Books and TikTok – how do they go together? Young people show that it can be done. TikTok has long been more than just a platform for dance videos: Many use it to find out about current trends – including popular books. There is also an active book community on YouTube and Instagram that discusses reading.
Reading books seems to be losing importance in the age of social media. But the Booktok trend proves the opposite: digital and analog media are not mutually exclusive!
The term Booktok is made up of “Book” and “TikTok“. Under the hashtag #booktok, users share book tips in creative short videos – far removed from dry literature reviews. The content is entertaining and visually appealing, inspiring young people to read. Genres such as romance, fantasy, crime/thriller, young adult and dark romance are particularly popular.
Dark romance is a particularly popular genre in romance literature. The stories are often intense, dramatic and often deal with dark or taboo subjects. Parents should be vigilant: it is often about power imbalances, toxic dependencies or psychological manipulation in relationships. An open discussion helps young people to critically question problematic depictions.
Publishers and bookshops have also recognized the trend. They often present their own “BookTok” tables with the most popular titles in bookshops. Bestsellers are no longer created solely through classic reviews, but through viral TikTok trends.
In addition to TikTok, there is also the book community “Bookstagram” on Instagram. Here, readers share aesthetic images of their current reads, write reviews and organize reading rounds. Compared to TikTok, books are discussed more intensively here. Real book recommendations and new reading circles are created in the comments.
YouTube also has a fixed point of contact for bookworms with “BookTube”. There are detailed book reviews, reading months and so-called TBR (To Be Read) lists in which users present their planned reading.
Certain apps make reading more exciting – and sometimes even a challenge. They help you to track your own reading behavior and set reading goals. These include
Many of these apps offer the option of writing reviews and networking with others. Before using them, however, you should check the data protection guidelines to see what data is collected and passed on.
Even though social media encourages reading, parents should keep a few things in mind:
Look together with your child to see which books are really exciting. Libraries or digital services such as Onleihe offer many options – without having to buy expensive books.
Apps, remote-controlled cars, vending machines – in our increasingly digital world, programming skills are a valuable skill. Age-appropriate apps and programs introduce children to coding in a playful way and encourage creativity, logical thinking and problem-solving skills.
ScratchScratch is an image-oriented, visual programming language and an online platform developed by the MIT Media Lab especially for children and young people aged 8 to 16. Children can use it to learn programming step by step in a fun way. With a simple drag-and-drop interface, they can create their own animations, games and interactive stories. The software is extremely appealing and gives your child the opportunity to create their own worlds. There is also a large online community where your child can share coding projects and be inspired by others. There is also an app version that can be used offline.
ScratchJrFor younger children (aged 5+) there is ScratchJr, which offers simple visual programming for first coding experiences. The app allows your child to create their own interactive stories and games by stringing together graphical program blocks to move characters and create actions such as jumping, dancing and singing. You can customize the characters and add your own voices and sounds. ScratchJr is easy to use and has a child-friendly design.
OctoStudioOctoStudio is an intuitive, block-based programming language that allows users to create interactive animations and games directly on their smartphone or tablet. The app was developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group of the MIT Media Lab and makes it possible to take photos and sounds and bring them to life with programming blocks. The use of device sensors is particularly noteworthy: projects can be controlled interactively by shaking, tilting or jumping. OctoStudio is ad-free, contains no in-app purchases and does not collect any user data. The app is available in more than 20 languages, including German, and can be downloaded free of charge from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.
Programming with the mouseThis website is aimed at children aged 8 and over and teaches programming basics in a fun way, inspired by “Die Sendung mit der Maus”. The popular TV character from the show awakens an interest in coding and accompanies your child through the program. The web application uses Scratch as a basis, but does not allow you to publish your own projects. “Programming with the Mouse” focuses on entertaining games and activities to impart knowledge in an appealing way. The platform offers structured instructions that guide children step by step through the world of programming. Successfully solving tasks boosts children’s self-confidence and is fun. The website promotes creative learning and makes programming accessible to children.
Ronja’s robotRonja’s Robot is an app for iOS and Android, developed by the Kinder Forschen foundation. It introduces children aged 6 to 12 to programming and robotics in a playful way. The app consists of two clever games: “Roberta rast”, in which your child learns programming concepts, and “Speak like Roberta”, which teaches the computer language binary code (from 1 and 0). For more advanced children, the graphical programming language OPEN Roberta offers the opportunity to delve deeper into the world of programming. Creative thinking is encouraged and your child can come up with their own solutions to tricky challenges. Your child can earn badges and rewards in the game and create coding projects together with other children as a team.
Your child may forget the time when programming. Set rules for screen time together with your child. Make sure your child socializes and spends time outdoors. There may also be occasional frustration when challenges arise. Support your child, encourage them – and learn something new yourself. There are also school and leisure activities where children can learn the programs. Use the fragFINN search engine for children to find offers in your area.
“Just ask a chatbot!” – This could soon be the motto when it comes to searching for information or answering questions. ChatGPT, an AI-based chatbot, is becoming increasingly popular and is also being used more and more by children and young people. We provide an insight into the tool.
ChatGPT is a computer program that was developed using artificial intelligence (AI) to answer questions and create texts. It is based on huge amounts of data from various sources, such as books, news and conversations. Users can chat directly with the program – and in amazingly natural language. It can also be integrated into apps such as WhatsApp, making it even easier and more flexible to use.
The paid version of ChatGPT can also retrieve up-to-date information from the Internet. This function is particularly useful for answering questions about current events or trends. In the basic version, however, ChatGPT only has knowledge up to 2021, which can lead to outdated information.
A sample conversation
Question: Hey ChatGPT, I’m planning a birthday for my son. Can you help me?
ChatGPT: Sure! How old will your son be and what does he particularly like? Then we can collect ideas for games, decorations or food.
Question: He is nine and loves dinosaurs. Do you have any suggestions?
ChatGPT: How about a dinosaur treasure hunt in the garden? You can hide little dinosaur figures and draw a map. Dino-shaped cookies or muffins would also be a nice idea. Would you like me to find you a recipe?
Linus: Good idea! Can you give me any tips for invitations?
ChatGPT: Sure! You could make invitations in the shape of dinosaur tracks. On each track you write the details of the party and the kids can see it as a little adventure. Would you like me to make you a template?
ChatGPT is easily accessible, fast and versatile. It can write creative texts, answer complex questions and communicate in different languages. For many, it feels like they are writing to a real person. The ability to write creative texts, answer complex questions and communicate in different languages inspires many. ChatGPT can also promote creativity and language comprehension.
Children and young people use ChatGPT for example for:
According to OpenAI, children and young people should be protected as follows:
The provider also points out that users should be careful not to share personal data. It also points out that functions such as integration into apps should be used with caution.
Explain to your child that not everything the chat program says is true or correct. ChatGPT has been trained with texts, and therefore only knows what it has seen. It can make mistakes. Encourage your child to think critically by encouraging them to question ChatGPT’s answers. Make sure your child verifies the information they receive with other sources. It’s best to try this out together and explain to him how to deal with disinformation.
The chatbot can assist with school-related tasks. For example, he can describe something in simple words. ChatGPT should not do homework for your child. Explain to your child that ChatGPT is a tool and not a perfect source. ChatGPT cannot think.
Stay in conversation with your child and educate them about dangerous content online. The chatbot has also been trained with texts that may be inappropriate for your child. Work out boundaries and rules for use together.
Explain to your child that they have a right to security and data protection. You and your child should not submit any personal information. Encourage your child to let you know if there is a problem. Make sure your child understands how to protect his or her privacy.
Video or game night? But which movies, series or computer games are suitable for the whole family? What does the age rating on the cover actually mean? Age ratings protect against questionable content, but are not age recommendations. This article explains the differences and shows how parents can make good decisions for their children.
In Germany, there is a system for assessing whether media could be problematic or harmful for a young audience: Age rating or age labeling. It is carried out by various institutions:
All of these checks look at whether media content contains violence, sexuality, drug use or discrimination or is particularly frightening. The more such content, the higher the age rating. After the check, the content is given the colorful stickers with the age information on them that are widely known. If a film or game is not approved for a certain age, this means, for example, that it is blocked by youth protection filters or may only be shown on television from a certain time. In cinemas, the age of visitors is checked.
Media content is checked to see whether it could impair the development of children and young people. The aim of age ratings is to protect young adolescents from traumatizing or frightening content. There is no pedagogical assessment behind it: The content is not checked to see whether it is interesting or recommendable for young users!
A recommendation, on the other hand, is nothing more than a ‘good tip’. We get recommendations from friends and neighbors, from the radio – or from educators who check media offerings to see whether they are appealing to children, easy to understand and valuable in terms of content.
As anyone can make a recommendation, it is important to question whether it is well-founded and credible. In the case of private recommendations, it helps to assess the person. In the case of articles or websites, you should know and question the authors. Good sources include:
The age rating protects against questionable content, but it is not a recommendation. Recommendations, on the other hand, can be made by anyone with an interest in media – but the criteria for this are often unclear. A combination of different sources of information is therefore important.
If parents adhere to age ratings, they can avoid frightening or scary content. In addition, recommendations from reputable sources increase the hit rate for a good media offer enormously.
Ideally, parents should also see for themselves: watch the movie beforehand, find out about the game on YouTube or even try it out for yourself. After all, you know your child best and know what they like, what is too much for them or what they are afraid of.
And above all: keep the conversation going! Talk to your child about their media experiences. Listen and show interest in the movies or games they love – but also in the ones they don’t like.
And if you’ve chosen the wrong movie – no problem! There’s always the spontaneous popcorn evening on the sofa.
The smell of cookies, shopping stress, shining children’s eyes: the holidays are approaching and digital devices and games are on the wish lists of many children and young people. What should parents consider before and after giving a gift? Between the years and during the vacations, there is also time for shared family media experiences. How can this be designed in a safe, age-appropriate and even creative way? In this article, we give you an overview of offers from the Elternguide.online partner network.
The Christmas vacations can be long, especially when the weather outside doesn’t really invite you to play. You probably have devices such as smartphones, tablets, cameras or a laptop lying around at home. How about you and your child simply getting started, taking photos or filming yourselves, trying out new creative apps and actively organizing media time? It’s great fun and your child will also learn something about media skills.
On the website kinder.jff.de there are suggestions for simple media projects that children aged 6 and over can do on their own or from the age of 3 with support from you as parents at home. This is helped by child-friendly video instructions in which the implementation of the media projects is shown step by step. How about a photo memory with Christmas tree decorations or an audio story about Christmas traditions?
For young photo fans between the ages of 8 and 12, the knipsclub offers a safe environment in which they can try out their skills in a closed and pedagogically supervised photo community and exchange photos with each other. On the website you will find creative photo tips, for example on painting with light. A real eye-catcher, especially on New Year’s Eve!
You are probably familiar with challenges from social media, e.g. dance challenges on TikTok. Children and young people love to take on challenges. Challenges don’t necessarily only have to take place on the Internet, you can also play them at home with your family! Why not try out the top photo challenge, the clip challenge or the re-enactment challenge? We have made a few suggestions in our parents’ guide article. You can find more Advent challenges on the website of the JFF project webhelm.de.
Children have many questions and learn early on that their questions will be answered on the Internet. How is Christmas celebrated in other countries? What craft tips and baking recipes are there for Christmas? The children’s search engine fragFINN offers children access to 3,500 verified websites, including around 400 children’s sites. Primary school children can gain their first Internet experience here in a protected surfing room and learn how to use search engines and search results. In the fragFINN Advent calendar, children can open a little door every day, behind which there are links to other children’s sites with a wide range of information and offers suitable for the winter season.
You can find more playful learning pages in this parents’ guide article.
Your child will probably also enjoy watching videos. If you are still looking for suitable films, series or YouTube clips, take a look at FLIMMO and have a look.
In addition to age information and educational recommendations for all formats from TV, streaming, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram, you will find winter movie tips from the Grüffelokind to the Grinch and the Polar Express under the special “Highlights in Advent”. A TV evening together can be a really nice family experience, especially when it’s as cold and dark outside as it is during the winter vacations. In this article, FLIMMO explains what you need to bear in mind when adding media to your wish list.
Parents must decide individually when their child is ready for their first smartphone, depending on their level of development and experience. After all, a smartphone theoretically opens up the whole world of the Internet to your child, with all its opportunities and risks. klicksafe offers extensive information for parents. Use the smartphone readiness checklist to see whether a smartphone is ready for the Christmas tree. Has the decision been positive? Then find out about technical setting options for Android and iOS and watch the instructions in the form of explanatory videos. You can find all information material from klicksafe in this topic special.
Would you like to prepare your child for the first smartphone under the Christmas tree? Child-friendly information on the first smartphone is available in the children’s magazine Genial Digital from the Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk. The fragFINN app gives your child a protected surfing space on their first smartphone and gives them access to quality, positive content.
Are you considering buying a smartwatch as an alternative? Then take a look at this topic from klicksafe. Please note: technical protective measures are no substitute for family discussions and media rules. Stay in contact with your child and accompany them as they take their first steps with a smartwatch or smartphone.
In addition to discussions and media rules, technical youth media protection is an important component of media education. Use the settings for screen time and Digital Wellbeing settings on smartphones to set time limits for the entire device or for different apps and to filter content. The youth protection program JusProg offers a precise filter option for websites and safe default settings for mobile devices and laptops. Google Family Links and YouTube Kids offer in the world of the internet giant Google offer the opportunity to make media experiences safer for your child. Social media apps such as Instagram and TikTok also offer safety features and options for parental guidance. Streaming with the family can be a fun activity during the vacations. Almost all streaming services have certified offers for the protection of minors. Use your own child profiles and the parental control function with the PIN. Many of the youth protection programs have been approved by the expert commission of the Voluntary Self-Regulation of Multimedia Service Providers (FSM). You can find out more about technical solutions for the protection of minors in the media on the FSM website.
Detailed instructions for all devices can be found on the website medien-kindersicher.de.
Which games should I give my child for Christmas? Are games okay for preschoolers? In the family section of the USK website and via the USK brochures, you will find all the information you need on the USK’s age ratings, the additional information and how to deal with the subject of games in the family.
The USK mark indicates the age at which a game does not cause any developmental impairments. The additional information such as “fantasy violence” or “pressure to act” gives parents a good indication of whether a game is suitable for their own child. Educational assessments of games can be found at the NRW games guide. Descriptions of popular games like Fortnite, Minecraft or Roblox are available on Elternguide.online. The USK lexicon explains the most important terms, devices and genres.
Would you like to make your child happy with a game for Christmas? Find out about the distribution channels for games and technical precautionary measures. Various settings for the protection of minors can be made on consoles as well as in game stores and the games themselves. Play together with your child and ask them interesting questions about their favorite games.
The team at Elternguide.online wishes you and your family a wonderful Christmas season and lots of fun using media safely and creatively!
With their child’s first smartphone, parents are often looking for solutions to keep media use safe. Kidgonet is a parental control app that aims to impress with its ease of use and special focus on data protection. We took a closer look at the app.
When children get their first smartphone, parents often have a lot of questions: How much use is sensible? How can we set and monitor usage times together? How can I protect my child and at the same time support them in using their smartphone sensibly? Parental control apps or programs often come into play here. Offers such as Google Family Link, JusProg or Salfeld parental controls promise parents an overview and control over their child’s media usage times. Kidgonet also aims to make it easier for parents and children to start using media independently. The app is available as a subscription – families pay between €29.64 and €39.48 per year, depending on the duration of the contract. Parents can use the app to set and monitor their child’s device usage: Parents themselves register very easily in the Kidgonet parent portal and set how long their child is allowed to use media and set “media breaks”. In the parent portal, they can also see how much time their child has already used. The children have their own app on their smartphone, which uses a traffic light system to display their own time usage. The app can add up screen time from different devices so that the screen time can also be set for several devices.
The special feature: Kidgonet only transmits pure times to parents. It is not possible to see what content the child is using. And the provider itself also promises not to forward or store any data. All of this is intended to protect children’s data and privacy. And by encouraging parents to talk to their children about the content instead of simply deactivating apps.
In order to still offer content protection, Kidgonet claims to have integrated an age-appropriate filter. The criteria used for filtering are not described in detail. For children, on the other hand, the app has an emergency button and a direct link to youth counseling services. The service is suitable for children from primary school age.
As with all technical usage limits, it should always be clear when using Kidgonet that a mere time limit is no substitute for media education. Although the duration of media use can be controlled by the app, the content remains unaffected. Parents should not be lulled into a sense of security and should continue to pay attention to their child’s media use.
Even the integrated filter should not be seen as a substitute for your own caution when dealing with content. No filter is 100 percent safe. The ultimate responsibility for assessing content remains with the children or parents themselves.
It is also important that set times, media breaks etc. are well discussed with the children and, if possible, determined together. If children feel patronized here without being asked, the supposed protection can quickly backfire – for example, if the children find other ways to get media time. Be it with friends or via other devices.
In principle, the restriction of privacy must always be treated sensitively.
Kidgonet sees itself as support in limiting usage times. The app should therefore not be seen as a substitute for media education and communication about content. The creators emphasize in their “Parents’ Guide”: ” Parents’ role model function, shared media use and the involvement of children in decision-making are key elements in creating a healthy digital environment.”
Kidgonet is purely a time limiter – and not an educational aid in terms of content. The app can be used to set and limit media times. Of course, such media times work best if they are discussed together in the family and, if necessary, negotiated by means of a compromise so that the children also agree to their time budget.
It is at least as important to accompany your child in terms of content when using media. Regardless of how long or short your child uses their smartphone or tablet, keep talking about which programs and content they use, what questions or problems they have and how they are doing. This is the only way your child can learn to assess offers, make sensible choices and deal well with difficulties. This media education cannot replace technical limitations.
Regularly adapt the settings and arrangements to the age and needs of your child. As your child becomes more independent, the restrictions should be relaxed.
As the world’s largest video portal, YouTube is very popular with children and young people thanks to its variety of formats and topics. They subscribe to their idols‘ channels, participate in the community via likes and comments, post videos themselves and share the latest clips and trends.
YouTube presents challenges such as personalized advertising, content that is not age-appropriate or hate speech. Younger children are not yet able to deal with such hurdles on their own. That is why the provider Google parents with YouTube Kids and Parental Controls to make their child’s use of YouTube safer, depending on their age and stage of development.
YouTube Kids is a special video platform for children. It filters out child-friendly content using a special algorithm and uploads it to the app or website. YouTube Kids is easy to use, but you cannot upload your own videos.
Technical errors can cause unsuitable videos to be uploaded to YouTube Kids . Further information on the service can be found in this parents’ guide article.
YouTube Kids no longer offers older children quite as much content that suits their age and interests. For example, many Let’s Play videos of Minecraft and the like, which are very popular with older primary school children, are filtered out. If you have a child account and a parent account, you can share individual videos with your child and expand the range of content on YouTube Kids according to your child’s interests.
Another option is parental control. With this function, YouTube offers parents the opportunity to set age-appropriate settings for children’s YouTube usage. To do this, parents must link the parent and child accounts, for example via Google Family Link. Select the “YouTube (parental control)” app in the child account settings. In the “Content settings”, you can choose from three setting options, which we explain below.
YouTube offers these additional setting options for every age group:
You can find more tips on how parents can set up YouTube safely on Media Safe for Kids and in the family section of YouTube.
Note: The format YouTube Shorts format shows an endless feed of short video clips and cannot be controlled with settings functions.
Stay informed about the safety settings on YouTube and adjust them again and again in consultation with your child and according to their stage of development.
Important: Attitudes towards technical youth media protection do not replace media education. Your child may still be confronted with content and situations that are too much for them. Remain open and interested and ask which videos and channels your child enjoys and what exactly fascinates them about them. Encourage your child’s media skills. Talk to your child openly and as non-judgementally as possible about topics such as advertising, communication risks or the influence of influencers. This way, your child will feel safe with you as a contact person and can confide in you if they have problems.
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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Note: In acute problem situations or emergencies, please contact specialized experts directly, e.g. the Nummer gegen Kummer (www.nummergegenkummer.de) or the Telefonseelsorge (365 days a year, available around the clock: www.telefonseelsorge.de).
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The games industry is constantly evolving and creating new ideas to sell its products. One of these is the “Games-as-a-Service” business model. In this article, we explain the advantages and disadvantages of this form of game monetization and what you should bear in mind as a parent.
Games-as-a-Service means “games as a service”. In the video game industry, the term describes a business model in which a product is not sold once, but is continuously developed and offered. In return, the games receive constant updates, new content and mechanics that should keep players excited for years to come. This also influences how the games are developed, marketed and played.
Many Games-as-a-Service games are initially free of charge, but offer the option of purchasing cosmetic items such as particularly splendid weapons or elaborate clothing for a fee. Such items are often only offered for a limited time or subject to certain conditions. This means that players not only have to spend real money, but also play the game for a particularly long time within a specified period. One example of this is the Battle or Season Pass in popular games such as Fortnite .
Another Games-as-a-Service approach is the well-known subscription model. Players take out a subscription to be able to use a single game. The entry costs of the games are often limited, as only the subscription costs are incurred. As a rule, these games cost 10-15 euros per month. Manufacturers primarily earn money with ongoing subscriptions. An old, but still very popular “subscription game” is World of Warcraft .
Games-as-a-Service strongly bind players to a game or service. If you don’t pay, you either have to make up for it with longer playing times or you can’t unlock certain items in the first place. An expiring subscription may in turn mean that players will no longer be able to access the content.
Caution: A subscription incurs ongoing costs. These add up over time. If the subscription for a game is 10 euros per month, the annual cost is 120 euros. If more than one game and/or service is then subscribed to, costs quickly arise that go well beyond the normal amount of pocket money.
Another aspect of this business model is the so-called “sunk cost fallacy”. Canceling a subscription or switching to another game can be difficult, as it can feel like time and money already invested is being lost. This can lead to players feeling obliged to continue using the game in order to justify the costs already incurred. There can also be a fear of missing out(FOMO) if not every minute of the paid Battle or Season Pass is filled.
The business model offers many advantages, such as a constant stream of new content, low entry costs and the flexible option of canceling the game at any time. At the same time, there are associated risks, such as an increased risk of excessive media use, the potentially growing cost of games and the fact that gamers can never truly own the game.
Keep in mind that many “Games-as-a-Service” games are geared towards the multiplayer experience. They often serve as a virtual meeting place where common interests can be exchanged and friendships cultivated. Banning these games without proper communication and understanding of the importance of these social connections can strain the relationship of trust between parents and children. Have an open discussion with your child about the reasons for a possible ban and potential alternatives. This can help to accommodate your child’s social needs while keeping them safe and secure.
Many children get their own smartphone during their primary school years. With it, they can do different things and have access to the Internet. In addition to many great opportunities, however, it also exposes children to risks. It is particularly important that you talk to your child about possible dangers and make safety settings on the smartphone together.
Without your child realizing it, he or she is leaving data trails by using a messenger and other apps, as well as by surfing the web. Explain to your child the various smartphone functions and how to set them sensibly: WLAN, Bluetooth and location should remain switched off by default and only be activated when absolutely necessary. For example, GPS is necessary if your child is looking for directions to a specific location using a map app. Check the app permissions in the settings together with your child. For example, you can avoid apps accessing the camera without reason or sharing data with other devices and networks. Educate your child about online scams, such as spam emails or phishing. Additional security is provided by virus scanner apps that can protect against unwanted viruses and dangers such as data theft, subscription traps or fake offers.
It is important to use codes and passwords to ensure secure use of the device and apps. Your child’s cell phone should only be used after entering a code (PIN, swipe code, etc.) to prevent strangers from accessing personal data. Set up secure password protection with your child. This also applies to registration with social media services and apps. Secure passwords consist of at least twelve characters and contain special characters and numbers in addition to letters. Depending on the device, your child’s fingerprint can also be used to unlock the device (e.g. Touch ID on iOS). Tips for creating secure passwords are available – e.g. at Handysektor. For younger children, it is recommended that at least one parent also knows the screen lock combination and password.
Security and parental control settings can be made on every smartphone in the settings. Detailed information on this can be found, among other things, in the article on technical youth media protection.
On Android, you can block the installation of apps in the Play Store or set a password for installation or in-app purchases. To do this, activate the parental control settings. You can choose which apps your child can install without a password.
iOS devices offer even more options in their own device settings. Under Screen Time you have the option to set restrictions and assign a separate code for them. You can then, for example, allow or block the use of certain apps and restrict in-app purchases with a password. Movies, music, apps and TV shows with a higher age rating can also be blocked automatically. iOS can automatically filter and hide web content in Safari and apps.
Additional apps are also recommended:
To avoid cost traps, a tariff with a limited data volume can be useful. Make sure you also make certain settings for your child’s privacy and safety on social media apps and use Instagram safely, for example. Here you can specifically regulate the visibility of your child’s profile and the basic contact options. Some platforms offer a safer alternative mode for minors – e.g. the accompanied mode on TikTok.
We also recommend installing the fragFINN app. This children’s search engine offers a protected surfing area with tested websites. This way you can ensure that your child can only access age-appropriate and safe content, both for school research and for leisure activities.
For more information on safe smartphone settings, it’s worth visiting medien-kindersicher.de. Here you will find helpful, technical protection solutions for all your child’s devices, services and apps explained step by step.
Also remember to carry out regular software updates on your child’s smartphone to close security gaps and minimize the risk of viruses, for example
Smartphones come with some features to make chatting, surfing the web and using apps safer for your child. However, these settings on the device or parental control apps are no substitute for parental supervision. Your child should always understand why certain websites or apps should be blocked or why GPS tracking should remain deactivated. Also, always base your control and safety on your child’s age and development. Especially with teens, don’t intrude too much on your child’s privacy. However, always try to stay in conversation with your child and be there as a point of contact for questions or uncertainties.
A button on the jacket, an app on the cell phone – and all parental worries about lost children are a thing of the past once and for all, because the child can simply be tracked in an emergency. Sounds great? But Bluetooth tracking has its pitfalls …
The days when children had to mark their paths with breadcrumbs, as in Hansel and Gretel, are over. Today we live in modern media worlds and can track children instead of looking for them. This works, for example, via devices such as smartwatches that locate themselves via GPS and immediately pass on the child’s location to the parents.
But there is another option and that is Bluetooth trackers. The best known are probably the Apple Airtags or Samsung SmartTags, but there are also many other trackers from other providers. These small devices, the size and appearance of key rings, were originally designed to make objects easier to find. If you attach it to your key ring, wallet, bobby car – or even your child – you can locate it via Bluetooth if necessary. The connection between the tracker and smartphone (app) does not work via satellites as with GPS, but directly via radio waves. The tracker connects to an accessible smartphone with a tracker app and can thus determine and send an approximate location. Compared to GPS trackers, Bluetooth trackers are often smaller and lighter, the battery lasts longer and there are no monthly fees. However, they also work somewhat less accurately, especially in the countryside when there are only a few smartphones nearby.
Bluetooth trackers are not the magic cure for relaxed childcare.
On the one hand, Bluetooth is not technically the ultimate in searches: the trackers only really work if there are many matching devices in the vicinity. It therefore makes sense to use a popular tracking app, which is also installed on many other smartphones and helps to determine the location. In the forest, for example, they make no sense at all. In addition, they can only transmit an approximate location. For this reason, a specific area must still be searched in large crowds.
On the other hand, the legal situation is still a little unclear. After all, children also have personal rights – and these include the right not to be monitored without their consent. So at the very least, a conversation and the child’s consent are required to fit them with a tracker. There is also the aspect of data economy to consider: if children are constantly sending and receiving Bluetooth data, strangers can also obtain location information that is none of their business.
And then there is the relationship aspect: secretly monitoring a child is not conducive to building trust in the relationship.
So what to do when the question of a tracker arises?
Have an open conversation with your child and discuss the arguments and scenarios with them in an age-appropriate manner. There are certainly situations – for example in amusement parks, at events or similar – where a tracker gives both you as parents and your child a certain freedom of movement and security. Anxious children in particular may be able to take more independent steps with a tracker in their pocket. In other, less dangerous moments, your child can also enjoy your trust and learn their own strategies for finding their way around.
In all of this, it is important that your child does not get the feeling that they are being monitored or that you do not trust them. So be sure to talk about the ideas and arguments, possibilities and limitations of trackers – and decide together in which situations they seem useful and helpful to all family members and when not. At around 6 to 7 years of age, you can explain the tracking measure to your child in a child-friendly way.
Radiant skin and shiny hair, perfect nails and stunning make-up – the world of beauty influencers is all about beauty. There is cream and powder, plucking and brushing. And did a lot of shopping.
If you’re wondering what can be designed, cared for and “improved” on such a body, you’ve come to the right place. Beauty influencers know their way around the aisles of a drugstore better than they know their own back pocket. They know what protects against sunburn and what helps afterwards. They know what’s trending this year when it comes to eyebrows and which braid is currently in vogue. You know the difference between foundation and primer. And they are happy to explain it to us.
On the profiles of the beauty declarants, the body becomes a large canvas – and nothing is left to chance. The topics range from basic body care and dealing with minor and major “problems” to elaborate make-up and hair tutorials or dealing with cosmetic surgery.
Since 2012, Dagmar Kazakov alias Dagi Bee has been active on social media channels since 2012 and reaches her YouTube -channel reaches almost 4 million viewers. The Düsseldorf native publishes a mix of fun videos, vlogs and beauty and make-up tutorials. Her videos always give the impression that she is passing on tips to her best friend, seemingly taking her followers right into her private life, inviting them to accompany her on her “pregnancy journey” or taking video tours of her home, which is very approachable and appealing, especially for younger viewers. Dagi Bee not only sells cosmetic products but also oat milk.
The profile is a little more specific xskincare . Biology student Leon takes an in-depth look at the subject of skin care. Around 2019, Leon says he was looking for products to treat his acne – and because no one could help him, he quickly became an expert himself. Almost 1 million people now follow him and learn from him what to do for large pores, reddened skin or fall weather. Leon particularly likes to test products and “expose” less good offers while promoting his own product line.
There is plenty of color in the face at Paula Wolf . Since 2018, the “make-up artist” has been posting videos on social media in which she elaborately designs her face – sometimes with “normal” make-up, but sometimes she also transforms herself into the Grinch, a Disney character or an animal in front of the camera. 6.5 million followers watch her on YouTube alone – and are of course always offered her extensive range of products.
Very classically presented Maxim Giacomo presents make-up tutorials on his profiles: the Berliner recreates the looks of stars, explains how to draw the perfect eyebrow and tests the drugstore to find the perfect eyeshadow. Again, of course, never without warmly recommending their own products.
For children and young people in particular, there is a lot in it: On the way to adulthood, not only the body changes, but also the view of it. Young people are often in search of their own identity, also in terms of their appearance. They are more aware of beauty ideals from the media and their peer group and are looking for their own way when it comes to body care and design. How can changing skin be cared for? How do I achieve a certain look? What do I find beautiful, what not? These questions inevitably arise – and beauty influencers offer answers.
Children and young people not only receive instructions, explanations and offers on the way to their own body and self-image, but the appropriate shopping list is also provided.
When the range of tubes and jars in the bathroom suddenly explodes and a fixed place has to be set up next to the mirror for the tutorial running on the smartphone, this can sometimes seem a little disconcerting for parents. Depending on your own passion for body care, the often very colorful and sometimes somewhat shrill videos may not always be appealing to adults.
In principle, however, understanding is the order of the day: your child is looking for guidance and support as they grow up, and they will find it on channels like these. Show an interest and take a look at your child’s favorite beauty role models together. You might even learn a thing or two about skin and hair care!
At the same time, however, a certain skepticism is appropriate here. Beauty influencers strongly convey the message that beauty is the most important topic – especially for girls and young women, this can create unrealistic beauty ideals that are neither attainable nor conducive to a healthy self-image. Talk to your child about how photos and recommendations from influencers are created. Promote your child’s media skills by explaining to them how they can view such offers critically and use them consciously. Help your child to distance themselves from unrealistic ideals – and to choose the valuable tips for themselves.
In addition, much of the content on the profiles is aimed at promoting products – be it because an advertising partnership with a cosmetics company is in the background or because it is the company’s own product line. Discuss with your child that these products are not necessarily really good, but are primarily intended to secure the influencer’s income.
“Upskirting” refers to secretly taking photos under skirts. Smartphones have made this unacceptable behavior more widespread. It is not only an invasion of privacy, but also serious sexual harassment. We explain why it is important to educate children and young people about upskirting and its consequences and offer practical advice on how to deal with the issue.
The worrying phenomenon of upskirting refers to secretly photographing or filming under a person’s skirt or dress. Those affected often don’t even realize when someone is recording this particularly personal and intimate area. Smartphones are now so small and handy that very good photos can be taken at lightning speed with or without a selfie stick, even in poor light.
This inappropriate and even punishable behavior often takes place on public transport, on escalators, in shopping centers, at events or even at school. It is not only a violation of privacy, but also a blatant form of sexual harassment that has serious consequences. Similarly problematic and also punishable by law is “downblousing”, the secret photographing or filming of the neckline.
Some perpetrators only use the recordings for themselves. However, they often share the images and films on the internet, for example in messaging services or on porn platforms. In 2020, the offense of “violation of private life through image recordings” was added to the Criminal Code(Section 184k StGB), with fines or even prison sentences of up to two years.
Being photographed under the skirt or in the cleavage excludes men who dress according to classic role models. In this country, upskirting is likely to mainly affect girls, women and trans* and inter* people. Children and young people are particularly vulnerable to this as they may not fully understand what is happening or how to protect themselves from it.
Young people explore their surroundings and their own boundaries, which can lead to risky behavior. The fascination with the unknown, coupled with a lack of awareness of the consequences of their actions, can tempt young people to behave rashly.
Upskirting is not only a blatant violation of privacy, but can also have serious psychological effects on the victims. The dissemination of such images can have a lasting impact on the lives of those affected. It is essential to point out the seriousness of these actions and to emphasize their social and legal consequences.
Open communication: Talk to your child about the importance of privacy and treating others with respect. Create a space where your child can ask questions. Emphasize that no one has the right to violate your child’s personal boundaries.
Raise awareness: Explain the consequences of upskirting, not only legally, but also in terms of the emotional impact on victims. Show how such actions affect trust and security in society.
Digital responsibility: Teach your child how to use media responsibly and point out the legal consequences of inappropriate behavior. It is important that your child understands that actions online have just as real an impact as in offline life.
Build trust: Establish a relationship of trust with your child so that they can contact you if something unpleasant happens to them. Assure them that you will support them and look for solutions together.
Talk to your child: Let your child know that it is okay to confide in you and listen carefully.
Report the incident: Upskirting is a criminal offense and should be reported to the police. Encourage and support your child to do this. Upskirting violates personal rights and infringes the right to sexual self-determination. This means that no one may be turned into a sex object against their will. One law provides for a prison sentence of up to two years or a fine.
Even those who do not take photographs themselves but distribute unauthorized intimate images or make them accessible to others can be punished. Upskirting is not a piquant peccadillo, but a sexual offense.
Seek professional help: Upskirting can have an emotional impact. If necessary, seek help to help your child come to terms with the situation.
For children and young people:
For parents:
Children and young people like to play with each other and argue in the process – and that is quite normal. These conflicts do not stop at virtual space. Sometimes arguments degenerate into name-calling, hate speech or cyberbullying. What you can do as a parent on the topic of hate among gamers, we explain in this article.
Games are supposed to be fun. Gamers compete against each other in many online games. As in other competitions, there is always one team that wins and at least one that loses. Losing often triggers frustration and anger is taken out on each other. In the process, there are also times when insults are used.
In the process, the difference between fun and seriousness is not always clearly discernible. Rough language, so-called trashtalk, is the order of the day in the gaming scene. However, this gaming language is usually not taken as a personal insult, but determines the tone of conversation. In some conflicts, however, players cross red lines and utter racist or sexist insults, for example. This is called hate speech and is a form of digital violence. This is about the targeted discrimination of people on the net based on one of their characteristics such as gender, skin color, origin or sexual orientation.
One particular feature fosters hatred among gamers: In online spaces, we do not face each other personally. Therefore, it is not easy to recognize how statements from the other person are meant and how one’s own statements are received. Also, things are said thoughtlessly that one would not say to others’ faces. Real people hide behind nicknames, but the anonymity of the Internet sometimes makes you forget that.
Accompany your child in the event of cyberbullying. When children argue, they are often sad afterwards and feel misunderstood. It doesn’t matter whether the conflict takes place online or in real life. After all, the emotions involved are always real. If your child is sad and opens up to you, take your child’s feelings seriously. Answers like “But it’s just a game!” or “Don’t play it if you’re always going to be mad afterwards.” are not conducive to this. Show understanding and offer your child support: “I’m here for you. Let’s figure out what to do together”. If these events happen again, talk to your child about what he or she can change. However, wait until the anger has passed for the moment.
Ask if your child feels offended by the culture of communication among gamers themselves. Make your child strong against haters and trolls and show them how to fight back online. Educate your child about how to deal with digital violence and point them to help sites like juuuport or Hate Aid. If your child encounters hate and incitement in games, report the account together. It is important for the community of the game that harmful players are reported. Thus, the developer studios can take action and block accounts or exclude them from participating in the chat. Find out what games your child plays and check if there is an option to child-proof the game. For example, individual players can be muted so that your child is no longer a repeated target of nasty hostility.
If you observe your child using violent language yourself, talk to your child in a quiet moment about communication in Games. Clarify which insults are discriminatory and make it clear where you stand on them. Be a role model in your own expression, whether online or offline, and show understanding and interest in your child’s play worlds.
Computers have revolutionized our world. They open up unimagined possibilities, also for the world of games. As early as 1961, student Steve Russel developed the world’s first computer game: Spacewar! In 1972, the most famous video game ever followed: Pong, by Nolan Bushnell. A lot has happened since then: technology has evolved, the Internet has made gaming in online spaces possible.
What online games do children and young people play today? The gaming platform Steam shows that shooters, MMORPG, survival games, battle royals and sports games were played particularly frequently in 2022. These types of games are also trendy among young people. We present you these five popular genres of online games.
The word shooter comes from English (to shoot = to shoot) and refers to games in which the main objective is to eliminate opposing parties using firearms. In all shooters, the focus is on protecting your own threatened character. Team play, quick reactions and tactics are required. Shooters are often linked with an exciting game story and they come in countless variations. From highly tactical like Counter-Strike or Valorant to fast action like in Call of Duty there is a wide variety of games with different objectives. In first-person shooters, players control their character from a first-person perspective. We described whether first-person shooters promote violent behavior here.
MMORPG stands for “Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game” and combines elements of role-playing games with online worlds. The most famous representatives of the genre are Lost Ark World of Warcraft, Guild Wars 2, Final Fantasy XIV and Black Desert Online. The players slip into the role of a self-created character. You play with others and complete tasks (often called “quests” in these games). The focus of the individual games is very different. While players in World of Warcraft often team up with others to defeat dangerous enemies, in Guild Wars 2 players often fight each other in epic mass battles to capture and expand strongholds.
Besides tasks, MMORPG games offer a variety of other possibilities. Characters can learn a profession and earn gold or other currency with it. From the skilled cook to the blacksmith and the tanner to the jeweler, everything is there. In-character role-playing, in which players meet and interact with each other in character, is also common and offers similar incentives to improvisational theater.
Survival Games (Engl. “survive” = survive), such as for example ARK: Survival Evolved, The Forest, Rust or Minecraft attract with a very exciting gameplay, in which players start with a minimum of equipment and can build new items and even houses by collecting resources like wood, ores and co.
Depending on the game, players can explore technologies, travel an exciting but often dangerous world, and craft items. Most games can be played online together with others. Other game ends become either allies or opponents, with whom you either cooperate or fight for resources.
Battle Royale is the title of the first book written by Japanese author Koushun Takami in 1999. In the book, a school class is abandoned on an island and must survive there. However, only one person may remain. The successful book series The Tribute to Panem also works with a similar concept.
When the game PUBG: Battlegrounds was released in March 2017, it immediately raced to the top of the Steam charts. Soon other developers followed and tried to reinvent the genre. Fortnite , Paladins and Minecraft mods wrote success stories that continue to this day.
The game principle follows the novel templates: 100 players are let loose into a world and fight to be the last one left. You’ll start without equipment and you’ll have to find important resources in the game world to succeed and prevail. The playing field is constantly shrinking, which leads to the fact that game players inevitably have to meet and defeat each other. Things often get heated in the process, as we have already described in this article.
Another genre that has become indispensable are sports games. Fifa has been thrilling gamers of all ages for almost 30 years now.
Racing games like Formula 1, Dirt and Forza also inspire with a fast-paced gaming experience and realistic graphics. As in other sports, the primary attraction here is to compete with others. Traditional sports clubs have meanwhile eSports -teams, which also compete in sports games and tournaments.
The popular game genres are undergoing constant change, A good overview of current genres is provided by the USK’s encyclopedia.
No matter what genre is played, the focus is always on having fun. Your child needs the balance to the stressful school or training day and uses gaming to relax and entertain. Computer games are a great way to do something with friends, even if they live far away.
Stay interested and learn about age ratings and appropriate games for your child. If you feel your child is playing too much, talk openly about it and try to agree on rules together.
