary anxiety among parents. According to VRT NWS, the ban marks a significant tightening of previous rules, where phones were merely “discouraged” for 11- and 12-year-olds.

Why the Ban?

Kazou spokesperson Florence Slock explained that children in this age group often reach for their phones the moment they feel homesick or uncomfortable. “Around that age, they still often reach for their phone as soon as they feel a bit down or homesick, to contact their parents,” Slock said. “Then they send a message saying they miss mom and dad. That reinforces the homesickness in the child and at the same time causes anxiety in parents.”

The organization wants children to learn to discuss their feelings with trained camp monitors first. All Kazou monitors receive formal training and have access to a 24/7 support hotline from permanent staff.

For younger children experiencing homesickness, Kazou provides a “Helpende Hennie” comfort package featuring a stuffed rabbit, games, and tools for monitors to distract or comfort children.

The Parent Factor

A notable aspect of the policy is Kazou’s explicit acknowledgment that parents, not just children, struggle with the phone ban. “We increasingly notice that it is also a barrier for parents to send their child on holiday without a phone,” Slock told Het Laatste Nieuws. “Parents today are used to hearing from their children multiple times a day.”

Under the new rules, parents will be limited to a message upon safe arrival, a group photo midway through the trip, and a postcard by mail.

This concern about parental anxiety is not new. In August 2024, Kazou director Kristien Van Mechelen first floated the idea of a ban, citing issues with rapid parent communication leading to media leaks about minor incidents. As VRT NWS reported at the time, Van Mechelen noted that only 6 out of nearly 900 camps experienced stomach flu incidents, yet these were disproportionately reported because parents contacted the press directly.

What About Older Children?

Youth aged 13 and older may bring smartphones to camp but cannot use them during meals or organized activities. Use during free time and long bus journeys is permitted. Slock noted that older teenagers often use phones in ways that can strengthen group bonds. “Young people enjoy making TikToks together or sending messages via Snapchat, that can also work as group bonding,” she said.

Other Organizations Hold Back

Kazou is currently the only major Belgian youth organization with a blanket smartphone ban for younger participants. Other organizations such as Chiro, Scouts en Gidsen Vlaanderen, KLJ, and Freetime have not adopted similar policies, instead leaving decisions to local groups.

A spokesperson for Scouts en Gidsen Vlaanderen told VRT NWS that they recommend local groups reach a “reasonable consensus.” “An occasional group photo in the WhatsApp group to keep parents happy, or an Instastory of the campfire: sometimes phones certainly come in handy at camp. But on the other hand, it’s also nice to just be unreachable sometimes.”

Broader Context

Kazou’s decision reflects a wider societal debate about screen time, childhood independence, and parental anxiety in an era of constant connectivity. The organization’s unique structure — where children sign up individually rather than as part of a local group — may create different challenges around separation anxiety compared to traditional youth movements.

Kazou has also taken other steps to protect children’s privacy this summer. In early July, the organization announced it would stop sharing photos of children in swimwear online, citing risks of AI manipulation, as reported by Nieuwsblad.

What’s Next

As thousands of children head off to Kazou camps this summer, the question remains whether other Belgian youth organizations will follow suit. The policy’s impact on enrollment numbers and the real-world effects on children’s camp experiences will be closely watched by educators, parents, and youth organizations across the country.