Chatting with friends, posting content, following stars – social media is very popular with many children and young people and an important part of their everyday lives. In this article, we present some popular platforms and apps and explain why they are so fascinating.
Dance challenges, LipSyncs and comedy – the Chinese platform TikTok offers an endless variety of entertaining short videos and is one of the most popular social media apps among children and young people. Users design their clips with trendy music, fun effects and creative filters. A special feature is the algorithm that displays personalized content in the “For you” feed according to the user’s preferences. Following viral trends and influencers, discovering new functions and video formats and connecting with each other via chat and hashtags fascinates children and young people. TikTok harbors risks such as data protection issues, inappropriate content such as war videos, pornography or drugs and entails communication risks. Endless scrolling can lead to extreme media use and promote digital stress. Parents can use the Accompanied mode control function for younger children.
Instagram is a popular social network where users share photos and videos. The app offers functions such as stories, reels and livestreams and focuses primarily on aesthetics. A variety of image and video editing tools such as filters give users the opportunity to express themselves creatively. The platform encourages interaction through likes, comments and direct messages. Children and young people use Instagram to network, follow role models and trends and present themselves online. Young users find it appealing to post selfies, test their impact and share beautiful moments with friends and family. The platform belongs to the large US internet company Meta. Challenges include the illusory world of perfect self-presentation and advertising by influencers. With parental control, Instagram can be set up safely and usage times can be controlled.
Threads is a text-based app from Instagramthat was specially developed for close friends. The functions of threads are the platform X platform. Users can share photos, videos and messages with selected contacts and view real-time updates about their location, activities or mood. This intimacy and the link to Instagram make threads attractive to young people. As on all social media platforms, there are risks in online communication and in being confronted with harmful content.
Snapchat is a social media app for sharing photos and videos. The so-called “snaps” disappear automatically after 24 hours. The relaxed, spontaneous communication and the fun filters and effects make the app popular with children and young people. Young people use the app to connect with their friends in particular. Snapchat rewards daily exchanges between friends with the Snapstreaks function and awards flame symbols. If the location function is activated, users can see where their contacts are currently located on the Snapmap. Snapchat users are automatically connected to the AI chatbotMy AI which answers questions and chats like a “real” friend. Snapchat is challenging in terms of privacy and data protection and can increase the pressure to be online all the time. The Snapchat Family Center offers parents setting options such as the activity overview and content controls.
BeReal is an ad-free social media app where users share spontaneous snapshots. Once a day, all users receive a simultaneous notification to take a photo with the front and rear camera within two minutes. Anyone who wants to can share their location. The spontaneity and authenticity make the app particularly popular with young people. Users can exchange ideas and network with each other via the comment function and in BeReal groups. The request to post a photo on time can cause digital stress for users and tempt them to disclose overly private information.
Knipsclub is a safe photo community that introduces children to social networks creatively and in a protected environment. Children can share, edit and comment on photos here under pedagogical supervision. In Knipsclub, users do not share any personal data and all content is moderated. This makes the platform a good alternative for parents who want to give their children a safe introduction to social media. Other protected options are platforms such as children’s issues of the DKHW or the children’s forum of Seitenstark. These children’s websites offer age-appropriate content, encourage creativity and offer moderated forums on specific topics.
TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, BeReal and Threads may be used from the age of 13 with parental consent according to the terms and conditions. When choosing social media services, make sure they are age-appropriate for your child. If your child is still younger, offer them alternatives such as the Knipsclub to make it easier for them to enter the world of online networking. Actively help your child get started with their own smartphone or on one of the popular social media platforms. Make sure your smartphone and apps are childproof and talk about the risks of social media use at an early stage. Educate your child about topics such as data protection, communication risks and community rules. Stay in touch about favorite channels and influencers to better understand and support your child’s media behavior.
Even for the very youngest children, the world of media is omnipresent. The miniKIM study, initiated by the Media Education Research Association Southwest, provides insightful data on the media behavior of children between the ages of two and five. This article summarizes the key findings of the latest 2023 study and provides practical tips for parents.
Access to smart devices: The study shows that access to smart devices is increasing among young children. Around one in five children has their own tablet and one in ten has access to a smartphone. These devices are often used for both educational and entertainment purposes.
Parental attitudes: Many parents are of the opinion that smartphones harbor many risks for young children and should be viewed rather critically. However, around half of those surveyed also see advantages in its use, such as the potential to learn new things and playful education.
Streaming and media consumption: Streaming services are now also popular with the youngest children and have supplemented or even replaced traditional television as the main source of moving image content.
Responsibility and media education: The study emphasizes the importance of supervised media use to ensure a safe and positive environment for young children. It is recommended that parents monitor their children’s media activities and select appropriate content.
In addition to this article, we also offer in-depth insights into media use of older children with the KIM Study 2022 and of young people with the JIM study.
The results and further information on the miniKIM Study 2023 can be found in detail on the website of the Media Education Research Association Southwest.
Media are omnipresent and play a central role in children’s everyday lives. The KIM study by the Media Education Research Association Southwest regularly provides insights into the media use of children between the ages of six and 13 in Germany. This article summarizes the most important findings of the latest 2022 study and provides tips on how parents can better support their children in dealing with media.
In addition to this article, we also offer in-depth insights into the media use of younger children with the miniKIM study and the media habits of teenagers with the JIM study.
The results and further information on the KIM Study 2022 can be found in detail on the website of the Media Education Research Association Southwest.
Youth and media: Insights from the JIM Study 2023
The JIM study, conducted by the Media Education Research Association Southwest, provides revealing data on media use by German young people aged 12 to 19. This article summarizes key findings from the latest 2023 study and shows how parents can support young people.
Extensive internet use: Young people spend an average of 224 minutes online every day, with messenger services and social media being particularly popular. WhatsApp is used regularly by 94% of young people, followed by Instagram (62%), TikTok ( 59%) and Snapchat (49%).
Popular media content: Alongside social networks, Netflix and YouTube are the leading platforms for watching series, shows and films among young people. 63 percent of young people regularly use YouTube, while 50 percent use Netflix.
Media and leisure activities: The study also shows that young people organize their leisure time in a variety of ways. In addition to media use, 70 percent of young people regularly meet up with friends, 62 percent regularly play sport and 35 percent read books at least once a week.
Confrontation with problematic content: Unfortunately, young people are increasingly confronted with problematic content. A third of girls and a quarter of boys have been sexually harassed online. 23 percent of young people were unintentionally confronted with pornographic content.
In addition to this article, we also offer in-depth insights into media use of young children with the miniKIM study and the media habits of children with the the KIM Study 2022.
The results and further information on the JIM Study 2023 can be found in detail on the website of the Medienpädagogischer Forschungsverbund Südwest.Formularende
Everyone knows them, but most people don’t know exactly how they are determined: the age ratings for film content issued by the Voluntary Self-Regulation Body of the German Film Industry (FSK). How are they determined and on what basis? What role do age ratings play for children, young people and parents? The virtual parents’ evening explores these and other questions. The focus here is on the work of the FSK, which issues the statutory age ratings for films, series and trailers that are released in cinemas, by streaming providers or on DVD or Blu-ray in Germany on behalf of the supreme state youth authorities.
As part of the virtual parents’ evening, both the FSK’s testing procedures and the criteria that lead to the known age ratings of 0, 6, 12, 16 and 18 are presented. Following on from this, there are insights into the media literacy and participation projects with children and young people as well as the information and orientation services offered by the FSK.
Join us live and put your questions to our experts – we will provide answers and be available for discussions! The event will be held in German.
Date: 16.09.2024 | Time: 5 to 6 pm
Speakers: Michael Schmidt and Peter Kaun (FSK)
Moderation: FSM e.V.
Platform: The virtual parents’ evening is realized via the tool “Zoom”.
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It has long been common practice on social media for people to hold beauty products up to the camera and advertise them. But a new trend is conquering the online world: more and more young children are showing an interest in cosmetics and skincare – and presenting their routines online. These children, known as “Sephora Kids”, are increasingly gaining attention. We take a look at the phenomenon and its effects.
Children, usually aged 8 to 10, are increasingly visiting cosmetics stores and luxury beauty chains such as Sephora, hence the name “Sephora Kids”. There they film themselves or buy products for adults, such as anti-wrinkle serums, masks or creams. These products are often not suitable for your skin and sometimes cost several hundred euros. Although we couldn’t find any German-language videos with Sephora products, we did find lots of young children giving make-up tips with standard drugstore products. This content often reaches thousands of viewers and influences the consumption habits of the younger generation.
The “Sephora Kids” phenomenon encompasses a wide range of activities: From buying and applying high-end beauty products to sharing “Get Ready With Me” videos on platforms like TikTok .
Children and young people are attracted by the colorful and attractive packaging and the promised effects of the products. Interaction on social media and with influencers reinforces this trend by presenting the latest beauty trends and products. In a phase of life in which self-expression and social recognition play a major role, such products offer a way of expressing oneself and belonging.
Body image and self-esteem: The intense preoccupation with beauty and skin care can lead to a distorted body image and low self-esteem. The pressure to conform to a certain ideal of beauty can have a negative impact on self-esteem and self-image.
Unsuitable products and long-term damage: Many of the products used contain strong active ingredients such as retinol and acids, which can damage children’s sensitive skin. Their use can have long-term health consequences. Experts advise caution.
Allergies and skin reactions: Many children have sensitive skin and can have allergic reactions to certain ingredients. Parents should check the ingredients carefully and act immediately in the event of an allergic reaction.
Costs: High-quality cosmetic products are expensive and can be a financial burden.
Privacy: By sharing videos on platforms such as TikTok, there is a risk of personal data falling into the wrong hands.
Social pressure: Children can feel exposed to high social pressure through the consumption of beauty content on social media
Accompaniment: Stay alert and active. The balance between allowing self-expression and protecting your child’s health and well-being is crucial. Accompany your child when buying and using skin care products. Make sure that the products are suitable for children’s sensitive skin.
Education: Have open conversations about self-expression and beauty ideals so that your child can make conscious and informed choices. Explain to your child the risks of unsuitable cosmetic products and the importance of healthy skin care habits.
Promote healthy self-confidence: Help your child to develop healthy self-confidence. Help your child to appreciate themselves and their body, regardless of beauty ideals. Think of your role model function as well.
Data protection: Use the privacy settings on social media and explain to your child what information they can and cannot share.
Set a budget: Set a fixed budget for the purchase of cosmetic products to avoid overspending.
Offer alternatives: Show your child alternatives to expensive cosmetic products, such as simple, natural skin care products that are suitable for children’s skin. Simple and safe DIY recipes for natural skincare products that you can make together with your child can be a great alternative.
Meeting new people, having fun, flirting for the first time – video chat services are popular with children and young people. Free offers such as OmeTV, Chatroulette or even Yubo make it possible to connect with complete strangers. Although the apps are often criticized for issues such as pornography, cybergrooming and questionable data protection, many young people like to use them.
Video chat platforms randomly connect users from all over the world. They can see and chat with each other via the camera function. When they have had enough of each other, they click or swipe on to the next person. Thousands of users communicate with each other simultaneously via these websites and apps. This means that the pool of potential contacts is inexhaustible. Most services require a link to data such as the Facebook – or Google account or registration with an e-mail address or telephone number. Yubo is permitted from the age of 13 according to the terms and conditions, OmeTV and Chatroulette only from the age of 18. However, since the age or the required declaration of consent from the parents are not checked, younger people also use the applications.
For young people, the platforms are an opportunity to gain new experiences and get to know people. They go online alone or with friends and chat with strangers. They often experience funny, weird and crazy things there. This can be exciting and fun – and offers room to try things out. On TikTok and YouTube videos of chats on OmeTV are very popular and are shared under their own hashtags. Users post videos of pranks such as alleged assaults online and influencers talk about their crazy experiences in video chats. This arouses young people’s curiosity and raises their hopes of meeting their idols in a random chat.
Platforms such as OmeTV and the like are known for the fact that the content they show is often anything but adult-friendly. Anonymity is high and the inhibition threshold is therefore low. Many people use video chats to vent their frustrations, share extreme opinions or satisfy sexual needs. So it often happens that especially men show themselves naked in front of the camera. Insults and discrimination are also commonplace. This can unsettle and unsettle young people in particular. The providers threaten to take strict measures such as lifelong exclusion from the service if the community guidelines are violated. However, the anonymity of the users makes it almost impossible to trace them. Dangers such as cybergrooming, sextortion, sexual harassment or digital violence cannot be ruled out. Inadequate data protection poses a further risk. This allows users to save chat histories, take a screenshot or record images and sound. This usually happens without the consent of the data subjects. Another application also makes it possible to find out the IP address of the user with a little skill. Thus, the anonymous contact may not remain anonymous.
If your child expresses a desire to use these platforms or is already doing so, do not react with a lack of understanding and strict prohibitions. A ban can make these platforms even more attractive and tempt your child to chat secretly with strangers on the Internet. Try to understand the fascination of such offers and talk openly about it. Educate your child about communication risks such as sexual harassment, bullying and cybergrooming. It is important that your child is aware that this is a public space to which everyone has access. The protection of data and privacy is therefore particularly important. Agree rules together on how to deal with such offers. Give your child the feeling that they can talk to you if they have any unpleasant experiences or questions. OmeTV and co. are not suitable for children, despite precautionary measures. Find out about age-appropriate media for your child. Try to talk to your child about alternatives so that he or she can still make new contacts. For younger children, offers on children’s websites can be an alternative, e.g. via kindersache.de, seitenstark.de or knipsclub.de.
Is gaming only for boys? Far from it! According to the JIM Study 2023, over half of the girls aged 12 to 19 surveyed said they gambled several times a week. The following games are particularly popular Minecraft , The Sims , Hay Day and Mario Kart. The gaming scene is dominated by men, and many successful gaming stars such as Gronkh and Elias N97 are male. However, there are more and more female and queer Let’s Players and they are important role models for young gamers.
Let’s Players play video games and share their strategies and tips with their followers. They comment on and rate the game in an entertaining way. They upload the Let’s Play videos to platforms such as YouTube and communicate with their fans via the comments. Some gaming stars stream their gaming sessions on Twitch live and interact directly with their audience. Major gaming influencers use various business models to earn lots of clicks and money.
Jasmin Gnu known as Gnu, is one of the most prominent female Let’s Players in Germany. She became famous a few years ago mainly through her humorous and entertaining videos on YouTube and streams on Twitch. Gnu plays games like The Sims , GTA and Fortnite and her fans love her for her authentic and likeable nature. In addition to her Let’s Plays, she also produces content on various topics such as sexism in the gaming industry and dealing with her eating disorder.
Honeyball whose real name is Isabel Barbara Zimmermann, has been active in the gaming community for more than ten years. Her fans appreciate her self-deprecating comments and her positive attitude. She became known for her Let’s Plays of sandbox and role-playing games such as Minecraft and The Sims. Honeyball is also active as a creative and creates texture packs for Minecraft as a game designer, which are appreciated and further developed by the community.
Antonia Staab alias Reved began her career in 2019 and is known for her diverse content on Twitch and YouTube. It streams a wide range of games from well-known titles to indie games. It shows a mixture of gaming, chatting and creative formats such as quiz shows. In 2023, she launched the Stream Awards, which honor outstanding moments and personalities from the Twitch community. Reved is bisexual.
Even more streamers can be seen in the child-friendly video series “Ansage!” on the children’s TV channel KiKA. There, young gamers challenge well-known streamers such as Sissor, Mowky, Freiraumreh, Kiara and Shorty in gaming challenges.
Many game-loving children and young people not only play games themselves, but also enjoy watching others play them. They can learn more about a game, get tricks for difficult tasks and be entertained by their favorite stars.
It is important that they not only experience the male perspective, but that there are also female and queer Let’s Players. They show different perspectives on gaming and are role models for female and queer young people who want to recognize themselves in the gaming community. They prove that anyone, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, can be successful in gaming.
Female and queer gamers often have a hard time in the male-dominated scene and can become victims of online hate. The presence of female and queer Let’s Players can make a decisive contribution to making the gaming community more diverse, open and representative. They contribute to greater visibility and can support positive social change towards greater acceptance.
No matter who your child’s favorite Let’s Players and streamers are, it’s best to watch Let’s Plays together with your child. This will help you better understand what your child enjoys about Let’s Players and learn more about your child’s gaming hobby.
The gaming world is still heavily male-dominated. Broaden your child’s perspective and draw their attention to a gaming star with a female or queer identity.
Make sure that your child does not watch any Let’s Play videos of games that are not approved for children of a certain age. Keep in touch with your child about the business models of Let’s Players. Help him analyze advertising, product placements and other forms of money-making. Discuss the language of gamers with your child. Make your child aware of communication risks online and explain to them how they can deal with unpleasant situations.
In the digital world, there are numerous apps that have been specially developed for children to help them learn and discover. One of these is the Kabu app, which teaches primary school children about current media topics and how to use digital media safely in a child-friendly and entertaining way. Introducing the children’s info app.
Kabu is an information app for children that was developed by the specialist media education organization SIN – Studio im Netz e. V. The app conveys knowledge about current media topics – such as artificial intelligence or why TikTok is only permitted from the age of 13 – in an entertaining way. The content is created together with a children’s editorial team and updated monthly. Kabu is funded by the Auerbach Foundation and the Social Department/City Youth Welfare Office of the City of Munich and is completely free of charge and free of advertising.
Children of primary school age are in a phase in which learning and discovery play a central role. Kabu offers them the opportunity to acquire knowledge and become creative through play. The app is divided into six sections: ‘Tips & Tricks’, ‘Games & Quizzes’, ‘Join in’, ‘Interesting Facts’, ‘Media Tips’ and ‘Creative’. The mythical creature Kabu, a funny Wolpertinger, accompanies the children through the app and gives helpful tips. The interactive games, quizzes and creative instructions strike a chord with this age group and encourage both digital and analog play. The children are particularly enthusiastic about the opportunity to contact the Kabu editorial team directly via the app, contribute their own ideas and take part in surveys. This encourages their participation and creativity.
The provider emphasizes that the app was specially developed for children of primary school age and places particular emphasis on security and data protection. The content is moderated and contacting the editorial team always requires parental permission. In addition, all content is free of charge and free of advertising in order to create a safe and value-free learning environment. Data protection and contact risks are taken seriously and constantly improved to ensure the safety of young users.
Computer games are a topic in many families and often a cause for conflict. On Elternguide.online there are lots of articles where you can get suggestions for dealing with games in the family. A small selection:
Children and young people love to play games – including computer and online games. Media educator Fabian Wörz explains in a video what needs to be considered.
Immerse yourself in game worlds, compete with others, switch off and cultivate friendships. In this article, we explain what attracts children and young people to video games.
Here you will find a collection of tips for dealing with computer games in your family. The article is available to read and as an audio file. Helpful setting options for devices and platforms to limit the playing time and protect against costs can be found in this text.
Which game is suitable for my child? In this article you will find information on the protection of minors in video games and what else you should look out for when choosing games. Who actually checks what age a game is suitable for? We explain interesting facts about the age rating of digital games in Germany in the article on the Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body (USK).
Computer games are a very communicative activity because gamers often meet online to play. You can read about the opportunities and risks involved in this in this article. In addition to general communication risks such as online bullying, hate among gamers and extremist speech on gaming forums can also become an issue.
If the game is not played on a smartphone or computer, a games console is used. This is at the top of many wish lists – read our article to find out what you should bear in mind. Gambling – but safely! Security settings for Xbox, Nintendo Switch and Playstation can be found in this article. Various game mechanics can increase the pressure to keep playing and make it difficult to find an end to the game.
More and more people are becoming aware that computer games have many positive effects. You can read more about this in our article.
This is only a small selection of contributions to the topic. On our page you will find an introduction to the five most popular genres of online games and descriptions of the most popular computer and mobile games among children and young people, such as Roblox, Minecraft, Brawl Stars and Fortnite. We offer explanations of gaming platforms such as Twitch and Steam and cloud gaming services such as Amazon Luna, shedding light on various distribution channels for games in general and the games-as-a-service business model in particular. You can also find articles on our website about dangers such as violence in games or computer game addiction and much more.
“How far is it to the moon?”, “Did dinosaurs have milk teeth?”, “Why do we celebrate Halloween?” – Children and young people are naturally curious and have lots of questions. They also surf the Internet in search of answers. But watch out: Google and other search engines were not developed primarily for children. Without filtering, children can quickly end up on pages with inappropriate content. That’s why there are children’s search engines.
Children’s search engines are easy to use and use child-friendly language and images. They only link to content that is safe and interesting for children. All websites are checked and approved in advance by media educators. This enables safe surfing on the net.
In addition to the search function, many children’s search engines also offer educational videos, games and articles on various topics. They often offer tips on how children can best use search engines. For example, there are tips on specific search terms, searching for images or checking sources. In this way, children acquire important skills and develop their media literacy. Older children can be introduced to adult search engines after this practice period.
Children’s search engines are designed so that children can use them independently and have the most positive surfing experience possible during their first steps on the Internet. Accompany your child during the first use and explore the search engine together. This way you can explain important functions for the search in more detail. After the first joint testing, children can use the respective children’s search engine independently without hesitation. For this purpose, it is recommended to set up a child search engine for the default search in the browser. In addition, a child search engine can be set up as the start page.
If your child already knows how to use search engines and wants to use search engines such as Google , activate the “SafeSearch” filter for more security. Please note that despite filters, the search is never as secure as the review of content by media educators and that filters can be activated and deactivated independently under certain circumstances. Agree with your child on how to respond when he or she encounters inappropriate content. You can report inappropriate content that is displayed despite filter settings to the respective search engines.
In order to provide you as parents with the best possible support for your child’s media education, we offer you the opportunity to ask your personal questions about your child’s media use directly and conveniently via WhatsApp or Threema to ask us.
Our professional team is at your side to offer you the right support. Whether you are unsure whether a certain app is suitable for your child, you are looking for tips on limiting screen time or you would like support in dealing with a new trend – we are here for you.
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Artificial intelligence (AI) has long since found its way into our everyday lives. Where flying cars and robots were once seen as symbols of AI, the reality today is more diverse, but no less fascinating. We take a look at where we already encounter artificial intelligence in everyday life and what significance this has for media education.
Artificial intelligence, or AI for short, is a very broad term that describes machines or computer systems that can imitate human intelligence. To do this, they are fed information until they can apply it independently to solve tasks. This also means that they can learn from mistakes and thus constantly improve. For example, if a computer is fed a very large number of photos of human faces, at some point it will be able to tell for sure whether or not a photo has a human face in it. In this case, it is a so-called “weak AI” because it is intelligent only in relation to a specific subject. Research is also being conducted on a “strong AI” that could have the intellectual capabilities of a human, e.g., think logically or plan ahead. However, the strong AI does not yet exist. And if it should exist one day – it will probably not have feelings and thus will be fundamentally different from us humans.
The areas of application for AI in family life are diverse. Facial recognition technologies unlock smartphones, voice assistants such as Alexa and Siri fulfill our commands and streaming services such as Netflix suggest films that match our preferences. Algorithms also play a role in this. Toys(smart toys) can also actively interact with children with the help of AI. For example, an intelligent cuddly toy can search for a child’s questions on the Internet and read out the answers. Chatbots such as ChatGPT can provide support with school tasks.
Artificial intelligence can make our lives easier in many situations. But there are also risks associated with the use of AI. For example, so-called deep fakes can be used to create deceptively real images or videos that support the spread of fake news. If AI is used at home, for example via a voice assistant or smart toys, it is also important to look at the manufacturer’s data protection measures and use existing security settings. If the data is not stored on the device itself, but in a cloud, there is a risk that third parties can access and misuse the data. There are also many legal questions for which there is no conclusive solution at the present time: For example, who should be liable in the future if a decision made by an AI causes damage? This is one reason why the use of self-driving cars, for example, is not yet readily possible.
In order to promote a better understanding of AI, it is important that children and young people are familiarized with the concept at an early age. It is important that they understand what AI is and how it works. Younger children often find it difficult at first to distinguish between an object activated by AI and a real living being. Age-appropriate explanatory videos and articles are suitable for teaching children and young people about artificial intelligence. There are also games in which you can train an AI yourself and thus learn to understand how it works in a playful way.
We have put together a few offers for you:
Open communication: Talk openly with your child about AI and explain how it is used in their everyday life. Encourage them to ask questions and take time to discuss any concerns.
Critical media literacy: Help your child develop a critical attitude towards the information they find online. Show them how to recognize false information and encourage them to check sources.
Data protection: Discuss the importance of data protection with your child and encourage them to handle personal data responsibly. Explain what information can and cannot be shared safely.
Self-determination: Encourage your child to decide for themselves which technologies they want to use. Help them to set their own boundaries and feel comfortable saying no when they feel uncomfortable.
Joint activities: Take the opportunity to play games or do activities together with your child that provide a better understanding of AI. Discuss how AI-based technologies work and let your child gain their own experience.
“But I can be on my cell phone as much as I want with Grandma!”, “I’m allowed to be on my cell phone with my uncle. Fortnite gamble!”, “Today we watched another movie at school!” – Do statements like this sound familiar? Not only when it comes to Media rules of other parents goes. It can also be challenging for you as a parent if other caregivers are involved in media education. Perhaps you are wondering how you can deal with this.
Choosing media according to age, limiting screen time, being a role model – as parents, you lay the foundation for your child’s conscious and competent use of media. The older your child gets, the more freely your child moves around and spends more and more time away from home. If they are alone with their grandparents, in an educational institution or visiting their cousins, other caregivers will automatically get involved in the use of media. This can affect the selection and duration of media content, but also your child’s privacy, such as sharing children’s photos.
If your child is on vacation at their aunt’s and you discover excursion pictures in their WhatsApp status or on social media, you as a parent may not necessarily be thrilled. Especially if the sharing of sensitive data was not previously agreed. Not all adults know that sharing children’s photos online can be problematic. Children have a right to privacy. Depending on their age and stage of development, they – and their parents – should be asked what pictures of them can be seen on the Internet. Talk to photo-loving relatives about this and express your views clearly. How to protect your child’s rights.
As parents, you bear the main responsibility for a healthy upbringing with media. Which games are suitable for which age, what happens to your child’s data online, how devices and apps can be set to be child-safe – the media world is huge, confusing and constantly changing. As parents, you are faced with the challenge of staying up to date and informed – and you may be more on the ball than your child’s caregivers.
Perhaps you have negotiated media rules in the family or agreed a media usage contract with your child. There may be different rules for the siblings due to their age difference. Don’t be afraid to approach grandparents and co. Make your family’s media rules transparent and explain why it is important to you that the rules are also observed outside the home. Of course, time with grandpa, godmother or cousin can be something special, also in terms of media. Ask for exceptions to be agreed with you in advance. Because an open exchange is important for a trusting relationship. Keep in touch with your child about their media use outside the home and always have an open ear for problems. In this way, you can promote your child’s independence and media skills.
If your child surfs the Internet at the youth club, photos from the carnival party end up in the class chat or is allowed to play games on the tablet at the after-school care center, this is part of your child’s mediatized world. Educational institutions usually have a media concept and pursue media education goals. If you are not comfortable with something, speak to the educational staff and approach them with an open and questioning attitude. Always ask for your child’s point of view – this way you both keep learning about media.
Whether scary movies, funny comedies or exciting action films – experiencing movies on a big screen in the cinema is something special for children and young people. Children and young people should only watch films that are suitable for their age. That’s why there are age ratings and corresponding controls in cinemas. In this article, we explain what the protection of minors in cinemas looks like and which exceptions and special regulations apply.
Practically all cinema films are submitted to the Voluntary Self-Regulation Body of the Film Industry (FSK) for examination. The FSK issues the familiar age ratings from 0, 6, 12, 16 and 18 years in independent test procedures in accordance with the Youth Protection Act and in cooperation with the supreme state youth authorities. The approvals are not educational recommendations. They are intended to ensure that children and young people are not impaired and thus stand for a positive film experience. For parents, they offer guidance when choosing a movie.
Children and young people may only attend movie screenings if they have reached the appropriate age. One exception is the so-called Parental Guidance (PG) regulation. According to this regulation, children from the age of 6 can attend movies with an FSK rating from the age of 12 if they are accompanied by a parent or guardian. This gives parents a special responsibility when going to the movies together and allows them to enjoy a movie experience with the whole family.
Parents do not have to be present themselves. You can assign parental responsibility to any adult:
In cases of doubt, cinema operators must verify the age of majority of the accompanying person and the parental authority on the basis of a written confirmation.
Perhaps you are wondering why this regulation does not also apply to the age ratings from 6 and 16 years? After all, the shared film experience of parents and children offers an ideal starting point for growing up well with media and promotes media literacy. However, it is not possible to consciously decide to go to the cinema with your child if he or she has not yet reached the relevant age group. Legislators are called upon to amend the provisions of the Youth Protection Act. Cinemas must not ignore this.
The Youth Protection Act also contains regulations on the times at which children and young people can attend a movie screening.
Find out about the FSK rating and the time of the movie you want to see before you go to the cinema. The reasons for the age rating are also important. The FSK offers explanatory statements and additional information on all current cinema films at www.fsk.de/kinostarts. If your child is between 6 and 11 years old, think carefully about whether you want to give your child access to a movie from the age of 12 with the help of parental guidance. Films aged 12 and over may contain exciting or action-packed elements, but no excessive violence or explicit depictions. Choose age-appropriate films for your child, taking into account their stage of development. Take note of educational recommendations on current movies such as FLIMMO. This is the best way to assess whether a movie is suitable for your child.
