Amsterdam launches TikTok channel to provide reliable info for youth

Amsterdam has launched a TikTok account, @JongAmsterdam, aimed at providing young people with trustworthy information on topics ranging from mental health and finances to vaccinations, safety, nutrition, and the transition to adulthood at 18. The city also wants to engage with youths and learn what matters most to them. The channel is available immediately.

“TikTok has become a key source of news for many youths, yet the government is barely present on the platform, limiting access to reliable information,” says Alexander Scholtes, the alderman for information systems and technology. “Meanwhile, misinformation spreads freely on issues that matter to young people, from vaccinations to mental health and nutrition," he continued.

"We need to respond. That’s why we are taking a careful approach to using TikTok; inaction is not an option." Almost three-quarters of 15- to 21-year-olds actively use TikTok, with 22 percent turning to the platform for news, according to the 2025 Grote Jongerenonderzoek, a study from publishing giant Mediahuis

Amsterdam civil servants cannot install TikTok on work phones because of security and privacy risks. To minimize data collection, the city manages its TikTok channel on two dedicated phones with only the app installed, kept separate from municipal systems and operated by a small, authorized team. No ads target under-18s, and no search terms are used, the alderman’s spokesperson explained.

Amsterdam’s TikTok channel forms part of the city’s wider “Online World of Youth” strategy. The initiative aims not just to inform, but also to foster a safe and healthy digital space for youth, tackling issues like misinformation, cyberbullying, and other online risks.

The city plans to evaluate the TikTok channel after 18 months to see what’s effective, identify areas for improvement, and determine whether it should be continued.