Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube or TikTok – the internet is not a legal vacuum. Anyone who uses social networks or messengers should know the basic rules. This applies to adults as well as children and young people. As a parent, you can help your child to use photos, videos, texts and personal data responsibly. And also set a good example yourself.
From the very first steps online, it is important to introduce children to Instagram and how to handle personal data. Vivid comparisons help: Does your child not want personal details or secrets to be shared in class? The same applies online.
Advise your child to check whether the information is really necessary before sharing it. This includes name, telephone number, address, date of birth, photos, videos, messenger IDs, location data or passwords. Personal data of others may also only be shared with their consent.
Also take a look at app permissions together. Not every app needs access to location, contacts, microphone or camera. Check the settings when you first start the device and regularly after updates.
Parents should also reflect on their own online behavior. Sharing children’s photos or information (“sharenting”) can have long-term consequences, for example through AI-generated deepfakes. Children have a right to privacy, even from their parents.
On platforms such as YouTube, TikTok or Instagram, there is a lot of content that has been uploaded but not created by the user. This includes music, films, series, texts, images, graphics and computer games. These works are protected by copyright and may only be shared publicly with the consent of the copyright holder.
It becomes problematic, for example, if a dance video with a protected music title is uploaded or a picture of a well-known sportswoman is used as a profile picture. Screenshots, memes or short video clips can also be relevant under copyright law. Infringements can result in fines of up to 500,000 euros or account suspensions.
There is content with free licenses, for example under Creative Commons(CC) licenses, which may be used and shared depending on the license. The name, license link and changes must be specified. In addition, photos and videos are now often edited with filters or AI tools. Rights and personal rights remain intact; an image does not automatically become “free to use” just because it has been technically modified.
The right to one’s own image is part of personal rights and applies to all people, including children. Photos or videos may only be published or passed on if the person depicted has given their consent. In the case of underage children, the parents generally decide. However, as they get older, children should be involved in an age-appropriate manner and be able to participate in decision-making. This applies to public posts as well as messenger messages.
This is often underestimated, especially in class or group chats. Screenshots or forwarding without consent are legally problematic, even if they are only shared with friends. As children get older, they should decide for themselves what content to share. Agree clear rules with family and friends and check the privacy settings of the apps. Messengers are not a legal vacuum.
In recent years, platforms have been more heavily regulated, for example by the Digital Services Act (DSA, fully implemented since 2024) or the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Providers must take risks for minors into account: no personalized advertising, age-appropriate algorithms, rapid reporting of harmful content and uniform complaints procedures.
Nevertheless, responsibility remains in everyday family life. Instagram, privacy settings and a conscious approach to content cannot be completely outsourced to platforms. Many conflicts do not arise from bad intentions, but from ignorance, peer pressure or insecurity.
Learning new things and doing homework with chatbots, playing music via voice command on smart speakers, and receiving content recommendations tailored to personal tastes—artificial intelligence (AI) is an integral part of our everyday lives. Children and young people in particular use AI tools as a matter of course, but not always consciously. AI technologies are developing rapidly and continuously. It is not easy for parents to keep track of everything: Which applications are particularly popular with young people? What opportunities, challenges, and risks arise from their use?
At the parents’ evening, we will introduce you to the most popular AI applications and look at their significance in the everyday media lives of adolescents. One focus will be on the risks for children and young people when communicating with chatbots, e.g., disinformation, inappropriate or problematic responses, and when interpersonal relationships are replaced.
Join us live, get practical tips on how to introduce your child to the safe and responsible use of (generative) AI, and ask our experts your questions—we will provide answers and are available for discussion!
The virtual parents’ evening is an event held as part of Safer Internet Day 2026 – you can find out more about the campaign day at klicksafe.
Date: February 11, 2026 | Time: 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Procedure: (Media education) input (approx. 40 minutes) followed by an open discussion
Speakers: Lidia de Reese und Nils Rudolf (FSM)
Moderation: FSM e.V.
Platform: The virtual parents’ evening is realized via the “Zoom” tool.
Privacy Notice: Zoom is a service of Zoom Video Communications Inc. which is based in the USA. We use Zoom via the German operator WTG. The WTG server is located in Europe. Furthermore, within the Zoom service we have chosen the configurations with the highest data and security protection.
Please also take note of our privacy policy.
Registration:
Children and young people encounter AI in many places today: Chatbots answer questions for homework, voice assistants help in everyday life, creative apps generate images, music or short stories. This can be exciting, inspiring and confusing at the same time. Many parents therefore ask themselves: How do I guide my child so that they use AI curiously, safely and critically without being overwhelmed? Don’t worry: you don’t have to be an AI expert to accompany your child safely.
Artificial intelligence is often surprisingly clever. It responds quickly, friendly and sometimes more convincingly than adults. However, children should understand: AI does not “know” anything. It merely calculates which answers are likely to seem correct. And that is precisely why it can make mistakes, adopt prejudices or invent content.
Many AI applications also save the data entered. Depending on the tool, more or less information can be collected. Children should therefore learn early on to handle personal information with care. It should also be clear that AI is no substitute for personal advice, teachers or parents.
The younger children are, the more guidance they need when dealing with AI. For primary school children in particular, it is important to try things out together, ask questions and scrutinize results.
Can’t find an answer to your question? Ask your personal questions about your child’s media use directly and conveniently using the messenger service via WhatsApp or Threema. You can find more information here.
In the age of social media, it is easy to gain insights into the lives of famous people – and to feel surprisingly close to them. However, what almost feels like a friendship for fans in front of their (mobile) screens is primarily a job for the creators that earns them money. We need to make children and young people in particular aware of the business model behind this supposed closeness.
For many young people, it sounds dreamy and tempting to get rich with short or longer internet videos. In reality, however, highly successful profiles usually involve a whole team, precise production planning and a sophisticated marketing strategy. This is because the content must be specifically designed and played out in such a way that it generates reach – and ultimately revenue.
Influencers earn their money in various ways:
For children and young people, ‘their’ influencers are often important role models and idols. They enjoy a high level of trust among young people, their content and statements are rarely questioned and their ‘product recommendations‘ are readily accepted.
By using the advertised products, young people feel closer to the lifestyle of the influencers and stars as well as to themselves and can thus express their own identity or affiliation.
Influencer marketing is aimed much more directly and precisely at specific target groups and has a very personal impact, which is why it has long been more important and more successful than traditional TV and radio commercials.
Advertising is not recognizedRecommendations appear personal and honest, but are often paid for. If this is not recognized, trust can be exploited.
Closeness is misunderstood: Virtual interactions – for example via live chats or gifts to influencers – can create the impression of genuine relationships that do not exist in reality. The relationship is “one-sided”, as the fans are usually an anonymous mass for the influencer in question.
Consumer pressure arises: Creators often show a lot of new products and a lifestyle full of “must-haves”. This can distort expectations, affect self-esteem and lead to financial problems.
Stay up to date and talk to your child about their consumer behavior. Influencers play an important role in guiding children and young people. Be understanding and show interest. Ask your child which creators they follow and why. Take a look at their content together and talk about what you have seen.
For many children, what their peers use and do is important. The need to belong is part of their development. Help your child set up a social media account if they want to be on these platforms, and together make sure they have privacy settings and provide truthful age information so that the platforms’ safety precautions can take effect.
Talk about how influencers earn money, how your child recognizes advertising, the strategies behind it and how good purchasing decisions can be made.
To avoid unexpected costs, we have created a checklist for you on how you can limit in-app purchases on your child’s device.
If you would like to find out more about this topic, take a look at our colleagues at klicksafe over. They describe how exactly YouTubers earn money.
The smell of cookies, shopping stress, shining children’s eyes: the holidays are approaching and digital devices and games are on the wish lists of many children and young people. What should parents consider before and after giving a gift? Between the years and during the vacations, there is also time for shared family media experiences. How can this be designed in a safe, age-appropriate and even creative way? In this article, we give you an overview of offers from the Elternguide.online partner network.
The Christmas vacations can be long, especially when the weather outside doesn’t really invite you to play. If you have devices such as smartphones, tablets, cameras or a laptop at home – how about you and your child just get started? You can take photos or film together, try out new creative apps and actively organize media time. It’s great fun and your child will also learn something about media skills along the way.
On the website kinder.jff.de there are suggestions for simple media projects that children aged 3 and over can do at home with the support of you as parents. This is helped by child-friendly video instructions in which the implementation of the media projects is shown step by step. How about a photo memory with Christmas tree decorations or an audio story about Christmas traditions?
knipsclub offers a safe environment for young photo fans between the ages of 8 and 12 to try out their skills in a closed and pedagogically supervised photo community and exchange photos with each other. On the website you will find creative photo tips, for example on
You are probably familiar with challenges from social media, e.g. dance challenges on TikTok. Children and young people love to take on challenges. Challenges don’t necessarily only have to take place on the Internet, you can also play them at home with your family! Why not try out the top photo challenge, the clip challenge or the re-enactment challenge? We have made a few suggestions in our parents’ guide article. You can find more Advent challenges on the website of the JFF project webhelm.de.
Children have many questions and learn early on that their questions will be answered on the Internet. How is Christmas celebrated in other countries? What craft tips and baking recipes are there for Christmas? The children’s search engine fragFINN offers children access to around 3,400 verified websites, including almost 400 children’s sites. Primary school children can gain their first Internet experience here in a protected surfing room and learn how to use search engines and search results. In the fragFINN Advent calendar, children can open a little door every day, behind which are links to other children’s sites with a wide range of information and offers suitable for the winter season. You can find more playful learning pages in this parents’ guide article.
Your child probably also likes watching videos and going to the movies. A TV evening together can be a really nice family experience. Pay attention to the FSK age rating to protect your child from unsuitable content. But be careful: FSK ratings are
Parents must decide individually when their child is ready for their first smartphone, depending on their level of development and experience. After all, a smartphone theoretically opens up the whole world of the Internet to your child, with all its opportunities and risks. klicksafe offers comprehensive information for parents. Use the smartphone readiness checklist to check whether a smartphone is ready to go under the Christmas tree. Has the decision been positive? Then find out about the technical setting options and set up your smartphone to be childproof. You can find all information material from klicksafe in this topic special.
Would you like to prepare your child for the first smartphone under the Christmas tree? Child-friendly information on the first smartphone is available in the children’s magazine Genial Digital from Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk. The fragFINN app gives your child a protected surfing space on their first smartphone and gives them access to quality, positive content.
Are you considering buying a smartwatch as an alternative? Then take a look at this topic from klicksafe. Please note: technical protective measures are no substitute for family discussions and media rules. Stay in contact with your child and accompany them as they take their first steps with a smartwatch or smartphone.
In addition to discussions and media rules, technical youth media protection is an important component of media education. Use the screen time and digital wellbeing settings on smartphones to set time limits for the entire device or for different apps and to filter content. The parental control program JusProg offers a precise filtering option for websites and safe default settings for mobile devices and laptops. Google Family Link and YouTube Kids offer the opportunity to make media experiences safer for your child in the world of the internet giant Google. Social media apps such as Instagram and TikTok also offer safety features and parental guidance options. Streaming with the family can be a fun activity during the vacations. Almost all streaming services have certified offers for the protection of minors. Use your own child profiles and the parental control function with the PIN. Many of the youth protection programs have been approved by the expert commission of the Voluntary Self-Regulation of Multimedia Service Providers (FSM). You can find out more about technical solutions for the protection of minors in the media on the FSM website.
Detailed instructions for all devices can be found on the website medien-kindersicher.de.
Which games should I give my child for Christmas? Are games okay for preschoolers? In the family section of the USK website and via the USK brochures, you will find all the information you need on the USK’s age ratings, the additional information and how to deal with the subject of games in the family.
The USK mark indicates the age at which a game does not cause any developmental impairments. The additional information such as “fantasy violence” or “pressure to act” gives parents a good indication of whether a game is suitable for their own child. Educational assessments of games can be found at the NRW games guide. Descriptions of popular games like Fortnite, Minecraft or Roblox are available on Elternguide.online. The USK lexicon explains the most important terms, devices and genres.
Would you like to make your child happy with a game for Christmas? Find out about the distribution channels for games and technical precautionary measures. Various settings for the protection of minors can be made on consoles as well as in game stores and the games themselves. Play together with your child and ask them interesting questions about their favorite games.
The team at Elternguide.online wishes you and your family a wonderful Christmas season and lots of fun using media safely and creatively!
The JIM study (Youth, Information, Media) provides insights into the media use of young people (aged 12 to 19) in Germany. It is conducted annually by the Media Education Research Association Southwest. Here we summarize the most important results so that parents can better support their children.
Almost all young people (98%) own a smartphone that they use every day. On average, they spend around four hours a day on the device, with older young people spending over four and a half hours. It is not only the duration that is decisive, but also the type of content that young people consume. This usage time includes both school work and leisure activities. From the age of 16 in particular, many use their smartphone almost continuously. Even if they are aware of how important it is to take breaks, many find it difficult to regulate their use independently.
Social media platforms and messengers remain the most important channels for communicating, finding information and organizing everyday life.
For the first time, the 2025 study focuses on the topic of artificial intelligence (AI): 91% of young people use at least one AI tool.
Even younger teenagers use AI regularly. Parents should therefore
The study also shows that many young people have negative experiences: Around a quarter are aware of cases of bullying in their environment, while 9 percent have been affected themselves. The
In addition to this overview, we also recommend the miniKIM study on media use by young children and the KIM Study 2022 for younger children.
Further detailed information on the JIM Study 2025 can be found on the website of the Medienpädagogischer Forschungsverbund Südwest and at Handysektor.
What words did you use when you were younger – and what did your parents think? Think about it. It is perfectly normal that you sometimes do not understand your child because they use words that you do not know or use.
Our language is shaped by the adult world. Adolescents have a strong need to form their own identity, to become independent and to distinguish themselves from adults. This is also expressed in the so-called youth language with which they create their own world. With their own language, or at least their own terms, they create something of their own and typical of youth. This connects and creates self-confidence. Using the “outdated” slang of the parents would sound old-fashioned and uncool.
In each new generation, in certain youth scenes and even in different places, youth language changes and there are different words and expressions. Typically, young people speak more easily than adults. In doing so, they sometimes use unusual or unfamiliar terms. The language is less “correct” because young people speak more spontaneously. Instead, it transports much more feelings and moods.
Online communication also has a strong influence on how young people speak or write. In messenger chat, for example, emojis, GIFs, stickers and memes are used. The language is significantly abbreviated and often incorrect. Terms from the
Check out your knowledge around your child’s language. The following words will be particularly popular in 2025. At the end of the post you will find the resolution.
So there is no serious reason to worry if you sometimes do not understand your child. Respect the desire for boundaries and generally be understanding if your child uses different words than you do. But that doesn’t mean you have to let him tell you everything. Especially if the language is indecent, hurtful or offensive. Tell your child. Make it clear to them why they should not speak to others in the same way and, if necessary, agree on rules for dealing with each other. The use of youth language can also be problematic in online communication, for example in trash talk in online games or cyberbullying. Talk to your child about respectful behavior online. The same rules that apply offline for fair and respectful interaction should also be observed online: Fairness, openness and respect.
You are and will remain the adult from whom your child wishes to distinguish him or herself. Therefore, do not try to approach linguistically. This is more likely to be perceived by your child as an invasion of his or her privacy. Speak the way you always do. Nevertheless, you can occasionally enjoy your child’s imaginative word creations and ask if you don’t understand something!
Resolutions:
Whether dance trends, comedy or small everyday moments – TikTok inspires young people worldwide. The platform invites them to get creative, try out new things and get in touch with others. For many young people, it has long been more than just entertainment – it is part of their everyday lives.
TikTok combines social media and video app. Users choose from a library of well-known songs, audio or film quotes, film playback or create their own clips. The videos usually only last a few seconds to minutes, but clips of up to ten minutes are now also possible. Some videos trigger hype, are imitated or continued as challenges.
Public videos can be viewed via the browser, an account is required for your own uploads. TikTok offers many additional functions: Duets (filming together), stitches (sharing clips from others), live streams and the TikTok Shop. Companies and influencers also use the platform for advertising.
Young people appreciate TikTok for fun, sharing and self-presentation. The app is low-threshold: with effects, a music library and simple editing options, you can quickly create your own videos. Unlike Instagram or YouTube, it is less about perfection and more about creativity and everyday life. The videos appear authentic and TikTokers are often perceived as approachable role models.
TikTok motivates young users to realize their own ideas: Dance moves, comedy, experiments, tutorials or role-playing games. Many learn how to plan content, develop small storyboards and combine music with visual effects.
TikTok is continuously developing its security functions:
Despite these measures, the feed remains algorithm-controlled. Content can be filtered, e.g. videos from people with disabilities or those that are censored in individual countries. The app’s endless loops can also lead to heavy usage pressure.
Clarify motivation: Ask your child why they want to use TikTok – entertainment, creativity or sharing? Explain that likes, followers and comments can influence self-perception.
Step-by-step introduction: Start by exploring the app together via the browser, without an account. If you set it up together later, make sure you enter the year of birth correctly – this is the only way to ensure that the safety functions relevant to the protection of minors work. Check the settings step by step: privacy, comments, time limits.
Use security functions: Enable accompanied mode, private accounts, restricted comments and content filters. Deactivate livestreams, duets and stitches under the age of 16. The step-by-step instructions on medien-kindersicher.de will help you to set up all the important settings correctly.
Rules for private messagesDefine together who is allowed to send DMs or voice messages. Deactivate this function completely if required. Only allow group chats with known people.
Protect your privacyExplain never to share personal data such as name, school or address. Show how faces can be covered with stickers or backgrounds. Point out possible biometric data collection through filters.
Time management and balance: Agree fixed screen times, plan breaks and encourage activities outside the app. Actively accompany your child instead of just controlling them.
Reflective approach to content: Discuss advertising, filters, influencers and trends. Show how content is reported or blocked. Use the restart function to critically scrutinize recommendations.
Encourage communication: Encourage your child to report cyberbullying or harassment. Practise reporting and blocking together. Talk about respectful commenting and digital empathy. More information can be found in TikTok’s guide for parents (in cooperation with the FSM).
Strengthen critical thinking: Explain how algorithms work, what opportunities there are to earn money and how content can have a manipulative effect. This teaches your child to examine information critically.
Accompany instead of monitor: occasionally watch videos together, reflect on the rules and adjust them if necessary. Trust is the most important basis.
Of course, you know your child’s friends from school or the sports club. But what about acquaintances with whom your child has contact only via the Internet? Whether online gaming, in video chats or via social media – wherever children and young people communicate with each other, they can come into contact with people who have negative intentions. According to the JIM Study 2024, almost a third of the 12-19-year-olds surveyed had experienced sexual harassment online.
Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok or Discord, which children and young people like to use, also attract users with paedocriminal tendencies. This is criminal behavior directed against minors. Adults approach children with the aim of sexually harassing or even abusing them. This targeted approach online is called cybergrooming.
The strategies are varied – but they are always aimed at gaining the trust of children and young people and gaining control over communication.
A clear warning signal is if the stranger wants to move the chat to a private messenger such as WhatsApp or Telegram – because nobody can read it there. This chat should remain secret at all costs. In such private conversations, trust is built up that can later be exploited. This is often followed by a request for intimate photos or videos. These can then be used for
You can find out more about this problematic phenomenon in this video from the Kinderschutzbund:
You can find more tips on how to protect your child from sexual violence on social networks here.
Children and young people are particularly curious. Therefore, they sometimes forget all warnings and can fall into a trap. Make it absolutely clear to your child that even in such cases, the perpetrator is solely to blame. Cybergrooming – even attempts – are punishable in Germany. If your child is sexually harassed, be there for your child and do not blame him or her. Report the perpetrators on the respective platform or to reporting centers. Secure evidence by taking screenshots of the chat history and profile and make sure you report it to the police! But be careful with depictions of abuse of children and young people. It is a criminal offense to possess them. The Internet Complaints Office has summarized information on dealing with depictions of abuse online in this PDF. You can find more information on this topic in this article.
Children and young people can find help, advice and information here:
The following contact points are available for parents:
You can find more digital advice for children, young people and parents here.
Having their own tablet can be exciting for children: playing games, reading books, getting creative or using educational apps. However, many parents ask themselves: when is it worth giving them their own device – and when is the family tablet enough?
A shared tablet makes sense in the early years. Your child can try out content while you accompany, explain and restrict what they see and do. One family device is often enough to gain initial experience with apps, videos or games and to reflect on media use together.
It makes sense for your child to have their own tablet if they want to use media independently on a regular basis, pursue their own interests or use learning apps that require personal accounts. For children from around 6 to 7 years of age, having their own device can be useful if you clearly regulate and supervise their use.
It’s not age that matters, but your child’s maturity: Can they follow rules? Do you know how to surf the net safely? Can it reflect on content and distinguish between games, learning, and entertainment? Only when these skills are in place is it worthwhile to purchase your own device.
A tablet for children should be robust, intuitive to use and not too expensive. Simple devices with a sturdy casing and a child-friendly interface are good entry-level options. Check whether educational apps, audio books or creative tools are useful and whether in-app purchases and advertising can be deactivated.
Whether it’s a family device or your own, set usage times, content, and rules together. Parental Controls, family accounts, and youth protection apps help to control media use. Discuss together: How long should your child be allowed to use the tablet? What content is permitted?
Having your own tablet can promote digital independence if you provide guidance: explain functions, try out learning apps together, and talk critically about advertising, algorithms and content. This will teach your child to use media consciously and reflectively.
Can’t find an answer to your question? Ask your personal questions about your child’s media use directly and conveniently using the messenger service via WhatsApp or Threema. You can find more information here.
It can happen that children or young people come across content online that depicts violence. When scrolling through social media, on video platforms or when such videos are shared in group chats in Messenger. This may involve fights, abuse, accidents or drastic images from war zones. Such content can frighten and disturb children or young people. It also violates the right to one’s own image of the person concerned and may even be punishable by law.
Under no circumstances should such content be redistributed. This prevents even more people from seeing the content. If the content is illegal, publishing and redistributing it can even have criminal consequences.
We can also encourage young people to do even more by not ignoring such content, but actively reporting it. Look together to see where the report function can be found on the platforms used, such as Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok or YouTube. According to the terms of use, violent and cruel content is not permitted and should be deleted. Messages or people can also be reported on WhatsApp.
The online advice platform for young people Juuuport even offers a separate reporting option for young people, e.g. for violent videos, extremism or hate speech. The internet complaints offices FSM, eco and jugendschutz.net then take care of these complaints.
Violence also plays a role in fictional media content, such as films, series or games. Content that is easy for older children, teenagers and adults to process can frighten young children. This is why there are age restrictions for depictions of violence in the media, which are regulated by the protection of minors in the media. The age labels of films or computer games show you as parents from what age the content shown is suitable.
However, children and young people can also come across real depictions of violence online. An experience report from Juuuport clearly shows how differently young people deal with violent videos online and can make it easier for you to start the conversation.
Talk to your child about possible negative experiences online. Show them the reporting and blocking functions on the relevant platforms and discuss how algorithms select content. Also explain how to ‘maintain’ or reset this content to keep your child’s online experience safer and healthier. Talk about what it means when photos or videos have a ‘sensitive content warning’ and what your child should do if this happens. Also find out about the legal regulations for the protection of minors in the media and about technical protection options via apps and settings for your child on devices or in individual services.
Can’t find an answer to your question? Ask your personal questions about your child’s media use directly and conveniently using the messenger service via WhatsApp or Threema. You can find more information here.
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.
Does this sound familiar to you? You’ve done a lot of reading, had lengthy discussions, installed elaborate parental control programs on your children’s devices – only to find that YouTube is still on all night long. This is because the tricks for circumventing FamilyLink and the like sometimes spread faster than head lice in the school playground and online. And leave us parents rather perplexed.
FamilyLink or Apple parental controls, JusProg or Kidgonet – when children start to use media independently, parents often worry a lot about usage times and safety. The solution is often technical restrictions such as parental control apps that set time limits or filter content. However, after a while it often turns out that although the apps and settings allow you as parents to sleep peacefully, they are hardly an obstacle for your child to surf as they please. They reinstall apps or open a browser that cannot be recognized, click on links and detours to YouTube or simply change the time or time zone on the device. Some children even install VPN services, use camouflage apps or create guest accounts on their devices to hide themselves from the unpopular parental control settings.
This raises many questions for parents. How good are child protection programs really? How can rules be enforced? And above all: how can children be well protected when using media if the apps can be bypassed?
For children, bypassing the parental control settings is of course a challenge and almost a sport. Anyone who has been annoyed a few times that screen time has ended at the worst possible moment may be looking for ideas to trick them. And children and young people are quick to find them. The internet, especially YouTube, is full of ideas and instructions on how to circumvent and trick the limits, locks and settings.
Many of these “detours” can be prevented by you as parents by making the settings of the parental control programs more rigorous or by allowing less creative freedom on the child’s device. For example, you can assign admin rights so that your child cannot download or install anything without your consent. You can assign parental PINs to many devices and accounts so that only you can change the settings. There are now also tested and very secure parental control settings for games consoles, which you can use to set the usage rights and times so that there is little scope for ‘detours’. For example, the USK has tested the parental control programs for the Xbox and Switch and found them to be suitable and safe.
Not only games, apps and devices can be secured, you can also set up your router to be childproof – and much more. You can find step-by-step instructions at medien-kindersicher.de.
But of course, youth protection should not be a race for technical possibilities. It is better to take a two-pronged approach to media education. Youth media protection solutions are still a useful tool for protecting children from difficult or dangerous content. However, families should never rely solely on technical filters. And not just because no filter can guarantee one hundred percent protection. Children grow into media worlds and they not only need to be protected from excessive demands at a young age, but above all they need to learn how to use them well and competently.
It is therefore much more important to accompany children in their media use than to install restrictions:
If your child uses media in a reflective, competent manner and with trustworthy parents at their side, the question of whether app restrictions need to be circumvented secretly may even be a thing of the past. You can find more tips for everyday family life with parental control apps in this article.
Many parents ask themselves this question at the beginning of the vacation weeks. The answer is not so easy to give. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Appropriate screen time depends on your child’s age, stage of development and needs – so it’s an individual decision. Talking to other parents can help, but no two children and families are the same and media rules can vary accordingly.
Set rules for screen and media time depending on what media your child uses and how well they can handle it.
Shared media use and conversations about the experiences will help you to assess this well. The form of use should also play a role: So how does your child spend their time? Are they finding out about a topic that is currently of particular interest to them? Are they playing games, watching series or endlessly scrolling through social media feeds? Are they alone?
Media offer us the opportunity to inform ourselves, to be inspired, to interact with others, to distract ourselves from our hectic everyday lives – but they can also stress us out or even burden us. Especially during the vacations, it can be good to take a break from the often packed and tightly structured daily routine of school, sports clubs or music lessons. Using media can help your child relax and stay in touch with friends. However, a balance is important, such as playing indoors and outdoors, sports, arts and crafts or spending time with friends and family.
Media rules are more likely to be accepted if they are made together with your child. Talk together about what media and content your child uses, when, how and why. Also think about your own media use, as parents act as role models. Establish common media rules for the whole family. Deviations during the vacations or at weekends are okay! Rules must fit your child’s development and needs as well as your everyday family life so that they can be adhered to.
You can find out more about media rules and screen time in these Elternguide.online articles and videos:
https://www.elternguide.online/regeln-fuer-die-mediennutzung-in-der-familie/
https://www.elternguide.online/medienregeln-fuer-schulkinder/
https://www.elternguide.online/der-staendige-streit-um-medienzeiten-ab-wann-ist-es-zu-viel/
https://www.elternguide.online/wann-ist-viel-zu-viel-zwischen-sucht-und-extremer-mediennutzung/
Can’t find an answer to your question? Ask your personal questions about your child’s media use directly and conveniently using the messenger service via WhatsApp or Threema. You can find more information here.
Your child’s first smartphone is an important milestone in their life. Parents ask themselves many questions beforehand: When is the right time for the first smartphone? Which device is suitable and what else needs to be considered?
There is no universal rule that recommends a certain age as appropriate for the first smartphone. The move to secondary school is often taken as an opportunity to equip children with their first smartphone. As parents, you know best whether your child is ready for a smartphone. Your child’s maturity, skills and media experience are more important than whether they have reached a certain age. This checklist from klicksafe can help you decide.
It is a good idea to buy a smartphone with a sturdy case and/or protective cover to get started. A device with intuitive, simple operation makes sense. This way, your child will quickly understand the smartphone’s functions and find it easier to use. It doesn’t have to be the latest and most expensive model; a solid, used model is suitable for beginners. It is advisable to keep an eye on price and performance.
Not all smartphone functions and apps are suitable for young users. A device with options for parental controls and family sharing, such as screen time and app restrictions, is therefore recommended. Select age-appropriate apps and adjust the app settings. Regular updates and secure, up-to-date software are also important. You should also be familiar with the device. This way, you can be a reliable contact person for your child and provide reassurance. Test the smartphone together with your child to make sure it is suitable. Accompany your child as they take their first steps and explain the potential risks to them.
You can find out more about your first smartphone here.
Ask your personal questions about your child’s media use directly and conveniently using the messenger service via WhatsApp or Threema. You can find more information here.
