A Dutch survey suggests younger people are more likely to feel observed by home video doorbells than older generations, underscoring generational differences in privacy perceptions around everyday surveillance technology.

Key findings

The research, commissioned by Kozijnshop.nl and carried out by PanelWizard among 1,014 Dutch respondents, found that:

• 33% of all respondents say they feel watched when they pass a video doorbell.
• 46% of people under 30 report feeling watched, compared with 28% of those aged 60 and over.
• 63% of respondents under 30 are uncomfortable with the idea that a neighbour’s doorbell camera could capture part of their private space, versus 47% among 60-plus respondents.

Why younger people may be more worried

Roy de Kleijn, a university lecturer in cognitive psychology and an expert on artificial intelligence, told the researchers that the gap may reflect how different generations experienced technological change. Older adults often saw early automation and consumer electronics as straightforward improvements, while younger people have come to expect a more complex trust model around connected devices.

De Kleijn noted that trusting a video doorbell goes beyond the physical device: users must also trust the manufacturer, the cloud storage provider, the security of the internet connection and whether the system contains vulnerabilities or backdoors. That wider awareness of the ecosystem, he said, may make younger people more critical and more likely to feel uneasy about who can access recorded footage.

Regulation and practical concerns

Although Dutch privacy authority guidance states that a device should not film other people’s homes without good reason, the survey and expert comment highlight that legal rules do not always remove people’s discomfort. Uncertainty about how footage is handled and whether rules are followed in practice contribute to unease.

Method and source

The survey was conducted by PanelWizard among 1,014 people and is reported by Kozijnshop.nl. The survey is representative by gender, age, education level, household composition, employment and region. The full press release and materials were distributed via ANP Connect.

For journalists: the company contact listed in the release is Bart Voortman at Kozijnshop.nl.

Source: Original press release