Shocking images of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have appeared in advertising for iPhone games for children, causing concern among Dutch parents.
In the Netherlands and several European countries, free games offered in the Apple Store such as Angry Birds, Rummikub and Soccer Stars contain advertisements every few minutes.
The Dutch hotline for children and young people “Help Wanted” says it is concerned and alarmed by these images, which could shock children, 7Sur7 reported on Monday, citing Het Laatste Nieuws.
“The consequences can be terrible: nightmares, insomnia, stress and post-traumatic stress syndrome,” the organization told the local newspaper, emphasizing the need for parents to stay informed about what their children see on the Internet.
A Dutch lawyer said he saw his 7-year-old son, associated with his game “Soccer Stars,” see images of the surprise attack by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas and the attacks in the days that followed.
The director of the Dutch Agency for Youth and Media, Jusrtince Pardoen, believes that the American giant has a great responsibility to protect children from “violent images that are not intended for them,” as she told HLN.