Battlefield 6 is a first-person shooter in which players fight from a first-person perspective in large-scale online battles. Military weapons, vehicles and realistic war scenarios take center stage. The game is action-packed and violent – and is therefore aimed at older teenagers.
The game is the latest installment in the well-known Battlefield series and continues it with the latest technology and familiar gameplay. Like Call of Duty or Counter-Strike, it is one of the great first-person shooters. In the single-player campaign, players experience a war story in the year 2027 and fight as an elite unit against a private military organization.
In multiplayer mode, the focus is on large online team battles where tactical teamwork is important. Battlefield Portal also sees the return of a creative community tool that allows players to design and share their own game modes and experiences.
Battlefield 6 is aimed at players who like tactical shooters and team play. The game offers large maps, lots of action, vehicles and explosions – this is exciting and creates suspense. The mixture of combat, teamwork and planning is what makes the game so appealing and keeps many young people playing for a long time.
At the same time, the game is a social meeting place: young people play online with friends or meet new people. Playing as a team and pursuing common goals conveys a sense of community. Leaderboards, progress and rewards provide additional motivation: young people can constantly improve, master challenges and show their progress.
Battlefield 6 is played from a first-person perspective, players see the game world directly through the eyes of their character – including the weapon. War and violence are clearly the focus, which is why the game has been given a USK 18 rating due to its drastic depictions of violence. In single-player mode, violence is visibly staged as part of the war story; in multiplayer mode, it is primarily part of the game mechanics and tactics (e.g. battles, explosions, vehicle combat). Here, violence serves less of a narrative and more of a competition between teams. There is no ethical evaluation of war or violence in the game.
In-game purchases also play a major role in Battlefield 6. Advertisements for additional purchases or cosmetic content are often displayed to players, which can create pressure to spend real money.
Especially in multiplayer modes, in-game communication is essential in order to chat or talk to other players. This promotes successful cooperation – but can sometimes lead to communication risks such as cyberbullying, hate speech and cybergrooming.
The provider Electronic Arts (EA) sets out the following rules, among others, in its terms of use:
The detailed terms of use, privacy policy and terms and conditions for Battlefield 6 are available on the EA website.
As a parent, pay attention to the USK age rating from 18 years and talk to your child about why this rating is important. The game shows theaters of war and battles very realistically with visual effects such as blood, wounds, explosions and battles. The violence is explicitly visible, not abstracted or highly stylized – and this is a key reason for this age rating. Furthermore, war is at the heart of the entire game. Players control soldiers, use real weapons and find themselves in conflict situations in which characters are killed. Due to the high immersiveness (i.e. the strong feeling of being in the middle of the action), players are very intensively involved, which requires a certain level of maturity. Activate the parental control settings on your child’s devices. This will prevent your child from downloading the game unsupervised.
If your child is playing the game because they are already of age or you consider them to be sufficiently mature, accompany them:
Build your own worlds from building blocks, slip into imaginative roles and complete exciting missions – the online gaming platform Robloxer is very popular with young people. Roblox combines elements of gaming, social media and creative design. As it contains both chat functions and problematic content and some people earn money with their games, an age rating of 16 and above has been in place since January 2025.
Roblox is an online gaming platform and game development system that allows users to create their own games and play the games of others. The two words Robots and Blocks together make up the name of the Roblox gaming platform. Here you can create and play virtual worlds in Lego style, which is particularly popular with young people. Roblox is a mixture of game world and social network and is reminiscent of Minecraft.
Roblox is available on many different devices and as an app. Playing with a virtual reality headset is also supported. This cross-platform availability ensures that players can easily play together on different devices.
After registering on roblox.com, players receive a pre-made game character (avatar) that they can customize as they wish. Standard clothing or other cosmetic features, such as a first hairstyle, are free of charge. Some extra accessories cost money in the form of their own currency Robux. Functions such as creating and playing games are available free of charge.
Many young people love the game because they can easily develop their own games. Registered users can use the “Roblox Studio” building tool to create their own games and share them with others. Simple structures as well as complex worlds of experience can be created. In the Roblox community, young people can let off steam creatively and communicate with each other.
Roblox is particularly popular with young game developers, as they can create and publish their own games there. If a game is played frequently by other users and money is invested, there is a chance that the developers – your child, for example – will also earn a share.
Even young people who don’t want to get into game development themselves are fascinated by the countless games on offer.
In January 2025, the Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body(USK) raised the age rating for Roblox from 12 to 16 years. There were several key reasons for this decision:
In addition, the platform allows users to communicate via text and voice chats. There are therefore risks such as cyberbullying, cybergrooming and hate speech. Furthermore, some games contain elements that are similar to gambling, such as the purchase of random virtual items(loot boxes).
In addition, the USK criticized the lack of effective precautionary measures on the part of platform operators, such as insufficiently secured children’s accounts and the lack of age labels in accordance with German standards. Due to these aspects, the USK age rating was adjusted to ensure the protection of minors and provide parents with better guidance.
In addition, Roblox is repeatedly accused of not sufficiently moderating both the content and communication between users and of not taking consistent enough action against violations of the community guidelines. For example, children and young people can come across discriminatory and extremist content in the games.
The provider Roblox Corporation emphasizes on its platform that it takes security and data protection very seriously. There is a reporting system for inappropriate chat messages and a chat filter. After registration, an account is automatically created in “data protection mode” for users under the age of 13. Younger players will then not have access to the social media functions, for example. Some games are also only released from a certain age. Moderators check whether uploaded image and video material meets the requirements for youth-friendly content. Inappropriate content is actively filtered and deleted.
Roblox introduced several new features in early 2026 to make communication safer for young players. One of these is age verification: users can confirm their age either with an ID or via a voluntary, AI-supported age assessment using a video selfie. Certain communication functions are only activated after this classification. Roblox divides accounts into age groups so that children and young people can interact with their peers as much as possible: Under 9, 9 – 12, 13 – 15, 16 – 17, 18 – 20 and over 21. Content, chats and functions are then assigned according to age. Many interaction options remain restricted in order to limit contact between adults and minors and reduce communication risks. The AI-supported age verification on Roblox is handled by the company Persona. Roblox states that user data is deleted after 30 days. Incorrect estimates can be corrected retrospectively via parental supervision or ID verification. Roblox provides information about age verification on its website.
For older teenagers, there is also the concept of “trusted connections“. This allows 13 to 17-year-olds to mark certain contacts as trustworthy. They can chat with these contacts with almost no restrictions. However, contacts across age boundaries – especially between young people and adults – are still subject to strict rules. Children under the age of 13 cannot create “trusted connections”. More information can be found on the Roblox website.
Roblox offers various safety features that allow you to keep a better eye on your child’s play, e.g. screen time, chats or purchases. Parental control has been expanded in 2026. Parents can now see,
Roblox can also issue warnings in the event of unusually high expenditure. These functions supplement the existing parental control settings and are intended to create more transparency. Parents can find out more about parental controls and parental controls on the Roblox website.
Please note that Roblox is now labeled USK 16. In principle, the state does not use age ratings to dictate what media content parents can allow their children to watch at home, but rather as a guide. Nevertheless, you should make sure that you only provide your child with games that are suitable and approved for their age. You can find out more about upgrading in this parent check-in article.
Would you like to make Roblox accessible to your child?
You can also find all the important steps for parental controls at Roblox on medien-kindersicher.de.
Which learning platform or app is right for my child? And do they even need it at preschool age? Many parents are faced with precisely these questions. Websites and apps with learning opportunities can help children discover, practise and revise. However, they are no substitute for learning together, playing or exercise. The decisive factor is how and for what they are used. We present five popular offers in Germany and classify what parents should look out for.
Most of the services presented can be used both in the browser and as an app. The range of functions differs in some cases.
Sofatutor offers learning content from pre-school age to upper school. For younger children, there is Sofatutor Kids with learning games, short videos and exercises on numbers, colors, letters, first arithmetic problems and factual topics. The content is clearly structured and based on educational plans. Parents can create child profiles and view learning progress.
ANTON is one of the most popular learning apps for preschool and school and is often recommended or used by schools. In addition to the widely used app, learning can also take place online in the browser. Children practice math, German, general knowledge or music in short, manageable units. ANTON is ad-free and designed without time pressure.
Antolin is a digital reading promotion program that is mainly used in schools. Children read books offline and then answer questions about the content to collect points. The focus is clearly on reading motivation.
Duolingo teaches foreign languages in a fun way with short exercises, repetitions and rewards. Even children can learn their first words and simple sentences. Both the website and the app are colorful and motivating, but rely on regular use.
Scoyo is aimed at children from around 4 to 12 years of age. The learning platform offers exercises and learning games on German, math and specialist topics, sorted by age and grade level. Parents can create profiles and track learning progress.
Not every learning app or platform is suitable for every child. Age recommendations can be a guide, but say little about whether an offer really suits your own child. The decisive factors are interests, stage of development and individual learning speed. Some children love structured tasks, others learn better through free experimentation, movement or conversation. If an activity causes frustration or your child quickly loses interest, it is not (yet) the right choice. And that’s perfectly fine.
At pre-school age, the focus is not on practicing, but on playful discovery. Children gain their first experiences with numbers, letters or language and learn primarily through curiosity and repetition. Digital learning opportunities can provide stimuli here, but they should be entertaining and not create too much pressure. Supervision is important: talk to your child about what they are seeing and trying out.
When children start school, their needs change. Content now needs to be repeated and consolidated more frequently. Learning platforms and apps can help with this, for example with arithmetic, reading or learning vocabulary. They are well suited as a supplement, but not as a substitute for explanations, homework or joint discussions.
Regardless of age, learning platforms or apps are no substitute for reading aloud, free play or exercise. Make sure there is variety and agree clear times and breaks. Don’t ask your child about points or levels, but about what they have understood or newly discovered. In this way, learning remains positive and digital learning opportunities become what they can be: meaningful support in everyday family life.
Today, music is listened to almost exclusively digitally – anytime and anywhere via smartphone, tablet, computer or games console. One of the best-known services for this is Spotify. The platform offers access to millions of songs, radio plays, podcasts and now also videos. Spotify’s diverse offering makes it attractive – but also entails risks, especially for children and young people.
Spotify is the world’s largest music streaming service. Around 100 million items of content are currently available – including music, podcasts, audio books and radio plays. Users can create playlists, follow others and share their favorite songs, for example via Spotify codes. Spotify also displays lyrics for many tracks. In addition to audio content, music videos and short video clips are now also available.
In the free version, content can only be listened to with an internet connection, with regular advertisements running in between. The paid premium version allows offline listening without advertising and offers functions such as unlimited skipping of tracks.
Spotify has offered a chat function since August 2025: playlists, songs or podcasts can be shared and commented on directly within the app. To chat, a request must first be confirmed. The messaging function can also be used like a classic messenger.
Music plays a central role for young people: it helps them find their identity, communicate with friends and deal with their feelings. Spotify makes it easy to discover new music at any time, browse through other people’s playlists and listen to content wherever you are. Podcasts are also becoming increasingly popular with young people.
Spotify also works on games consoles such as Playstation or X-Box and via voice assistants such as Alexa Echo and Google Home. This allows young people to listen to music while playing games or play songs by voice command.
Radio plays are particularly interesting for younger children. Many well-known series – from Bibi Blocksberg and Benjamin Blümchen to Die drei ??? – are available on Spotify. The Spotify Kids app can also be used via a paid Premium Family subscription, which offers a more limited and more suitable framework for children.
Spotify works with a highly personalized recommendation algorithm. In the profile button, Spotify creates individual playlists, for example “Your mix of the week”, from the music you have recently listened to and your usage data. This is also linked to the storage of usage behavior.
Spotify contains content that may be unsuitable for children and young people – such as music or audio books with extremist messages and violent content or podcasts that spread fake news and disinformation. Spotify has recently been criticized because an increasing number of AI-generated songs are appearing on the platform. The tracks are suggested via recommendations and can contain sexist or racist statements. Such content is not always easy for children and young people to recognize as problematic.
The new chat function and comments under podcasts give rise to communication risks such as cyberbullying, hate speech and unwanted contact from strangers.
The video content – short clips such as YouTube Shorts – can contribute to more intensive use and cannot be deactivated.
There is also criticism of the fact that Spotify pays out low revenues to artists.
Spotify is based in Sweden and claims to implement measures to protect children and young people. In Premium and Family subscriptions, parental control settings can be activated to hide problematic, “explicit” content. Multiple accounts can also be managed together.
Spotify Kids is a special offer for children that only contains child-friendly audio content and excludes video functions. However, this service can only be used with a paid Family subscription.
Content can be reported via a reporting function for podcasts and playlists and via an online form for individual titles.
Officially, Spotify is only allowed from the age of 18, with parental consent from the age of 16. As parents, you should discuss in detail with your child in advance whether it makes sense to use the offer. The following points are important:
Regular discussions and support remain the most important protection – regardless of technical settings.
Listen to books, play games with sound, create your own recordings. There are now various audio pens that can do this – from TipToi to TING and BOOKii to Anybook. It is impossible to imagine many children’s rooms without these pens. The Tellimero is a particularly open-ended product.
Tellimero is published by Pädagogik-Verlag Betzold, a traditional provider of educational and learning materials. The idea behind the pen is to create a flexible tool that is not tied to specific books or products.
Instead, the pen works with stickers: the pack contains a whole stack of different sticker sheets with colorful dots, animals, instruments and symbols. Some motif stickers already contain noises, such as animal sounds, melodies or other sounds. The 200 or so single-colored dots can be played with as desired.
The stickers are not intended for decorating, but instead make the pen “talk”. If you touch a sticker in recording mode, sound can be recorded – up to five minutes per sticker. This sound is played back in playback mode. This allows you to record books, add sound to objects or record tasks acoustically.
The pen itself is clearly laid out and has three buttons: on/off, record and playback. If you use several Tellimero pens, existing recordings can be copied to other pens via a PC. Finished audio files can also be loaded onto the Tellimero.
The Tellimero is doubly exciting for children: they can listen and be creative at the same time. If adults prepare materials –
At the same time, children can get creative themselves: record their own stories, set riddles to music or use the pen for learning. The operation of the three buttons is so intuitive and simple that the pen really can be used without any problems from the age of 4.
The great creative freedom also brings challenges. Children can’t just be given a pen and a book and be kept busy – preparatory work is required. Stickers have to be distributed, recordings made and content prepared.
If you want to use Tellimero for language learning, for example, you can’t use ready-made products, but have to record books or materials yourself.
As the stickers can be replayed, there is also a risk that children will overwrite stickers that have already been discussed. To avoid this, the so-called “teacher mode” should be used when recording.
As with all audio pens, parents are the “human recharging service”. An empty battery at the crucial moment is one of the most common points of frustration.
According to the publisher, the Tellimero is primarily intended as an educational tool. It is often used in nurseries and schools, for example for language development, station learning or orientation aids. Teachers can, for example, add suitable audio content to a phonics table, a globe or station training. The pen has received several awards for this, including the Comenius EduMedia seal and the Worlddidac Award.
Tellimero is also suitable for private use, whether for creative “fun uses” or for learning and everyday tasks. However, parents should be aware that there are no ready-made materials and the content must be designed entirely by themselves.
Tellimero is a good alternative for families who not only want to listen, but also get creative themselves. Young and old can work together to develop funny, helpful or educational content for the stickers – and they can do it again and again.
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
An idea for the next birthday present, help with a math problem or simply a question about the opening times of the swimming pool: many families now use artificial intelligence in their everyday lives. At the same time, many parents are wondering which AI services are reliable, safe and also suitable for children. After all, not all AI is the same; the offerings differ significantly in terms of data protection, transparency and target groups, for example.
It’s obvious: AI tools can make everyday life easier. Chat bots and so-called AI agents find and bundle information, explain complicated content, take on small tasks or even act as conversation partners. Many services – from search engines to messengers – now have integrated AI functions. This makes them even easier to access and convenient to use.
At the same time, this also increases risks. Some services place little value on data protection and privacy, collect extensive usage data or are difficult to understand. Others deliver results that are difficult to assess or are not always correct. The seemingly simplest services, which are already integrated into apps and websites, are not always the best. Unfiltered content can also be problematic for children.
The search for suitable AI offerings is not easy. Many tools appear similar and yet differ greatly. We present three possible alternatives:
Perplexity AI – the AI search engine with transparent sources
Perplexity AI works like a chatbot, but compiles information more like a search engine. One advantage is that the AI displays the sources used for each answer. This makes it easier to assess the results and can be particularly helpful for young people doing research for school or projects. Perplexity AI can be used free of charge in the browser or with a paid Pro account, which saves searches, uses better AI models and enables more uploads. The provider states that it uses data for further development, but does not sell it. The service is not specifically aimed at children, but can be a more transparent tool for searches if used with supervision.
Duck AI – the AI with a focus on data protection and privacy
DuckDuckGo is known as a data-saving search engine and browser. The browser does not collect any data, does not record IP addresses and blocks advertising. With Duck AI, the service now also offers its own AI function, also with a strong focus on data protection: queries are sent to the models anonymously, chats are not saved and data is not passed on for training purposes. The AI can be used free of charge, even without your own DuckDuckGo browser. This can be a reliable alternative for parents for whom the protection of personal data is particularly important. Again, this is not a special offer for children, but an option with clearly communicated data protection.
KinderGPT – the AI especially for children
KinderGPT is a German service that is specifically aimed at families. Content is filtered and prepared in an age-appropriate way. Parents can limit usage times or approve subject areas. According to the provider HillcrownAI, no personal data is passed on. The basic version is free, additional functions can be activated for a fee. KinderGPT does not replace supervision, but offers a protected environment in which children can gain their first experiences with AI.
Which AI service is suitable depends largely on what it is to be used for. Together with your child, think about where your priorities lie: quick and easy use, high security or verifiable results? If you are aware of what you expect from an AI, you can also look for ‘the right one’.
Stay up to date on what AI can do and where the pitfalls lie. AI offerings are developing rapidly and new offerings are constantly being added. It is therefore important to stay informed about new possibilities and limitations.
Regardless of the service you choose: Discuss safe behavior when using AI with your child. Explain what data can be given to an AI – and what should remain private. Find out together how AI works and how you can question and check results to be sure. Also be aware of your role as a role model.
And finally: Get to know contact points together where you can find support if problems arise.
WhatsApp is the most popular messenger, even among children and young people. Almost everyone uses it to send messages, make calls or share status updates. It is important for parents to know the functions, risks and developments, especially since AI functions have been integrated into the app.
WhatsApp is a free messenger that is registered via the cell phone number. Contacts must be shared in the address book on the smartphone so that messages, photos, videos,
Self-deleting messages that disappear after seven days and photos or videos that can only be viewed once are particularly practical. Chats can be locked with a code or fingerprint. Group administrators can delete messages from others, making it easier to moderate content.
The search function helps you to quickly find specific messages, links or media across all chats. This makes Messenger easier to use, but can also tempt you to bring up old conversations or private content that was actually forgotten.
Since the integration of Meta AI, an AI has been supporting users in formulating messages, summarizing long chats and suggesting emojis or answers. It can also answer questions, similar to a chatbot. The use of these functions is optional; users decide for themselves whether they want to use them. Channels on which
WhatsApp is quick, easy and always available. Young people use it to stay in touch, discuss homework or simply to belong. They share impressions of their everyday lives via status messages and profile pictures, similar to Instagram.
The new channels make WhatsApp even more attractive. Young people follow influencers there and receive trends, challenges and tips directly in the app. Having your own channels encourages creativity and organization, but can also increase the desire for reach or recognition.
The AI functions are also fascinating: An automatic writing assistant that suggests texts saves time and seems practical. However, young people should understand that this AI is not a neutral conversation partner, but learns from their input.
The read confirmation (“blue checkmark”) can create pressure to reply immediately. Large groups, such as
Another risk is data processing by Meta. WhatsApp collects a lot of information: Contacts, profile and location data, device and usage information. This can be used for personalized advertising or to train the AI.
The integration of meta AI brings additional challenges. Many users do not know what data the AI processes or stores. Emotional bonds can also develop with chatbots, especially when children talk about personal topics. Such conversations often seem human, but they are not.
Influencer channels can show content that is unsuitable for children. Advertising, idealization and one-sided portrayals are common, often without clear labeling.
WhatsApp belongs to the Meta Group. The provider emphasizes that chats are end-to-end
According to the provider, Meta AI should make it easier to use and deliver personalized results. At the same time, this means that the AI learns from the user’s data. Parents can check whether the AI functions are active in the settings. On some devices, this is only visible to users under 18. Use can be restricted or rejected if the device and app allow it.
Children under the age of 16 may only use WhatsApp with parental consent. Talk together about responsible use: What information can be shared? Who is allowed to see messages?
Discuss risks such as bullying, inappropriate or dangerous content (e.g. pornographic material), “fake news” or emotional attachments to AI chatbots. Encourage your child to get help if they have unpleasant experiences.
Set the data protection settings together. Pay attention to your child’s privacy and give them the freedom they need. The privacy check (Settings ” Privacy ” Privacy check) shows at a glance which settings are active and who is allowed to see what. You can find step-by-step instructions at www.medien-kindersicher.de.
Your child should only allow contacts that they know in real life. Discuss the responsible use of your own channels and influencer content. Be a role model for respectful communication yourself.
Explain that AI answers are not always correct and do not replace real conversations. Keep the conversation going and show interest in your child’s digital world – without mistrust, but with awareness.
If you are looking for messengers with stronger data protection, you can use signal, Threema or NYZZU to avoid them.
Who is allowed to do what with media and for how long? These issues come up in every family sooner or later and not infrequently cause stress and arguments. Rules on media use can help create a structure and avoid conflicts. These can be discussed by parents and children together and recorded in a contract. The online tool for a media usage contract presented here — an offer by klicksafe and the Internet-ABC — is suitable for this purpose.
The tool guides you step by step to the finished paper. You can choose from two age groups (6-12 years and 12+) and choose a title design, a mascot and a background. All the rules you select are automatically inserted like building blocks, so it’s easy to keep track of them all. Each module can be edited individually. Of course, you can also insert your own rules. At the end save the document, then it can be completed at another time. You can also create multiple contracts for different children.
Use the building blocks as a suggestion to start a conversation in your family about media use. Some possible rules you may not have thought about, others are already self-evident. Set priorities, because the tool offers very many ideas that do not all have to be implemented. There are several types of rules:
A contract is nothing more than written down rules that have been agreed upon. The advantage is that you can always look at it and remember it.
A special feature is that rules can also be set for parents. For example, parents can commit to not using the cell phone even at dinner, or to using adult media content only when children are not present. Because rules are easier for children to understand if everyone has to follow them and you set a good example.
Whether on the way to school or online: Parents want their children to be safe. Parental control apps promise support in everyday digital life. They offer functions such as location monitoring, content filters and time limits. But how helpful are these digital tools really? And where is the line between protection and control?
Parental control apps are installed on the parent’s and child’s smartphone or tablet. Depending on the provider, they offer different functions:
Tip: Look out for privacy-friendly, ad-free apps – and avoid tools that access the camera, microphone or personal content without the child’s knowledge.
Data protectionMany apps transmit location data, messages or photos unencrypted to foreign servers – often without the child’s consent.
Intrusion into the privacyChildren – the older they get – have a right to privacy. Too much control can jeopardize the relationship of trust and affect self-esteem.
Normalization of surveillance: If children learn at an early age that they are being watched, this can affect their self-perception and autonomy.
Fake security: Technical control can be deceptive: If the device is off or the child has no connection, the app won’t work either. Trust, conversations and agreements are often more reliable.
Beware of in-depth monitoring: Some commercial apps offer far-reaching access options – for example to call lists, text messages, photos, social media activities or even the microphone. These functions are highly questionable under data protection law – and are only permitted if the child actively agrees. Such far-reaching intrusions into privacy can even be legally problematic.
Parents have a duty to protect their children (Section 1626 BGB). However, as children get older, their right to privacy and informational self-determination also grows. Excessive or secret surveillance can jeopardize trust – and may even be unlawful.
There is also a risk that sensitive data such as location or images will be stored and processed on foreign servers – often without transparency or effective protection.
Parental control apps can support – but not replace – what really counts: Relationship, trust and media literacy.
Tips for everyday family life:
Tip: Practical step-by-step instructions at medien-kindersicher.de.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a game popular with children for the Nintendo Switch. In this part of the game series, the animal characters are transported to a beautiful island.
In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, a popular part of the Animal Crossing series, players start a new life with their own character on a colorful, peaceful island world. There they explore the island with its towns and rivers, mountains and beaches. They build their own house, plant gardens and come into contact with their animal neighbors, who gradually move in. There is a lot to discover and do on the game map. For example, players can go fishing, catch insects or help other islanders.
The play money on the island is called Sternis and is used for many things. Players can earn staris by completing tasks such as searching for shells or collecting branches or selling things. All players have their own house, which they can gradually expand with up to five additional rooms and equip with furniture and decorations using the in-game currency. If you want to share or download additional content such as outfits with others, you will need a paid subscription – but this is not necessary for the fun of the game itself.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons runs in real time – this means that the times of day and seasons change just like in real life. A kind of time travel function allows children to change the date and time on the console in order to progress faster in the game. The game can easily be played offline; an internet connection is not absolutely necessary. This means that children can also play locally with others and explore neighboring islands. For online connections, however, the paid subscription is required, which allows them to play together with up to eight players via the internet.
The game is friendly and lovingly designed – with lots of cute animal figures and a colorful, child-friendly environment. It offers children the opportunity to immerse themselves in their own little island world, which they can design as they wish. They playfully discover things from real life, for example how farming works, how to handle money or how to look after animals. New tasks and options are gradually unlocked. This keeps the game exciting without being overwhelming – ideal for children who do not yet have much gaming experience. The controls are also kept simple so that children can quickly find their way around and play independently. Animal Crossing: New Horizons promotes diversity by allowing players to choose and change pronouns, looks and outfits at any time, free from gender roles.
Simulation games can be very engaging for kids because they want to keep progressing. Many tasks are designed to be repeated daily – this can lead to regular play and habitual behavior.
When the Nintendo Switch is connected to the internet, functions such as chat or the store can be used. This poses further risks in the game, such as unwanted contact from strangers.
Nach Alterskennzeichen und pädagogischer Empfehlung ist das Spiel frühestens ab etwa 6 Jahren geeignet. Begleiten Sie Ihr Kind beim Einstieg und lassen Sie es anfangs nicht allein spielen. Sie können auch gemeinsam spielen und mit eigenen Spielfiguren die Insel erkunden und so besser nachvollziehen, was Ihrem Kind daran gefällt. Mehr Informationen zum Spiel bekommen Sie auf der Webseite des Spieleratgeber NRW.
Please note the following points:
Use playtime together to clarify questions and understand what fascinates your child about play.
Meta AI is a new digital assistant from Meta, the company behind Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. Without a separate app, young people can now access artificial intelligence directly via chat or search – for learning, chatting or collecting ideas. The question for parents is: how does it work – and is it safe?
Meta AI has been officially available in Germany since March 2025. A blue circle with a sparkling pattern signals access to AI-supported chats – directly in WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook or Messenger. A separate app is not required. The text-based assistant responds to questions, gives tips and suggests content. Meta AI is also integrated into the search bar on Instagram and Facebook. This can lead to users interacting with the AI unintentionally.
Many young people experience Meta AI as practical support in everyday life. The AI is available exactly where they are anyway – on WhatsApp or Instagram. It provides quick answers to school questions, helps with translations, writes texts or makes suggestions for posts and content. The AI is friendly, approachable and helpful, almost like a conversation partner.
Especially in comparison to more complex AI offerings such as ChatGPT or Perplexity AI – which specify sources or require special user knowledge – Meta AI has a much lower-threshold and more familiar effect because it appears directly in the familiar Allatgs apps. Many young people also try out Meta AI because they talk about it with their friends or share content.
Meta emphasizes that no private messages or data from minors in Europe are used for training. According to Meta, public content is accessed within the framework of applicable data protection laws. In the EU, users must actively object if they do not want their content to be used for AI training. However, data protectionists criticize the fact that there is no active consent.
Parents can best protect and empower their children if they stay in conversation and reflect together on how AI works.
A minimum age of 13 years is required to use Meta AI, or even 16 depending on the app, but there is no automatic age check. Talk to your child about these age limits too
Erotic media content or even porn is actually not for children and teenagers. But because they are curious and want to test their limits, internet offers for adults, such as OnlyFans, can be exciting from a young age.
Users can view photos and videos from other users on the OnlyFans website. Among them are also erotic and pornographic contents, which, however, are shown only after payment.
Unlike other social media platforms such as Facebook or Instagram, OnlyFans is not financed by advertising. Instead, users pay a monthly subscription fee or a one-off pay-per-view fee for content from individual providers (so-called creators) – this could be videos, photos or music. The idea is that creators respond to the wishes of their fans and also reveal personal things. Sexual content on the site does not violate the terms of use and money can be earned with revealing performances.
From lifestyle and fashion to entertainment – the platform offers content of all kinds. German celebrities have also discovered OnlyFans as a source of income. Stars such as singer Bill Kaulitz, rapper Fler and actress Anne Wünsche offer paid subscriptions on the platform. Stars and influencers advertise their paid OnlyFans content via their YouTube or Instagram channels. For young fans, this can lead to the desire to become active on the platform so that they don’t miss anything.
Although the site can be used officially only from 18 years, registration is possible without age verification. Only those who want to share content themselves must prove that they are of legal age. Children and young people can therefore register on OnlyFans, follow other users and even write private messages. They can only use the paid area if they have access to a credit card.
OnlyFans is for adult entertainment. There is also harmless content there. But the proximity to erotic and pornographic content makes it possible for children and young people to come into contact with content that is unsuitable for them. There are also sites circulating on the Internet that allegedly allow users to access OnlyFans’ paid content without paying or using a credit card.
On platforms such as OnlyFans, digital sex work is often shown as normal or even desirable. This can give children and young people the impression that showing themselves sexy or naked on the internet is not a problem. This can be dangerous: When the inhibition threshold drops, young people often no longer recognize sexual assault as such. Perpetrators can take advantage of this and try to sexually harass minors. In addition, a lot of this content shows a one-sided and stereotypical role model: women are often only supposed to be beautiful and please men – this shapes young people’s thinking.
Talk openly with your child about which social media platforms they are on and what they are doing there. They may come across content that is not yet suitable for their age, such as OnlyFans. Address the dangers and risks and explain factually why such sites are unsuitable.
Talk to your child about topics such as sexuality, self-image on the internet and how to deal with contact from strangers. Encourage your child to get help immediately if they receive unpleasant messages or contact attempts. Question content in the media together: Why is a certain image of women or men shown – and who actually benefits from this?
Older teenagers in particular want to learn about their sexuality and use erotic content from the Internet to do so. This is quite natural, but can also lead to problems. Read more in our article “Help, my child watches porn!“. If your child has already come into contact with erotic or pornographic content on the site, you should also discuss this together. Allow your child to ask questions or tell you if they are overwhelmed.
If you feel that you cannot help your child at home, do not be afraid to seek professional help, for example via digital counseling services. School psychologists can be a point of contact. The helpline Nummer-gegen-Kummer also offers a wide range of advice for children, young people and parents.
Thrilling battles, epic dungeons and exciting stories full of secrets – that’s what players can expect in Minecraft Dungeons. The adventure role-playing game from the Minecraft-universe appeals particularly to older children and teenagers who love action and are looking for quick rewards.
Minecraft Dungeons is an action-adventure game in the popular Minecraft universe. It is characterized by the Hack&Slay style – a genre that thrives on fast, action-packed battles with many opponents. In contrast to the classic Minecraftwhich focuses primarily on creativity and sandbox elements, Minecraft Dungeons focuses on combat and adventure. In computer games, a dungeon is an underground or abandoned area that can be explored by players. These dungeons are often filled with obstacles, enemies and puzzles that must be overcome in order to gain rewards or progress in the game.
Minecraft Dungeons is a bird’s eye view game. Players embark on an epic journey to save the world from the evil Arch-Illager, who threatens the land with his dark power. A central gameplay element is the collection of equipment and weapons. Over the course of the game, players will find many different types of armor, swords, bows and magical artefacts that improve their abilities and help them defeat stronger enemies. Particularly interesting is the loot system, which provides constant rewards and significantly increases the replay value of the game. Minecraft Dungeons offers different levels of difficulty, allowing players to customize their own challenge.
Minecraft Dungeons is particularly popular with children because it incorporates many elements from the classic Minecraft game while offering a new and exciting experience. In Minecraft Dungeons, players take on the role of adventurers who travel through different areas to fight hordes of enemies. There are numerous dungeons to explore. Randomly generated maps make the game varied and exciting. The game can be played alone or in co-op mode with up to four players. Minecraft Dungeons is easily accessible and not as complex as other action role-playing games. The controls are simple, so even younger children can immerse themselves in the game world without much frustration.
Minecraft Dungeons includes action-packed battles against various enemies, including well-known Minecraft characters (e.g. zombies, spiders, skeletons) and other fantasy creatures. The violence in the game is depicted graphically in a rather harmless way and does not show any brutal scenes. However, the frequent confrontations with enemies could be unpleasant or unsettling for sensitive children.
Minecraft Dungeons offers the opportunity to cooperate with other players online. Although the game does not offer a direct chat function, it can be played in groups. Players often use additional platforms or apps to communicate. Children and young people can thus interact with other online players, which can entail communication risks, even if the game itself does not offer voice or text chat functions.
The game offers various purchase options for additional content, including cosmetic items such as new skins or equipment. There are also paid seasonal expansions (DLC) and packs on offer.
On the minecraft website, the privacy policy and terms of use are available in German. Data is adequately protected in compliance with the GDPR. Minecraft Dungeons is linked to a Microsoft account that parents can use to set up parental controls.
Minecraft Dungeons is an exciting game for older children and teenagers aged 12 and over, but it also presents challenges. Make sure you give your child access to age-appropriate gamesand agree on clear rules for using games in the family.
Technical precautions can help here. As a parent, you can set the following functions via the parental controls in your Microsoft account to make using Minecraft Dungeons even safer:
You can find more information about the Microsoft account settings at medien-kindersicher.de
Squad Busters is a fast-paced multiplayer group action game in which ten players compete to grab and keep the most jewels. The game is a mix of other video games from Finnish game developer Supercell and features characters from Clash of Clans, Clash Royale, Brawl Stars, Hay Day and Boom Beach.
Squad Busters is about leading a group of characters who compete together as a team. The aim is to collect as many gems as possible or eliminate other teams. Whoever has the most gems at the end of the round wins. Gems can be earned in various ways: For example, by defeating monsters, chopping down trees, searching through bushes, destroying crates or collecting coins. Each round is different because the rules of the game are determined randomly. This keeps the game varied and exciting.
In Squad Busters, children and teenagers can expect simple but colorful 3D graphics. The game looks similar to other games from Supercell, such as Brawl Stars. Anyone familiar with these games will quickly find their way around. The gameplay is also reminiscent of earlier successful titles that are played by millions of people worldwide. What is particularly exciting for children is that they can find familiar characters from other games in Squad Busters and develop them further.
The game motivates you to spend a lot of time with it. Firstly, the game characters can be continuously improved and gradually upgraded. The aim is to reach the highest level of development – the so-called Ultra Evolution. With each evolution, the characters gain new abilities that make them stronger. This helps players to be more successful. Secondly, there are rewards in the form of chests with surprises after each round. Those who do particularly well receive more rewards and in-game currency. The currency can be used to unlock further improvements in the game.
In Squad Busters, players have the opportunity to play with friends and family as well as strangers and chat in group chats. This allows your child to get in touch with unknown people who may not be who they say they are. After random rounds of play, your child may receive friend requests from other players. This carries the risk of cyberbullying and cybergrooming.
Squad Busters offers a variety of in-game purchases that can tempt children to spend real money on additional content. These include a virtual currency to purchase various items or upgrades or to buy new characters or cosmetic skins for existing characters to customize the gaming experience. Players can also purchase special power-ups or boosts that give them advantages in the game. There are also battle passes that offer regular rewards or benefits in the game.
There is a guide for parents on the official website of the provider Supercell. For example, it points out existing in-app purchases in the game and explains how parents can manage them and switch them off if necessary. Supercell states that it does not pass on personal data to third parties for commercial purposes or in any other way. The provider has created a “blacklist” for safe chatting. This allows certain terms to be quickly and automatically removed from chats. Chat messages can be muted and are then no longer displayed.
Supercell states that various data must be collected in order to play the game. You can find out exactly what data the provider accesses in the privacy policy. It is advisable to first explore the game together with your child. Play together to better understand your child’s enthusiasm for the game.
Keep in touch with your child about the game and encourage them to contact you if they have any questions or problems.
