Does your child watch older siblings or friends use social media every day? Perhaps they are already interested in platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and the like? Social media apps place high demands on the media skills of young users. This is exactly where the new NYZZU app comes in: It has been specially developed for children, young people and families. It aims to offer a protected space that focuses on privacy, safety and responsible media use.
NYZZU is a social network where users can take their first steps in digital networks – age-appropriate and without overwhelming content.
Similar to other well-known platforms, users share photos and videos with their contacts. Liking and commenting on posts is also possible. Unlike other apps, NYZZU does not use algorithms. The posts in the feed appear in chronological order. This allows users to keep track of what their friends are posting and when. Content can be shared with several people in groups. There is no classic chat function.
Security and data protection have top priority at NYZZU: friendships can only be made between people who have saved each other in their address book. This protective mechanism is designed to prevent children from interacting with unwanted contacts. Personal content can be shared “privately” between two people or made visible to mutual friends. All posts can also be deleted at any time. The screenshot function is deactivated to prevent content from spreading beyond the app.
NYZZU takes on many of the functions of traditional social media and yet differs from them. The new app does not focus on the most popular or viral content, but on everyday, personal posts from normal life. A Like on NYZZU can have a greater meaning for children and young people than on other platforms, as it is less about public recognition and more about sharing with friends and family. The absence of algorithms and influencers reduces pressure and the potential for addiction.
Children and young people can use the app as a digital photo album in which they can share their experiences and memories. Adding filters and music to photos and videos makes NYZZU a creative space that is fun for children and young people.
“Respect your friendship” – it is particularly important to the founders of NYZZU to create a safe space in which friends and family members of all ages can stay in contact with each other safely. On its website, NYZZU’s code of conduct clearly opposes bullying, discrimination and abuse. The NYZZU Codex explains potential communication risks and refers to digital counseling services.
NYZZU follows the principle of “Safety by Design”. Safety settings such as follower requests are activated by default. Inappropriate posts can be reported directly via a reporting function. The design of the website, including the terms and conditions, the codex and the privacy policy, are youth-friendly.
Children under the age of 13 require parental consent to use the app. When registering, the parents’ e-mail address must be provided and the registration confirmed via a link. NYZZU is part of the Seitenstark network as a high-quality and child-friendly online service.
If your child will soon be getting their first smartphone, NYZZU could be a suitable app to get them started. Register together with your child and set rules for use together. Make sure that no sensitive or personal data is shared when creating the profile.
Show your child where they can find safety functions such as the reporting function and how they can use them. Also talk to your child about challenges such as communication risks like hate speech. Educate your child about privacy online and make them understand which personal data they should not share.
To ensure that your child can actively use NYZZU, it is advisable to talk about the app with friends, family and other parents. Although other social media apps are also very popular, you can lead by example and try out alternative apps like NYZZU together with your child. And if you like it: invite others to join in!
Social media and messenger apps such as Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp and Snapchat are particularly popular with young people. This is where they post articles, network and discuss topics that concern them. Of course, not everyone always agrees on every topic. Just like in real life, conflicts, discussions and misunderstandings also occur between young people on the internet. Most of the time, this is harmless and there is no need for you as parents to worry. However, the internet also brings new challenges: Some discussions can get out of hand and turn into deliberate hostility or hate speech.
The internet can help to lower the inhibition thresholds for insults, hatred and discrimination. Many people are quicker to write derogatory or hurtful things online that they would never say in person. Protected by anonymity and distance, they often forget that there are real people on the other side.
Hate speech can take many forms. It is often directed against entire groups – such as people with a different skin color, religion, sexual orientation or origin.
Typical characteristics of hate speech are: derogatory language or insults, calls for exclusion or violence or the spread of misanthropic ideologies.
While cyberbullying usually targets a specific person, hate speech often affects entire population groups.
Important to know: Hate comments can not only be offensive, but also punishable by law. No-hate-speech.de explains clearly which forms of hate speech can violate the law.
Not every hate message online is immediately recognizable. Extremist groups often use so-called secret signs and terms that appear harmless to outsiders but send clear messages in certain circles.
Dog whistling means sending a message that only insiders can understand – just as a dog whistle can only be heard by dogs. On the internet, dog whistling is used to spread radical or extremist content without openly violating platform rules or laws. This makes it harder to immediately recognize hate and hate speech.
Watch out for unusual terms, emojis or hashtags popping up. Typical examples are:
You can find more examples in the article “Geheime Codes von Rechtsextremen online” (Campact) or in the YouTube video “Dog Whistling erklärt” (Berliner Register).
Of course, there doesn’t have to be malicious intent behind every unusual symbol. Nevertheless, it is worth taking a closer look at strange symbols or terms together with young people and asking questions.
Talk about hate speech. Talk to your child about online discrimination and its consequences. Young people often close themselves off if they are affected themselves and are insulted or hostile online. If it is common practice in your home to talk openly about everything, your child will be more likely to turn to you in confidence if the worst comes to the worst. Topics for discussion could be What is respectful behavior? How does hate speech feel for those affected? How can you defend yourself against hate online?
Important: The same rules should apply online as in real life – fairness, openness and appreciation.
Offer support. Let your child know that they are not alone when they experience hate online. Listen and take your child seriously.
Save evidence by taking screenshots of offensive comments or messages. Many platforms have functions for reporting hate messages – either directly in the app or via special contact points that deal with problematic content online. If necessary, advice centers or online portals can help.
Take an active stand against hate. Hate online should not simply be accepted. Young people can learn: to support those affected by making friendly comments, to report hate messages and to take a stand with respectful counter-speech (without putting themselves at risk). Projects such as #NichtEgal help young people to show civil courage online and promote a positive culture of discussion.
Clothing, leisure items, school supplies … shopping is often done online these days. Young people in particular like to use Shein and Temu, for example. The stores entice shoppers with very low prices, high discounts and targeted advertising – especially on social media. But caution is advised.
For a long time, Amazon was the undisputed largest online retailer. However, other platforms have become increasingly present in recent years. They are called Temu, Shein, AliExpress or Wish, are often based in Asian countries and combine extremely low prices with a strikingly aggressive advertising strategy. The two largest and best-known providers are Shein and Temu:
AliExpress and Wish also have similar offers and strategies – with comparable risks.
The platforms work with superlatives: they have extremely large product ranges that are changing rapidly. They offer very low prices and very high discounts – and they advertise louder, more aggressively and more pointedly than all other providers.
Children and young people can hardly avoid the platforms: they are shown personalized ads on social media, but influencers also frequently advertise online marketplaces. In this way, the platforms turn themselves into online trends and become attractive to young shoppers.
The seemingly unbelievable offers come at a price:
If your child shops on these platforms, it is important that you take a close look together beforehand: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of such platforms. Consider together to what extent and for which products it makes sense to use them. And discuss how you can make the purchase as secure as possible: Many platforms require payment in advance – but the risk can be reduced by making sure you use secure payment methods such as buyer protection (e.g. with PayPal or credit cards). Also take a look at your cell phone settings: Only give the app the most necessary authorizations. For example, shopping providers do not need to know your location and push notifications can be deactivated.
Also question advertising on social media together: What is a genuine recommendation and what is paid advertising (sponsorship)? If your child shows interest in a product, don’t just look at the price, but also compare the quality from other suppliers. This will help you avoid disappointment or duplicate purchases.
Even better: look for sustainable, trustworthy and affordable alternatives to marketplaces together. Second-hand suppliers, for example, often also have a large selection of products at reasonable prices – and with far fewer catches.
Tip: Use this topic to talk to your child about values when shopping: Do clothes always have to be new? What is important to me – price, style, quality, environment? How much do I really need? Such conversations help young people to critically question consumption and make good decisions.
Egal ob witzige Tierbilder mit Sprechblasen, verfremdete Pressefotos oder neu interpretierte Szenen aus Filmen und Serien – Memes sind heutzutage überall im Internet zu finden. Memes werden durch das Teilen in sozialen Netzwerken schnell sehr bekannt und sind auch bei Kindern und Jugendlichen beliebt. Sie spiegeln Humor und Gruppenzugehörigkeit wider, können aber auch problematische Inhalte transportieren und verbreiten.
Ein Bild, ein Video oder ein Filmausschnitt wird dann zum Meme, wenn es aus seinem ursprünglichen Kontext gerissen und mit einem neuen, oft humorvollen Text versehen wird. Besonders lustig sind Memes, wenn man das Original kennt – denn der Witz entsteht meist aus der überraschenden Kombination von Bekanntem und Neuem. Der Text ist dabei häufig ironisch gemeint.
Hinter Memes steckt oft eine kreative Idee, die immer wieder neu interpretiert wird und sich stetig weiterentwickelt. Memes werden auch genutzt, um Gefühle zu zeigen oder auf aktuelle politische und gesellschaftliche Themen aufmerksam zu machen. Berühmte Persönlichkeiten wie Goethe oder Napoleon oder Figuren aus Filmen und Comics bekommen neue, zeitgemäße Aussagen in den Mund gelegt. So wird aktueller Bezug zur heutigen Wirklichkeit hergestellt.
Das Besondere an Memes ist, dass dieselben Bilder immer wieder verwendet und mit einem neuen Text versehen werden. Ein bekanntes Beispiel ist „Hide the Pain Harold“ (Deutsch: „Verbirg den Schmerz, Harold“), das diesem Artikel als Beitragsbild dient. Dieses Meme zeigt den Ungarn Arató András mit einem gequälten Lächeln und wurde zu einem der bekanntesten Reaktionsbilder im Internet.
Es gibt verschiedene Meme-Formate: Ein klassisches Beispiel ist ein Bild mit einem witzigen Spruch in großer, weißer Schrift. Andere Memes bestehen aus Screenshots von Chats, Comic-Zeichnungen oder kurzen Videoclips. Viele Memes folgen bestimmten Vorlagen oder Trends. Wer sich in der Meme-Welt auskennt, erkennt diese Muster sofort.
Für viele Jugendliche sind Memes weit mehr als bloße Unterhaltung – sie gehören fest zu ihrer (digitalen) Sprache. Mit Memes können sie Stimmungen, Gedanken oder Meinungen ausdrücken. Durch Ironie und Übertreibung lassen sich auch schwierige oder unangenehme Themen leichter ansprechen. Wer aktuelle Memes kennt oder selbst gestaltet, zeigt Zugehörigkeit zur eigenen Peer-Group.
Zudem fördern sie die Kreativität: Jugendliche probieren sich aus in Bildbearbeitung, Sprache und der Verbindung zu Trends in Social Media und Popkultur. Da Memes schnell erstellt und geteilt werden können, bieten sie eine einfache Möglichkeit, sich humorvoll und individuell mitzuteilen. Die visuelle Kommunikation ist ihnen ohnehin vertraut – Emojis, GIFs und Bilder ersetzen oft ganze Texte. Und da Kinder und Jugendliche gerne lachen und scherzen, treffen Memes genau ihre Vorlieben und verbreiten sich entsprechend schnell. Memes sind so beliebt, dass sie auch in der Offline-Welt präsent sind – zum Beispiel als Party-Kartenspiele oder Pausenhofgespräche.
Auch wenn viele Memes harmlos oder lustig wirken, können sie problematische Inhalte transportieren. Manche Memes enthalten diskriminierende, rassistische oder sexistische Aussagen, machen sich über Minderheiten lustig oder verbreiten Verschwörungstheorien und politische Propaganda. Extremistische Gruppen nutzen Memes, um ihre Ideologien zu verbreiten – gerade bei Jugendlichen, die oft nicht hinterfragen, welche Botschaft dahintersteckt.
Oft werden sie anonym erstellt und rasant weiterverbreitet – ohne Rücksicht auf Urheberrechte oder die abgebildeten Personen. Besonders kritisch wird es, wenn Menschen durch Memes bloßgestellt oder herabgewürdigt werden, etwa wegen eines sichtbaren Handicaps. Wenn sich solche Inhalte stark verbreiten, kann das für die betroffenen Personen große negative Folgen haben.
Sie müssen kein*e Meme-Expert*in sein, um Ihr Kind gut zu begleiten – ein grundlegendes Verständnis reicht aus, um im Gespräch zu bleiben. Zeigen Sie Interesse an der Mediennutzung Ihres Kindes. Fragen Sie ruhig nach: Welches Meme ist gerade angesagt? So entsteht ein offener Austausch – auch über problematische oder verletzende Inhalte.
Sprechen Sie mit Ihrem Kind über einen respektvollen Umgang miteinander im Netz, die Grenzen von Humor und mögliche Diskriminierung. Unterstützen Sie es dabei, Inhalte kritisch zu hinterfragen: Wer steckt hinter einem Meme? Welche Botschaft wird vermittelt? Welche Wirkung kann es auf andere haben? Gehen Sie dabei mit gutem Beispiel voran: reflektieren Sie Ihre eigene Online-Kommunikation kritisch und sprechen Sie mit gemeinsam mit Ihrem Kind über Ihre Erfahrungen.
Auch Menschen, die sich für eine wertschätzende Kommunikationskultur im Netz engagieren, nutzen Memes, um Hass und Extremismus etwas entgegenzusetzen – eine Sammlung solcher Memes finden Sie zum Beispiel auf dem Instagram-Profil von Gustaver der Liebe.
Wenn Sie und Ihr Kind gern Memes anschauen oder teilen, werfen Sie gemeinsam einen kritischen Blick auf die Inhalte. Oder gestalten Sie selbst kreative und lustige Memes, zum Beispiel mit dem Online-Tool Meme Generator von imgflip.com oder der App Mematic. Das macht Spaß und fördert die Medienkompetenz.
Imgflip
Whether in series and manga, in video games and social media or in the world of celebrities – young people encounter figures and characters everywhere that inspire them. Whether superheroes like Spider Man, game characters like Ahri, anime characters like Levi Ackerman or stars like Billie Eilish – teenagers regard a wide variety of media figures as their role models and look up to them.
Do you remember how enthusiastically your child told you about his favorite characters from movies and television a few years ago? From an early age, children are guided by their favorite media characters. Young people also look for role models not only in their immediate environment of family, friends or clubs, but increasingly in the media offerings they use.
Forming one’s own identity is one of the most important tasks in adolescence. Media content and characters take on important functions for young people. In this way, media role models can help people develop their own values. They can not only offer young people orientation and support, but even inspire them to try out and experiment with different identities and roles. It is character traits such as courage, honesty, loyalty, sincerity and perseverance that go down particularly well with young people. But they are also fascinated by characters who are particularly funny or original or who pursue big goals.
It is particularly important for teenagers to share information about their media idols, which creates a sense of community. Often, clothing, (youth) language or hobbies, but also media use itself, show which media role models they feel close to. Youth cultures, such as e-boys and e-girls, are popular among young people, and by belonging to such currents they also distinguish themselves from one another within their peer group.
In addition to a large number of fictional characters from films, series, games and books, real people from the media world also inspire young people. These can be celebrities from the film and music industry or social media stars. With this variety of media figures, it can happen that one loses the overview. Here are a few examples:
Parents don’t have to like their children’s media idols. Nevertheless, talk to your child about their media heroes. Ask which of their character traits your child particularly likes.
Media also feature figures who are not well suited as role models. They may model problematic behaviors or teach questionable values. Sometimes they reproduce stereotypical gender images, prejudices or clichés that result in a false or incomplete worldview. Media role models play an important role in forming political opinions, but they do not always live up to their responsibility. Young people are particularly susceptible to populism, extremism and disinformation during the orientation phase. This is especially true when such content comes from their favorite influencers. The role model function of internet stars can also become questionable in connection with advertising. For example, when popular influencers promote products, this can sometimes be done indirectly or covertly.
Talk to your child about critical behaviors and clarify stereotypes. Remain neutral and unbiased when asking questions and engage with their world of media role models. Maybe it helps if you remember your own youth and your idols. How did you feel at that time?
False reports, “fake news”, alternative facts or conspiracy myths – you hear these terms again and again when it comes to news and information on the internet. But they don’t necessarily mean the same thing. We explain the differences between the terms – and what you should look out for as a parent.
Disinformation is content that is demonstrably false or misleading – and is spread deliberately. It often appears credible at first glance because it is packaged in a story, contains individual true facts or is presented in a highly emotionalized way.
The aim of disinformation is to unsettle people, influence certain opinions or create a targeted mood – for example against individual groups or political decisions. It is often also about economic interests, for example through advertising revenue on dubious websites. Disinformation becomes particularly problematic when it undermines trust in science, the media or democratic processes. It can therefore pose a serious threat to democracy.
Especially in times of crisis, such as during the coronavirus pandemic or in connection with the war against Ukraine, disinformation plays a major role.
“Fake news” is a term that is often used in everyday life – usually as a synonym for disinformation. Literally translated, it means “fake news”.
However, the term is also deliberately used to denigrate critical reporting in serious media or to discredit political opponents.
It is therefore important to check carefully whether it really is a deliberately manipulated message – or whether the term is only being used to devalue another opinion.
Tip: When children or young people talk about “fake news”, ask what exactly they mean by this – and look at the source together.
A good introduction to the topic is the Inform” module from the Genial Digital material of the German Children’s Fund. Here, children learn in a playful way how to better assess and question information on the Internet.
False information is content that is not correct – but is passed on without intention. For example, because someone has misunderstood something or shared outdated information.
Mistakes can also occur in the media, for example in research or translation. In the past, this was sometimes called a “newspaper hoax”. It is important that such errors are corrected later.
Satire is an artistic form used to exaggerate social or political issues, for example in the heute-show, the Postillon or in memes.
Sometimes satire works with similar means as disinformation – such as exaggeration or simplification. However, it is not intended to deliberately deceive people.
The aim of satire is to criticize and make people think. Children and young people sometimes need help to classify satire correctly – talk about it together.
Propaganda means that information and messages are disseminated in a targeted manner in order to steer public opinion in a certain direction.
This can happen through language, images, music or even misinformation. Propaganda is often used in political conflicts – in the past on posters or on the radio, today also via social media and messenger services.
Conspiracy myths claim that secret groups or powers are behind major events. These stories offer simple explanations for complex relationships – without providing any scientific evidence or proof.
For example:
Such myths divide the world into “good” and “evil” – and often make certain groups responsible for everything. It becomes dangerous when they stir up hatred and mistrust or undermine faith in science and democracy.
These stories are not scientific theories, but are based on unsubstantiated claims. This is why experts deliberately refer to them as conspiracy myths or conspiracy narratives – and not as “conspiracy theories”.
TikTok is part of everyday life for many children and young people. They watch short videos, are entertained, get information or post content themselves. Many parents don’t know exactly what they are watching or posting there – and are worried. This makes it all the more important to know the app’s security settings – and to stay in touch.
With the “Accompanied Mode” (also known as “Family Pairing”), TikTok offers the option of controlling certain functions of the app on the child’s account together. These include:
Additional protective functions take effect automatically, depending on the age specified in the profile:
According to the terms of use, TikTok is permitted from the age of 13. Parental consent is required for children under the age of 16.
Tip: Children can also view TikTok in the browser without an account – so they can get started carefully without posting or commenting on content themselves.
Proceed as follows if you want to activate Accompanied mode:
You can adjust these settings
Make sure that your child gives the correct date of birth when registering. Only then will age-appropriate protective measures take effect. Check the data protection settings together and explain why a private account makes sense. Older teenagers should also consider whether they want to show their content publicly.
As a parent, you cannot directly track which videos your child is watching or who they are writing to. Messages or comments are not visible to you – so your child’s privacy is protected as far as possible. This makes mutual trust and the question: Can your child already use media consciously and safely?
Make sure you regularly discuss together whether the settings you have made are still suitable or should be adjusted. Don’t make decisions over your child’s head, but together with them. This will encourage understanding and personal responsibility. Also explain which aspects of the app you view critically and which rules apply to its use in your family.
Keep the conversation going: Ask what ‘s hot on TikTok at the moment, what your child is interested in or which influencers they find exciting. This way you stay close – and your child feels taken seriously.
Remember: TikTok collects data about usage behavior. Talk to your child about how personalized content, advertising and in-app purchases work – and consider together which data protection settings make sense.
You can find more information about TikTok here.
Whether in social media feeds, messengers or podcasts – we are flooded with countless messages, reports and stories online every day. Sometimes it is not so easy to distinguish between truth and deception. Teaching children and young people how to recognize false information on the internet is a real challenge. This article offers practical advice on this and explains how you can talk to your child about it.
Fake news spreads particularly quickly in uncertain times. We humans are already unsettled and even experts and politicians don’t have all the answers – such as during the coronavirus crisis or wars. “Fake news” deliberately spreads rumors or even hateful reports that are intended to stir up fears and deliberately deceive us. They often offer simple explanations and can give the feeling of security. But they are not true.
These fake news items are often so cleverly crafted that they appear to be legitimate news at first glance. People who believe “fake news” share it further, so that more and more people fall for it. The problem with this is that the more often such content is clicked on, the more often it is displayed – and the more people believe it to be true. This can be problematic, especially when it comes to political posts with an extremist or populist background or when conspiracy myths are spread.
Content that can unsettle or frighten younger children in particular is also problematic. Deep fake videos in particular look deceptively real. It is therefore important to understand that not all information on the Internet is true and to know the differences between disinformation, false reports and satire.
Recognizing whether it is actually disinformation or false reports can be a tricky task. Therefore, it is helpful to follow clear steps to curb the spread of disinformation:
Source verification
Check where the message came from and who wrote it. Are the authors well-known and experts on the topic? Is it a reputable website?
Fact check
Try to verify the message with different sources. Ask yourself how up-to-date the information is and check where the figures and data mentioned come from as well as the context in which they were collected.
Checking the message form
Pay attention to the way the message is presented. Is the language serious and factual, or is emotional language and excessive capitalization used? Does the article contain catchwords such as “lying press” or similar provocative terms? Could the article be meant satirically?
Verify evidence
Make sure photos and videos match the message and are up-to-date. Pay attention to captions and whether they actually represent what is being described or are from another context.
Joint fact check
Discuss news and messages together as a family. Your child should understand that not everything on the internet can be sent via WhatsApp or comes from an AI chatbot has to be true. If you check messages together, it can gradually learn to distinguish true from false. Ask for your child’s opinion and share your own thoughts. This way, you and your child can be safer and better prepared to recognize and counteract false information on the Internet.
Here are some tips on where you can check messages and how you and your child can learn how to use them in a fun way:
Children and young people are growing up in a digital world in which they come into contact with online media on a daily basis. Clear rules and effective protective measures are essential to enable them to use the internet safely. The German Association for Voluntary Self-Regulation of Digital Media Service Providers (FSM e.V.) plays a central role here. We explain how the FSM shapes youth media protection and why it is so important for parents.
The FSM is a self-regulatory body recognized by the Commission for the Protection of Minors in the Media (KJM) in the area of youth media protection. It is committed to protecting children and young people from online content that is harmful to minors and supports digital media providers in the implementation of youth protection measures. It works closely with many other institutions in the field – in Germany and internationally.
The FSM pursues the goal of ensuring effective youth media protection in digital offerings. Its main tasks:
The FSM is part of the system of regulated self-regulation in Germany. It works closely with other self-regulatory bodies such as the USK (Entertainment Software Self-Regulation), the FSK (Voluntary Self-Regulation of the Film Industry) and the FSF (Voluntary Self-Regulation of Television). In this way, the self-regulatory bodies promote cooperation between companies, authorities and politicians for the effective protection of minors in the media.
The digital protection of minors is a dynamic field that constantly presents new challenges:
It is often difficult for parents to assess what content on the Internet is suitable for their children. The FSM offers support to ensure that youth media protection reaches families:
More information is available directly on the FSM website: www.fsm.de
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.
Are you or your child looking for high-quality and child-friendly child-friendly online offers? Then Seitenstark just the right thing! The platform is a network of certified children’s sites that provide educationally valuable content. Your child can surf, discover and learn safely here.
Seitenstark.de is a children’s website that lists and presents a variety of child-friendly websites. The sites offer content on various topics. Whether nature and technology, music and film, art and culture or politics and religion – children will find lots of exciting content here and can learn new things in a fun way.
Many of the pages presented are linked to the site strength-seal of approval. The seal stands for high-quality, ad-free and safe internet services that are specially tailored to the needs of children. Sites with this seal offer trustworthy, verified content and protect the privacy of young users.
On Seitenstark going digital is easy and fun. In the Link-Clips places Seitenstark The mascot Starky accompanies the children as they surf the Internet and provides them with other topics in addition to the children’s pages. The mascot Starky accompanies the children while surfing and presents other topics in addition to the children’s pages, such as Children’s rights. In the category Join in! children get exciting ideas and tips for creating media themselves. Those who Games you get access to child-friendly game collections and entertaining analog and digital game tips. Under the tab Fit on the Internet the character Charlie provides important information about safety on the Internet. Your child will learn more about the Internet in general, about Fake news and data protection and answers to frequently asked questions.
The Seitenstark e. V. association forms the organizational basis of the open Seitenstark-network. As a non-profit organization and recognized sponsor of independent youth welfare, the association is committed to high-quality and safe children’s media. Its members come from the fields of children’s media, media education and educational work. All information about the association, the seal of approval and tips on media education can be found in the Area for parents and teachers.
When you gradually release your child more independently into the world of the Internet, he or she should already have learned a few rules and have safe places to go to find offers suitable for children. Therefore Seitenstark a great opportunity.
The website is divided into a children’s section and a section for parents and teachers. You can let your child surf alone in the children’s area with a clear conscience, which will give them self-confidence and help them develop their skills. Media competence promotes. However, you should always bear in mind that the discussed media usage times are adhered to and you remain in contact with your child.
Make use of Seitenstark as a contact point for discovering new topics together and imparting knowledge in a playful way. With Seitenstark children can use the Internet safely and sensibly – a great opportunity for you as parents to accompany your child in their digital learning. And you can also find out more yourself on the site.
“Just one more round!” or “Leon can watch TV much longer!” – Many parents are familiar with phrases like these. But how much media time is actually okay? Which media is suitable for my child? And at what age does it make sense for them to have their own smartphone? Fixed rules can help to find answers to these questions. However, they can also lead to conflicts. We have a few tips and background information on setting media rules in the family.
Rules are not there to enforce the will of parents, but to provide structure and guidance. They help to promote your child’s media skills and reduce the risk of problems caused by inappropriate use of media. As parents, you have the responsibility to combine the fun of media with a conscious approach. You are often better at assessing dangers than your child.
It is important that your child understands the rules and can follow them. It is best to develop the rules together with your child. This will make your child realize that their opinion counts and it will be easier for them to accept the rules. Explain to your child why certain rules are important and why they should be followed. If rules are not clearly formulated or are interpreted differently, your child will find it difficult to follow them. Another crucial point is that you as parents are role models – this means that you should follow the same rules yourself.
Which rules make sense depends on the age of your child and on how you and your child generally deal with media. This is not the same in every family.
The younger your child is, the more you should keep an eye on his or her media use. Young children need close supervision and should not spend too much time with media. Choose age-appropriate content, limit the duration of use and decide on suitable devices. Even if your child is still small, you can explain to them why certain content or times are chosen. Depending on their stage of development, children of kindergarten age can also be involved in simple decisions. From elementary school age, your child gets many new impressions and influences. They still need a lot of guidance, which is why clear, jointly developed rules are very important. You can now better talk to your child about content and let him or her have a say. This way, your child feels taken seriously and learns to take responsibility. From secondary school and adolescence onwards, you should trust your child to be more independent and support them in using media in an increasingly self-determined and self-regulated way. Young people usually approach digital media openly, but they are often not yet able to properly assess the risks. That’s why you are still important as a guide and contact person!
The following applies to all age groups: media usage rules must be sensible and flexible.
To help your child understand how to use media, it makes sense to draw up the rules together – for example in the form of a media usage contract. Such a contract makes the rules transparent and comprehensible for everyone. Exceptions can also be formulated. If your child can help shape the rules themselves, it will be easier for them to stick to them. Check regularly whether the rules still make sense or need to be adjusted if necessary.
Just as important as media-related rules are “media-free” rules – such as not using smartphones during a family meal or conversation. Such rules promote interpersonal communication and strengthen the family bond.
A frequent topic is the question: How much media time is healthy? When is it too much? The answer depends very much on the age and individual needs of your child. The rule of thumb is: the younger, the less!
One approach to regulating media time in everyday life is the use of media vouchers. These can help children of primary school age and above to independently allocate a weekly budget of media time. This gives your child responsibility for their media use without you having to constantly intervene.
It is important that your child has a varied daily routine, uses media in different ways, but also has media-free experiences.
Not only the use of media, but also the choice of content should be part of the family rules. Make sure that media content is age-appropriate and corresponds to your child’s interests. In addition to television and apps, media consumption also includes radio plays, books and music. It makes sense to include these in the rules as well.
Take into account that the content of media use varies greatly, as do the motives and needs of use. A game for mere entertainment may be weighted differently than learning with media. Discuss qualitative differences with your child. Be sure to include age-appropriate content as well.
The question of the right age for the first smartphone concerns many parents. If necessary, talk to the parents of your child’s friends and consider whether certain rules can apply to everyone.
Another important topic is the security settings for devices and apps. Many smartphones and tablets now offer the option of controlling access to certain content and limiting its use. These should always be discussed with your child. Settings such as screen time limits, age ratings and app filters can help to control media use.
However, these technical aids are no substitute for parental guidance. They should also not be used purely for control. Your child needs trust and the opportunity to gradually take responsibility for their own media use. Explanations from you and conversations about media make a significant contribution to your child learning how to use media competently.
Rules may vary depending on the child’s age and stage of development. On the one hand, stay consistent, otherwise they will not serve their purpose. At the same time, if possible, do not use the rules as a punishment or reward.
Instagram remains one of the most popular social media platforms, especially among young people. The app makes it possible to share photos and videos, create stories and interact with friends and influencers.
Instagram, or Insta for short, is more than just a picture platform. Above your own feed (accessible in the app via the house icon), there are stories and live streams from users you follow. These disappear after 24 hours, but can be saved as a highlight by the person who posted the story. The feed also shows new photos and videos from subscribed channels and people.
Users can find a wide variety of content on Insta: Posts from stars, brands and challenges through to personal profiles of friends. They can react to them with likes and comments or save them for themselves.
You can edit your own posts with filters, emojis and fonts directly in the app. Content is sorted by topic using hashtags. Reels (short TikTok-style videos) can be accessed via the video icon.
At the end of 2023, Meta also launched the Threads social media app in Germany. This is linked to Instagram.
Since December 2024, young people up to the age of 16 have automatically been given so-called teen accounts with additional protective functions such as restricted contact options and stricter content filters: notifications are muted between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. and automatic replies are sent to direct messages. After 60 minutes of use per day, teenagers receive a notification asking them to leave the app. Accounts of children and young people under the age of 18 are automatically set to private after creation. However, this can be changed in the settings afterwards and the profile can be set to public. All these default settings can only be adjusted or deactivated with the consent of the parents in the so-called parental supervision in the Family Center.
Data protection: Instagram’s privacy policy allows the sharing of user data with other services of the parent company Meta and with third parties. The app allows cross-posting. This means that a photo can also be shared on Facebook with one click. If you have an account there, you should check the settings carefully when publishing posts.
Location sharing: Instagram can determine the location of users via the posts they post. Private accounts prevent this. Access to the location can also be deactivated in the app and in the app permissions. This means that Instagram cannot view the location of public accounts either. However, a location can be added to each posted image manually afterwards.
Paid content: Paid content is created when children and young people not only follow an account, but also subscribe to it. The monthly price is set by the creators themselves and the subscription can usually be canceled on a monthly basis. Subscribers have access to exclusive content such as images, reels and stories. If you want to subscribe to an account, you will find the “Subscribe” button next to “Follow”/”Followed” and “Messages” on your profile. A single click on this does not yet lead to a subscription, which must be confirmed with further clicks.
Inappropriate content: Certain content can be problematic for young people, such as erotic images, dangerous challenges, disinformation or advertising. Influencer business models play a special role here, which young people do not always recognize.
Communication risks: Functions such as chats and comments harbor communication risks such as being contacted by strangers, hate speech or cyberbullying.
Despite the official minimum age of 13, there is no effective age check. Until your child is 18 years old, you must consent to its use. There are extensive usage and setting options. If your child is under the age of 13, they can use Instagram if you manage the account. This must be included in the profile description. At Handysektor you can read a short version of the terms of use and download a flyer with the most important safety information about Instagram for young people.
Parents can link their account to that of their child in the “Parental supervision”. We present all the setting options in this article. You can find out how Instagram wants to make the app safer for young people directly on the Instagram website.
Consider together with your child at what age and according to what rules they are allowed to use Instagram. Check the app settings together so that your child can use Instagram as safely as possible. Not all photos must or may be shared with everyone or only with friends.
Talk to your child about communication risks. Show your child how they can block or report other users and explain to them when these functions are useful – for example, if someone insults your child in the comments. Your child should not accept requests from strangers and should use their own data, such as their location , sparingly.
Educate your child about risks such as harmful content, hate speech, disinformation and political opinion making. Also talk about critical behavior of influencers and stay in conversation with your child about one-sided role models and clichés. Stay interested and regularly ask who your child follows on Instagram and who follows them. It is important that your child knows that they can always talk to you if they have an unpleasant experience on the platform.
Disputes are part of child development. Children and young people learn how to deal with conflicts and find solutions. However, digital media can lead to arguments getting worse. Cyberbullying is affecting more and more children and young people. This makes it all the more important to raise your child’s awareness of respectful online behavior and to help them deal with online conflicts. In this article, we explain what you can do as a parent.
Cyberbullying means that people are insulted, exposed or threatened online, for example via apps such as TikTok, Snapchat, WhatsApp or Instagram.
There are different roles: the victims, the active bullies, but also the silent bystanders and assistants who join in. Many children and young people take on several of these roles, sometimes without realizing it. Cyberbullying can take many forms:
As digital content can be stored and redistributed, a single post can have long-term effects. Attackers can often hide behind their anonymity.
There are many reasons why children and young people bully others:
New technologies such as deepfake software have exacerbated cyberbullying. Young people sometimes use them out of curiosity or to deliberately expose others.
Bullying has been around since before the invention of the internet. But whereas in the past a child could come home after school and switch off, today children and young people are constantly connected to each other. Conflicts from school continue in class chats or on social media platforms. This is why cyberbullying can have serious consequences. Children who are bullied online often feel helpless and abandoned. In the long term, it can lead to anxiety, sleep disorders, depressive moods or even suicidal thoughts. Statistics show that almost half of young people have already experienced cyberbullying. According to the JIM Study 2024, 11% of young people have experienced cyberbullying directly in the last month.
When children and young people communicate with each other, there are always times when insults are used. This does not have to be bullying, but is often just a joke. They use it to test how far they can go. However, this limit is different for every child.
Parents can do a lot to ensure that their child communicates respectfully and is safer online:
Good prevention starts early. Parents should talk to their children about how to use the internet competently before they become active on social media. For primary school children, there are programs such as the learning offer Genial digital run by the Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk, which teach media skills in a fun way. The cyberbullying first aid app from klicksafe helps young people to deal with conflicts online.
Schools can also help by setting clear rules against (online) bullying and providing information. Parents can, for example, encourage teachers to integrate digital learning modules or videos from the Wake Up Initiative, including those from the FSM, into lessons.
If your child is affected by cyberbullying, you should remain calm and make it clear to them that it is not their fault. You can then take the following steps together:
Cyberbullying is a serious challenge for children and young people. However, parents can do a lot to empower their children, educate them and stand by them when problems arise. Make use of the support services, stay in contact with your child and advocate for a safe and respectful online world.
The annual Safer Internet Day, which is coordinated in Germany by the EU initiative klicksafe, will take place on February 11, 2025. Under the motto “No likes for lies! Recognize extremism, populism and deepfakes online”, children and young people are to be encouraged to deal critically with online content. On Elternguide.online we answer the most important questions on this topic.
Disinformation refers to the deliberate dissemination of false or misleading information with the aim of deceiving or manipulating people. The aim is to deliberately create a certain opinion or mood, for example against certain groups of people or political decisions. We explain everything about this topic in the article Fake news, conspiracies and disinformation – what does it actually mean? The text False information on the internet explains the background in plain language.
“Fake news” is invented or distorted news that relies on strong emotions to attract attention and spread quickly. They can distort public opinion and promote false beliefs. You can find out more about this in our parents’ guide article Fake news – dealing with disinformation and false reports on the internet.
Deepfakes are videos or audios that have been faked with the help of artificial intelligence. They look real even though they are not. People are shown as if they were saying or doing things that never actually happened. Deepfakes can be used to spread false information or make someone look bad. Read the article Deep fakes – deceptively real fakes to find out what you can watch out for as a parent.
Simple answers to difficult questions – conspiracy narratives are often behind this. These complex narratives explain events or situations with secret plans or powers. Such myths can quickly spread online, fuel mistrust of official bodies and lead to unreasonable behavior. You can find out more about this in our article Conspiracy myths on the internet.
Whether on social media, messengers or in online games – children and young people can come across extremist propaganda anywhere online. Extremist groups use the internet to spread their ideologies and recruit new followers. They often use manipulative content and misleading disinformation to achieve their goals. Our article Extremism online explains more about the background and how you can protect your child.
Some symbols, such as the swastika, are prohibited due to their association with unconstitutional organizations or ideologies. The dissemination of such symbols can contribute to the spread of extremist views and have consequences under criminal law. Our article Prohibited symbols on the internet sheds light on the dangers for children and where parents can get information.
The term dark social refers to the dissemination of content via private channels such as messenger services or emails that are not publicly visible. Such distribution channels make it more difficult to track disinformation and can increase its reach. If you would like to find out more, read the article Dark Social – the dark side of the internet.
Chatting, posting, liking – online communication is an important part of children and young people’s media use. However, it is associated with a number of challenges. Contact with strangers harbors risks such as hate speech, cybergrooming or sextortion. Conflicts are also possible among friends, for example through cyberbullying. Problems can arise in gaming through anonymous communication and trash talk. In our article, we explain how your family can deal with communication risks safely and confidently.
The ability to connect with others online and develop their own opinions is an important part of children and young people’s development. However, during the orientation phase, they can be susceptible to easy solutions and radical views from extremists. Keep talking to your child about their media use, keep an open mind and listen. Explain to your child why they should not trust all content on the internet. Show them how to critically question and check information and give your child access to age-appropriate news formats. There are numerous online resources and tools that can help to recognize disinformation and deal with communication risks. klicksafe, for example, offers materials and explanatory videos that are specially designed for young people.
