When their favorite band gives a concert, their favorite YouTuber organizes a fan meeting, or a national team match takes place in their own city, young people are thrilled and would like to see their idol live. Gamers are also role models for young people and play in public at so-called e-sports events.
E-sports (“electronic sport”) refers to computer or console games in the form of sporting competitions, played alone or in teams. Year after year, successful e-athletes win millions of dollars in prize money at tournaments. Largely organized tournaments are attended or followed online by enthusiastic fans around the world. Sold-out arenas speak for the huge enthusiasm and fascination for the electronic sport. Probably the biggest event in the world is the “LoL”, the League of Legends World Championship. During a tournament period of LoL, gaming fans fill several arenas. What dimensions this has already taken on is made clear by the venues. The 2024 final took place at the O2 Arena in London, UK. Many events are streamed live, for example on Twitch.
If parents do not set the appropriate parental control settings or do not pay attention to the age labels, children and young people can face various risks when playing online at home – such as being contacted by strangers or accessing games that are not appropriate for their age. At larger e-sports events, on the other hand, the protection of minors is generally implemented consistently.
Since 01.01.2026, e-sports have also been considered non-profit. In connection with this, e-sports games that want to be considered charitable must be labeled with a USK age rating. At public events, organizers are obliged to observe the age restrictions for the games on offer.
If the age of the participants is not checked, only games with a USK 0 and USK 6 rating may be presented in accordance with the German Youth Protection Act. Games with USK 12, USK 16 and USK 18 may only be made accessible to young people after an age check, for example via wristbands and admission controls. At many events, these areas are physically separated to prevent younger visitors from gaining access or insight. Concepts must be in place at club level as to which measures are used to ensure the protection of minors. In the event of violations, the non-profit status can be revoked and fines imposed.
Would your child also like to attend an e-sports event or even take part in a competition? Be critical, especially with privately organized competitions, and familiarize yourself with the local conditions:
E-sports events are also offered and run by some youth centers and educational providers. You may be able to find one in your area. Ask a youth center in your area if they would like to host an e-sports event.
If your child wants to watch an e-sports event online, pay attention to which platforms and streamers your child uses, which games are shown there, which age ratings apply and whether your child is active in live chat. Agree clear time limits and stay in contact so that your child can turn to you if they are unsettled or distressed by content.
Further information on e-sports can be found here in the NRW gaming guide.
Learning new things and doing homework with chatbots, playing music via voice command on smart speakers, and receiving content recommendations tailored to personal tastes—artificial intelligence (AI) is an integral part of our everyday lives. Children and young people in particular use AI tools as a matter of course, but not always consciously. AI technologies are developing rapidly and continuously. It is not easy for parents to keep track of everything: Which applications are particularly popular with young people? What opportunities, challenges, and risks arise from their use?
At the parents’ evening, we will introduce you to the most popular AI applications and look at their significance in the everyday media lives of adolescents. One focus will be on the risks for children and young people when communicating with chatbots, e.g., disinformation, inappropriate or problematic responses, and when interpersonal relationships are replaced.
Join us live, get practical tips on how to introduce your child to the safe and responsible use of (generative) AI, and ask our experts your questions—we will provide answers and are available for discussion!
The virtual parents’ evening is an event held as part of Safer Internet Day 2026 – you can find out more about the campaign day at klicksafe.
Date: February 11, 2026 | Time: 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Procedure: (Media education) input (approx. 40 minutes) followed by an open discussion
Speakers: Lidia de Reese und Nils Rudolf (FSM)
Moderation: FSM e.V.
Platform: The virtual parents’ evening is realized via the “Zoom” tool.
Privacy Notice: Zoom is a service of Zoom Video Communications Inc. which is based in the USA. We use Zoom via the German operator WTG. The WTG server is located in Europe. Furthermore, within the Zoom service we have chosen the configurations with the highest data and security protection.
Please also take note of our privacy policy.
Registration:
Children and young people encounter AI in many places today: Chatbots answer questions for homework, voice assistants help in everyday life, creative apps generate images, music or short stories. This can be exciting, inspiring and confusing at the same time. Many parents therefore ask themselves: How do I guide my child so that they use AI curiously, safely and critically without being overwhelmed? Don’t worry: you don’t have to be an AI expert to accompany your child safely.
Artificial intelligence is often surprisingly clever. It responds quickly, friendly and sometimes more convincingly than adults. However, children should understand: AI does not “know” anything. It merely calculates which answers are likely to seem correct. And that is precisely why it can make mistakes, adopt prejudices or invent content.
Many AI applications also save the data entered. Depending on the tool, more or less information can be collected. Children should therefore learn early on to handle personal information with care. It should also be clear that AI is no substitute for personal advice, teachers or parents.
The younger children are, the more guidance they need when dealing with AI. For primary school children in particular, it is important to try things out together, ask questions and scrutinize results.
Can’t find an answer to your question? Ask your personal questions about your child’s media use directly and conveniently using the messenger service via WhatsApp or Threema. You can find more information here.
In the age of social media, it is easy to gain insights into the lives of famous people – and to feel surprisingly close to them. However, what almost feels like a friendship for fans in front of their (mobile) screens is primarily a job for the creators that earns them money. We need to make children and young people in particular aware of the business model behind this supposed closeness.
For many young people, it sounds dreamy and tempting to get rich with short or longer internet videos. In reality, however, highly successful profiles usually involve a whole team, precise production planning and a sophisticated marketing strategy. This is because the content must be specifically designed and played out in such a way that it generates reach – and ultimately revenue.
Influencers earn their money in various ways:
For children and young people, ‘their’ influencers are often important role models and idols. They enjoy a high level of trust among young people, their content and statements are rarely questioned and their ‘product recommendations‘ are readily accepted.
By using the advertised products, young people feel closer to the lifestyle of the influencers and stars as well as to themselves and can thus express their own identity or affiliation.
Influencer marketing is aimed much more directly and precisely at specific target groups and has a very personal impact, which is why it has long been more important and more successful than traditional TV and radio commercials.
Advertising is not recognizedRecommendations appear personal and honest, but are often paid for. If this is not recognized, trust can be exploited.
Closeness is misunderstood: Virtual interactions – for example via live chats or gifts to influencers – can create the impression of genuine relationships that do not exist in reality. The relationship is “one-sided”, as the fans are usually an anonymous mass for the influencer in question.
Consumer pressure arises: Creators often show a lot of new products and a lifestyle full of “must-haves”. This can distort expectations, affect self-esteem and lead to financial problems.
Stay up to date and talk to your child about their consumer behavior. Influencers play an important role in guiding children and young people. Be understanding and show interest. Ask your child which creators they follow and why. Take a look at their content together and talk about what you have seen.
For many children, what their peers use and do is important. The need to belong is part of their development. Help your child set up a social media account if they want to be on these platforms, and together make sure they have privacy settings and provide truthful age information so that the platforms’ safety precautions can take effect.
Talk about how influencers earn money, how your child recognizes advertising, the strategies behind it and how good purchasing decisions can be made.
To avoid unexpected costs, we have created a checklist for you on how you can limit in-app purchases on your child’s device.
If you would like to find out more about this topic, take a look at our colleagues at klicksafe over. They describe how exactly YouTubers earn money.
The smell of cookies, shopping stress, shining children’s eyes: the holidays are approaching and digital devices and games are on the wish lists of many children and young people. What should parents consider before and after giving a gift? Between the years and during the vacations, there is also time for shared family media experiences. How can this be designed in a safe, age-appropriate and even creative way? In this article, we give you an overview of offers from the Elternguide.online partner network.
The Christmas vacations can be long, especially when the weather outside doesn’t really invite you to play. If you have devices such as smartphones, tablets, cameras or a laptop at home – how about you and your child just get started? You can take photos or film together, try out new creative apps and actively organize media time. It’s great fun and your child will also learn something about media skills along the way.
On the website kinder.jff.de there are suggestions for simple media projects that children aged 3 and over can do at home with the support of you as parents. This is helped by child-friendly video instructions in which the implementation of the media projects is shown step by step. How about a photo memory with Christmas tree decorations or an audio story about Christmas traditions?
knipsclub offers a safe environment for young photo fans between the ages of 8 and 12 to try out their skills in a closed and pedagogically supervised photo community and exchange photos with each other. On the website you will find creative photo tips, for example on
You are probably familiar with challenges from social media, e.g. dance challenges on TikTok. Children and young people love to take on challenges. Challenges don’t necessarily only have to take place on the Internet, you can also play them at home with your family! Why not try out the top photo challenge, the clip challenge or the re-enactment challenge? We have made a few suggestions in our parents’ guide article. You can find more Advent challenges on the website of the JFF project webhelm.de.
Children have many questions and learn early on that their questions will be answered on the Internet. How is Christmas celebrated in other countries? What craft tips and baking recipes are there for Christmas? The children’s search engine fragFINN offers children access to around 3,400 verified websites, including almost 400 children’s sites. Primary school children can gain their first Internet experience here in a protected surfing room and learn how to use search engines and search results. In the fragFINN Advent calendar, children can open a little door every day, behind which are links to other children’s sites with a wide range of information and offers suitable for the winter season. You can find more playful learning pages in this parents’ guide article.
Your child probably also likes watching videos and going to the movies. A TV evening together can be a really nice family experience. Pay attention to the FSK age rating to protect your child from unsuitable content. But be careful: FSK ratings are
Parents must decide individually when their child is ready for their first smartphone, depending on their level of development and experience. After all, a smartphone theoretically opens up the whole world of the Internet to your child, with all its opportunities and risks. klicksafe offers comprehensive information for parents. Use the smartphone readiness checklist to check whether a smartphone is ready to go under the Christmas tree. Has the decision been positive? Then find out about the technical setting options and set up your smartphone to be childproof. You can find all information material from klicksafe in this topic special.
Would you like to prepare your child for the first smartphone under the Christmas tree? Child-friendly information on the first smartphone is available in the children’s magazine Genial Digital from Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk. The fragFINN app gives your child a protected surfing space on their first smartphone and gives them access to quality, positive content.
Are you considering buying a smartwatch as an alternative? Then take a look at this topic from klicksafe. Please note: technical protective measures are no substitute for family discussions and media rules. Stay in contact with your child and accompany them as they take their first steps with a smartwatch or smartphone.
In addition to discussions and media rules, technical youth media protection is an important component of media education. Use the screen time and digital wellbeing settings on smartphones to set time limits for the entire device or for different apps and to filter content. The parental control program JusProg offers a precise filtering option for websites and safe default settings for mobile devices and laptops. Google Family Link and YouTube Kids offer the opportunity to make media experiences safer for your child in the world of the internet giant Google. Social media apps such as Instagram and TikTok also offer safety features and parental guidance options. Streaming with the family can be a fun activity during the vacations. Almost all streaming services have certified offers for the protection of minors. Use your own child profiles and the parental control function with the PIN. Many of the youth protection programs have been approved by the expert commission of the Voluntary Self-Regulation of Multimedia Service Providers (FSM). You can find out more about technical solutions for the protection of minors in the media on the FSM website.
Detailed instructions for all devices can be found on the website medien-kindersicher.de.
Which games should I give my child for Christmas? Are games okay for preschoolers? In the family section of the USK website and via the USK brochures, you will find all the information you need on the USK’s age ratings, the additional information and how to deal with the subject of games in the family.
The USK mark indicates the age at which a game does not cause any developmental impairments. The additional information such as “fantasy violence” or “pressure to act” gives parents a good indication of whether a game is suitable for their own child. Educational assessments of games can be found at the NRW games guide. Descriptions of popular games like Fortnite, Minecraft or Roblox are available on Elternguide.online. The USK lexicon explains the most important terms, devices and genres.
Would you like to make your child happy with a game for Christmas? Find out about the distribution channels for games and technical precautionary measures. Various settings for the protection of minors can be made on consoles as well as in game stores and the games themselves. Play together with your child and ask them interesting questions about their favorite games.
The team at Elternguide.online wishes you and your family a wonderful Christmas season and lots of fun using media safely and creatively!
Want to quickly watch a children’s series, a movie for the evening or the important soccer match? It’s all on Joyn. Joyn is a streaming platform like
Joyn is the German middle ground between traditional television and major streaming services. The service can be accessed via smartphone, tablet, PC or smart TV, via app or in the browser. Children and young people can find current TV shows, their
Joyn is particularly attractive for children and young people because the basic version is free of charge and can sometimes even be used without logging in. Many freely available live TV contents can be accessed directly in the browser. For additional functions – such as personalized recommendations or saving watchlists – registration with an email address is required.
If parents don’t want to or can’t subscribe to their own streaming service, Joyn is still easily accessible. The platform offers many shows and series that are currently being talked about in the school playground, including Big Brother, The Masked Singer and Germany’s Next Top Model.
Particularly appealing for young fans of the programs: Joyn offers opportunities to actively participate in the app. For example, viewers can vote on who advances to the next round in a show, take part in quiz formats or take part in competitions. This reinforces the feeling of being right in the middle of the action and motivates viewers to tune in regularly.
Anyone using Joyn will initially only be shown content that is approved for under 16s. The account must be verified with an ID number for everything that is approved from 16 or 18. However, this age verification does not offer complete protection. Parents can create a profile and secure it with a parental control PIN so that children can only play content that has been approved for ages 0, 6 or 12.
Important to know: Content that cannot be played remains visible. Preview images, titles or short descriptions can arouse children’s curiosity or draw their attention to topics that are
Joyn emphasizes that the protection of minors is an essential part of the platform and that all legal requirements are complied with. The parental control PIN cannot simply be deactivated and the provider provides detailed instructions on how to set up profiles for children. Age verification is carried out in compliance with data protection regulations and the data is only stored temporarily
Make clear agreements with your child about what can and cannot be watched. If possible, use the offer together – especially with younger children. Actively accompany your child, talk about the content and whether something may cause anxiety or unpleasant feelings. Set up a profile with a parental control PIN if your child is too young to view content from the age of 16 or 18. Make sure that content with a parental rating of 0, 6 and 12 years remains accessible to everyone. Talk to your child regularly about what
The JIM study (Youth, Information, Media) provides insights into the media use of young people (aged 12 to 19) in Germany. It is conducted annually by the Media Education Research Association Southwest. Here we summarize the most important results so that parents can better support their children.
Almost all young people (98%) own a smartphone that they use every day. On average, they spend around four hours a day on the device, with older young people spending over four and a half hours. It is not only the duration that is decisive, but also the type of content that young people consume. This usage time includes both school work and leisure activities. From the age of 16 in particular, many use their smartphone almost continuously. Even if they are aware of how important it is to take breaks, many find it difficult to regulate their use independently.
Social media platforms and messengers remain the most important channels for communicating, finding information and organizing everyday life.
For the first time, the 2025 study focuses on the topic of artificial intelligence (AI): 91% of young people use at least one AI tool.
Even younger teenagers use AI regularly. Parents should therefore
The study also shows that many young people have negative experiences: Around a quarter are aware of cases of bullying in their environment, while 9 percent have been affected themselves. The
In addition to this overview, we also recommend the miniKIM study on media use by young children and the KIM Study 2022 for younger children.
Further detailed information on the JIM Study 2025 can be found on the website of the Medienpädagogischer Forschungsverbund Südwest and at Handysektor.
Arrange a meeting with your best friend via online message, ask about homework in a class chat or chat digitally with friends about the latest soccer transfer rumors. According to the JIM study, WhatsApp is the most used app among young people. But at what age can the messenger be officially used?
The USK (Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body) has approved WhatsApp for ages 12 and up. The USK checks the age at which online games and apps are considered suitable in Germany. Its age ratings are based on the provisions of the German Youth Protection Act and the Interstate Treaty on the Protection of Minors in the Media. The reason for the 12+ label is that WhatsApp is a messenger app whose content cannot be checked in advance. Thanks to the public community function, WhatsApp also contains functions that are similar to social media platforms such as Facebook or Instagram. At the same time, however, WhatsApp also has block and report functions. Among other things, a USK 12 rating is awarded if an app or game has a chat function that includes the usual moderation tools and safeguards. If the age of your child is stored in the Google Play Store, the app can only be installed from the age of 12.
WhatsApp itself specifies a minimum age of 13 years in its General Terms and Conditions. The T&Cs are rules for using an online service. Before using the app, your child must confirm that they are at least 13 years old. Whether this is true is not actively checked. However, if it becomes known that a user is under the age of 13, WhatsApp has the right to delete the account.
According to the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), WhatsApp may process data from the age of 16 without parental consent. If your child is younger, WhatsApp needs your consent as a parent or guardian. By allowing your child to use WhatsApp, you also consent to the messenger service processing your child’s data (e.g. cell phone number).
As parents, you can take 13 years as a guide. Children under the age of 12 should not use the offer under any circumstances. Officially applies:
If your child is between the ages of 13 and 16, they may use WhatsApp, but they need your consent. Set up rules together with your child, explain the risks to your child and explain the app’s reporting and blocking functions to your child. Set up the account together and pay particular attention to security and privacy settings. You can find more tips on setting up WhatsApp safely here at medien-kindersicher.
Can’t find an answer to your question? Ask your personal questions about your child’s media use directly and conveniently using the messenger service via WhatsApp or Threema. You can find more information here.
What words did you use when you were younger – and what did your parents think? Think about it. It is perfectly normal that you sometimes do not understand your child because they use words that you do not know or use.
Our language is shaped by the adult world. Adolescents have a strong need to form their own identity, to become independent and to distinguish themselves from adults. This is also expressed in the so-called youth language with which they create their own world. With their own language, or at least their own terms, they create something of their own and typical of youth. This connects and creates self-confidence. Using the “outdated” slang of the parents would sound old-fashioned and uncool.
In each new generation, in certain youth scenes and even in different places, youth language changes and there are different words and expressions. Typically, young people speak more easily than adults. In doing so, they sometimes use unusual or unfamiliar terms. The language is less “correct” because young people speak more spontaneously. Instead, it transports much more feelings and moods.
Online communication also has a strong influence on how young people speak or write. In messenger chat, for example, emojis, GIFs, stickers and memes are used. The language is significantly abbreviated and often incorrect. Terms from the
Check out your knowledge around your child’s language. The following words will be particularly popular in 2025. At the end of the post you will find the resolution.
So there is no serious reason to worry if you sometimes do not understand your child. Respect the desire for boundaries and generally be understanding if your child uses different words than you do. But that doesn’t mean you have to let him tell you everything. Especially if the language is indecent, hurtful or offensive. Tell your child. Make it clear to them why they should not speak to others in the same way and, if necessary, agree on rules for dealing with each other. The use of youth language can also be problematic in online communication, for example in trash talk in online games or cyberbullying. Talk to your child about respectful behavior online. The same rules that apply offline for fair and respectful interaction should also be observed online: Fairness, openness and respect.
You are and will remain the adult from whom your child wishes to distinguish him or herself. Therefore, do not try to approach linguistically. This is more likely to be perceived by your child as an invasion of his or her privacy. Speak the way you always do. Nevertheless, you can occasionally enjoy your child’s imaginative word creations and ask if you don’t understand something!
Resolutions:
Of course, you know your child’s friends from school or the sports club. But what about acquaintances with whom your child has contact only via the Internet? Whether online gaming, in video chats or via social media – wherever children and young people communicate with each other, they can come into contact with people who have negative intentions. According to the JIM Study 2024, almost a third of the 12-19-year-olds surveyed had experienced sexual harassment online.
Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok or Discord, which children and young people like to use, also attract users with paedocriminal tendencies. This is criminal behavior directed against minors. Adults approach children with the aim of sexually harassing or even abusing them. This targeted approach online is called cybergrooming.
The strategies are varied – but they are always aimed at gaining the trust of children and young people and gaining control over communication.
A clear warning signal is if the stranger wants to move the chat to a private messenger such as WhatsApp or Telegram – because nobody can read it there. This chat should remain secret at all costs. In such private conversations, trust is built up that can later be exploited. This is often followed by a request for intimate photos or videos. These can then be used for
You can find out more about this problematic phenomenon in this video from the Kinderschutzbund:
You can find more tips on how to protect your child from sexual violence on social networks here.
Children and young people are particularly curious. Therefore, they sometimes forget all warnings and can fall into a trap. Make it absolutely clear to your child that even in such cases, the perpetrator is solely to blame. Cybergrooming – even attempts – are punishable in Germany. If your child is sexually harassed, be there for your child and do not blame him or her. Report the perpetrators on the respective platform or to reporting centers. Secure evidence by taking screenshots of the chat history and profile and make sure you report it to the police! But be careful with depictions of abuse of children and young people. It is a criminal offense to possess them. The Internet Complaints Office has summarized information on dealing with depictions of abuse online in this PDF. You can find more information on this topic in this article.
Children and young people can find help, advice and information here:
The following contact points are available for parents:
You can find more digital advice for children, young people and parents here.
Having their own tablet can be exciting for children: playing games, reading books, getting creative or using educational apps. However, many parents ask themselves: when is it worth giving them their own device – and when is the family tablet enough?
A shared tablet makes sense in the early years. Your child can try out content while you accompany, explain and restrict what they see and do. One family device is often enough to gain initial experience with apps, videos or games and to reflect on media use together.
It makes sense for your child to have their own tablet if they want to use media independently on a regular basis, pursue their own interests or use learning apps that require personal accounts. For children from around 6 to 7 years of age, having their own device can be useful if you clearly regulate and supervise their use.
It’s not age that matters, but your child’s maturity: Can they follow rules? Do you know how to surf the net safely? Can it reflect on content and distinguish between games, learning, and entertainment? Only when these skills are in place is it worthwhile to purchase your own device.
A tablet for children should be robust, intuitive to use and not too expensive. Simple devices with a sturdy casing and a child-friendly interface are good entry-level options. Check whether educational apps, audio books or creative tools are useful and whether in-app purchases and advertising can be deactivated.
Whether it’s a family device or your own, set usage times, content, and rules together. Parental Controls, family accounts, and youth protection apps help to control media use. Discuss together: How long should your child be allowed to use the tablet? What content is permitted?
Having your own tablet can promote digital independence if you provide guidance: explain functions, try out learning apps together, and talk critically about advertising, algorithms and content. This will teach your child to use media consciously and reflectively.
Can’t find an answer to your question? Ask your personal questions about your child’s media use directly and conveniently using the messenger service via WhatsApp or Threema. You can find more information here.
“Just ask a chatbot!” – This is a tip that parents now often hear when it comes to quickly searching for information or support with tasks. ChatGPT has long since become part of everyday life not only for adults, but also for children and young people. We provide an insight into what the tool can do, how it works and what you should look out for.
ChatGPT is an AI-based chatbot that analyzes texts and writes them itself. It can answer questions, provide ideas or summarize longer texts in natural language and often with astonishing precision. The AI has been trained with huge amounts of data from books, websites and conversations and mimics human communication. ChatGPT can also be integrated into other services, such as WhatsApp or Instagram.
The free version uses the GPT-4o-mini model with training data up to around October 2023 and can also access the internet to a limited extent. The Plus version has comprehensive internet access and offers additional functions.
Question: I am planning my son’s birthday. Can you help?
ChatGPT: Sure! How old will your son be and what does he particularly like? Then we can collect ideas for games, decorations or food.
Question: He’ll be nine and loves dinosaurs.
ChatGPT: How about a dinosaur treasure hunt in the garden? You can hide little figures and draw a map. Or bake dino cookies – would you like me to find you a recipe?
With “Family Pairing”, OpenAI offers the option of linking parent and child accounts in order to offer underage users more protection. The aim is to show
ChatGPT is easily accessible, fast and versatile. It can write creative texts, answer complex questions and communicate in several languages. For many children, it feels like they are talking to a real person. The tool encourages creativity, language comprehension and structured thinking, while supporting digital independence.
Children and young people use ChatGPT for example for:
OpenAI emphasizes:
Try it out together: Test ChatGPT together. Then discuss which answers are useful or problematic. This will help your child learn how to deal critically with AI.
Use the family pairing function: Check the settings and activate protection mechanisms if necessary.
Encourage critical thinking: Explain that ChatGPT does not provide “truth” but recognizes patterns. Answers can be wrong or contain prejudices.
Keep an eye on data protection: Do not disclose any personal data together, i.e. no names, addresses, telephone numbers or photos. If your child uses ChatGPT via WhatsApp or other apps, discuss the fact that additional data is shared there.
For school: ChatGPT can support learning, for example to explain difficult terms simply or to summarize texts. However, it should not be used for homework. Make it clear to your child: AI is a tool that can support learning, but cannot take over.
Keep the conversation going: Encourage your child to speak up if they feel uncomfortable or receive inappropriate content. AI can be exciting, but should always be used consciously and critically.
The first Esports World Cup (EWC) took place in 2024. The event was watched by over 500 million viewers. Divided into 22 tournaments, the prize money totaled USD 60 million (= approx. €51.46 million). The games played included
The E in e-sport stands for “electronic”. The term therefore means something like “electronic sport”. The game is played on the computer or on a game console, either alone or in teams against each other. Players receive important league points or move up a rank. Real-time strategy games and first-person shooters are the most popular due to their complexity and entertainment value. This is because e-sports tournaments are played in front of a live audience – similar to a soccer match in a stadium. However, compared to traditional sports such as soccer or tennis, e-sports do not involve a great deal of physical exertion. It is primarily mental and motor skills that are trained and developed. These include, for example, tactics, fast reaction times, stamina and forward thinking. Organizational talent and social skills are also in demand: training times have to be arranged, agreements made within the team and often the athletes have to make their own financial arrangements.
Long before e-sports became an issue in Germany, e-athletes were already being celebrated like pop stars in Asia. In some countries, e-sports is even classified as a sport in its own right. E-sports will also be considered a non-profit sport in Germany from 01.01.2026. This brings financial and legal benefits and security for the sport and gamers. For example, clubs will be supported by public funding, e-sports will receive broader social recognition and become more competitive. Children and young people benefit from the recognition of e-sports as a non-profit activity in that they experience participation and community through broader, more accessible and more sustainable offers in the club. As e-sports mainly take place online, barriers such as location dependency or lack of accessibility can be overcome more easily. This makes it possible to play in a team with gamers from other countries or to play in an inclusive group.
The new amendment to the law now officially defines e-sports as a term. As with other sports, it emphasizes the importance of tactical, motor and strategic skills. If you are active as an e-athlete and play well, you can even make a lucrative business out of it. The dream of many e-athletes is to become better and better and more famous so that one day they can earn a living from it and turn their hobby into a career. There are also clubs where players can sign contracts.
If your child is an e-sports player or would like to become one, find out about the USK age ratings for the respective games. They provide information on whether the game is safe from the point of view of the protection of minors, i.e. whether it does not contain any harmful content for the respective age. E-sports can quickly tempt you to play for a very long time and spend money on equipment. You should therefore define clear rules together with your child, such as playing times and duration, and also make framework conditions, such as financial ones, clear. Also find out who your child communicates with about the game – they are usually the same friends your child spends time with. Also observe your child’s gaming behavior so that you can react if other activities such as spending time with friends outside of gaming or school are neglected. Have a conversation with your child and talk about why they would like to become an e-athlete. Show interest, let them show you their favorite games and why not try them out for yourself! This way you can experience for yourself why your child enjoys the game so much as a competition. And perhaps you and your child will soon be playing together.
It can happen that children or young people come across content online that depicts violence. When scrolling through social media, on video platforms or when such videos are shared in group chats in Messenger. This may involve fights, abuse, accidents or drastic images from war zones. Such content can frighten and disturb children or young people. It also violates the right to one’s own image of the person concerned and may even be punishable by law.
Under no circumstances should such content be redistributed. This prevents even more people from seeing the content. If the content is illegal, publishing and redistributing it can even have criminal consequences.
We can also encourage young people to do even more by not ignoring such content, but actively reporting it. Look together to see where the report function can be found on the platforms used, such as Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok or YouTube. According to the terms of use, violent and cruel content is not permitted and should be deleted. Messages or people can also be reported on WhatsApp.
The online advice platform for young people Juuuport even offers a separate reporting option for young people, e.g. for violent videos, extremism or hate speech. The internet complaints offices FSM, eco and jugendschutz.net then take care of these complaints.
Violence also plays a role in fictional media content, such as films, series or games. Content that is easy for older children, teenagers and adults to process can frighten young children. This is why there are age restrictions for depictions of violence in the media, which are regulated by the protection of minors in the media. The age labels of films or computer games show you as parents from what age the content shown is suitable.
However, children and young people can also come across real depictions of violence online. An experience report from Juuuport clearly shows how differently young people deal with violent videos online and can make it easier for you to start the conversation.
Talk to your child about possible negative experiences online. Show them the reporting and blocking functions on the relevant platforms and discuss how algorithms select content. Also explain how to ‘maintain’ or reset this content to keep your child’s online experience safer and healthier. Talk about what it means when photos or videos have a ‘sensitive content warning’ and what your child should do if this happens. Also find out about the legal regulations for the protection of minors in the media and about technical protection options via apps and settings for your child on devices or in individual services.
Can’t find an answer to your question? Ask your personal questions about your child’s media use directly and conveniently using the messenger service via WhatsApp or Threema. You can find more information here.
Roblox is a very popular game among children and young people. Here you can create virtual worlds in Lego style, a mixture of game world and social network. At the beginning of 2025, Roblox received the new age rating of 16+ – we take a look at what this means for young people and you as parents.
Roblox combines gaming, social media and creative design on one platform. For example, chat functions are also included, players can develop their own games and even earn money with them. In January 2025, the Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body (USK) raised the age rating for Roblox from 12 to 16. The reasons for the increase are violent content, increased purchase incentives and a range of offers for different age groups. The USK also points out online risks, e.g. chats and in-game purchases with random content, so-called loot boxes. With these gambling-like mechanisms, it is particularly difficult for younger people to keep track of their spending. If accounts are not adequately secured, children and young people can come into contact with problematic behavior such as cybergrooming or cyberbullying.
In addition, the security measures intended to protect younger players are not sufficient: there are no age labels in accordance with German youth protection standards and children’s accounts are not secure enough. The new age rating “from 16 years” should also provide parents with better guidance.
What does this mean for you and other families? First of all, if your child (under the age of 16) already has a Roblox account, you are not obliged to delete the account due to the age rating upgrade. However, the reasons for raising the age rating clearly show that the platform harbors risks for children that need to be taken seriously. Based on this, you as parents must ultimately decide whether the platform is still suitable for your child.
You don’t want to ban use completely? Make sure you check the account restrictions together and adjust them if necessary. In any case, create a parent account and link it to your child’s account. Talk to your child about the age upgrade and why the approval has been adjusted. Think about how future use can be made safer – for example, only when accompanied by you or older siblings.
If you decide that your child should delete an existing Roblox account, talk about it together and explain your reasons. Show understanding for the fact that this decision may make your child sad or angry. Think together about what alternative, age-appropriate games your child might enjoy. You can find recommendations, for example, at the NRW games guide.
If you are already using a parental control program, depending on the age setting, games with a 16+ rating may be automatically blocked. You can read more about games here.
Can’t find an answer to your question? Ask your personal questions about your child’s media use directly and conveniently using the messenger service via WhatsApp or Threema. You can find more information here.
