Immerse yourself in game worlds, experience exciting adventures with your own avatar and compete with other players – many children and young people are fascinated by games. As a parent, you should give your child access to age-appropriate content. Online games in particular, with their opportunities for interaction and incentives to buy, present young players with challenges. But how do you keep track of the gaming market and find suitable games for your child?
Educational age recommendations, independent game reviews and media awards can help you make informed decisions and select suitable content together with your child. In this article, we present some of the options.
The NRW games guide is a media education service from the Fachstelle für Jugendmedienkultur NRW, which supports parents with media education. The platform offers extensive information on over 2000 games. The games are tested by young people and given an educational age recommendation by experts. Parents can use filter functions to find suitable games for their children by genre, platform and age. The game descriptions and video clips provide insights into the content, risks and opportunities of the games and use additional descriptions to highlight the characteristics and skills that the game promotes (e.g. reading skills, frustration tolerance and logic).
More info: https://www.elternguide.online/spieleratgeber-nrw/
Spielbar.de is a service provided by the Federal Agency for Civic Education. The platform offers parents and children and young people aged 10 and over an independent, educational guide to digital games. Popular games are explained and pedagogically evaluated on spielbar.de. Aspects such as learning objectives and risks such as violent content are taken into account. In addition to the game ratings, parents will find a guide with answers to questions about game selection, playing times and problematic gaming behavior. The service is also aimed directly at young people who are looking for suitable game recommendations and information.
More info: https://www.elternguide.online/spielbar-infos-rund-um-beliebte-videospiele/
Whether for computer, tablet, smartphone or console – internet-abc.de offers a collection of over 1000 games for children up to the age of 12. The Internet ABC experts award points for fun, operation and technical quality and make an age assessment. Children and parents can use the search mask to filter the games by game type, game device and age group. Each recommendation offers facts and pictures about the game as well as a summary of the content. Children can rate the games with stars and leave comments.
More info: https://www.internet-abc.de/kinder/spiel-spass/spieletipps/
Anyone looking for high-quality and child-friendly digital content will find what they are looking for at the Educational Media Prize of the media education association SIN – Studio im Netz. Every year, a jury of children, young people and experts awards prizes to digital media offerings such as apps, games and websites that are particularly recommended for young people. The award-winning digital offerings are free of problematic content such as excessive violence. The focus is on media that not only entertain, but also convey educationally valuable content.
More info: https://www.paedagogischer-medienpreis.de
The website of the Digital Games Culture Foundation offers parents a collection of recommended games. The selection includes both serious games that specifically impart knowledge and commercial entertainment games with educational added value. The collection also includes programs that encourage children and young people to get creative and develop their own games. The offers can be filtered according to age groups, platforms and topics. For each game there is an educational classification according to time required, complexity, game content, opportunities and possible risks.
More info: https://www.stiftung-digitale-spielekultur.de/paedagogische-spiele/
Every year, the TOMMI Children’s Software Award recognizes particularly recommendable digital games and educational products for children. First, an expert jury reviews the nominated media products. Children’s juries then test and evaluate the games, apps and programs in 50 libraries in German-speaking countries. The TOMMI is published by the FEIBEL.DE office for children’s media in Berlin. Parents benefit from the independent assessments, as the award highlights games that are suitable for children and offer both fun and educational added value. The award ceremony takes place every year in the Timster program on KiKa program.
More info: https://tommi.kids/kindersoftwarepreis/
The Gaming without Borders project tests digital games for accessibility and supports game developers in designing inclusive games. Young people with and without disabilities test the games and rate them in the categories of seeing, hearing, understanding and controlling. The service shows how digital games can be made accessible for everyone. The ComputerProjekt Köln e.V. is the specialist center for youth media culture in NRW. Parents can find valuable information here on how to select accessible games for their children in order to give them an unrestricted gaming experience.
More info: https://www.gaming-ohne-grenzen.de/
Beware of the risk of confusion! Distinguish between educational recommendations and age ratings in accordance with the German Youth Protection Act. Age ratings such as those issued by the Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body(USK) are intended to protect children and young people from developmentally harmful content and interaction risks. They are not a recommendation and can say little about whether your child can handle the content well.
Educational recommendations assess whether a game is understandable, interesting and development-promoting for a certain age group in terms of content and emotion. They show how a medium can accompany, support or positively stimulate children and young people in their development.
Every child develops differently. Therefore, don’t just rely on recommendations, but actively accompany your child in their media use right from the start. Observe your child to understand how they react to different content. It is best to play together with your child or try out the game yourself beforehand. You can find more information on the topic of games in the family, for example which media rules are important, in this parents’ guide article: https://www.elternguide.online/games-games-games/
Video or game night? But which movies, series or computer games are suitable for the whole family? What does the age rating on the cover actually mean? Age ratings protect against questionable content, but are not age recommendations. This article explains the differences and shows how parents can make good decisions for their children.
In Germany, there is a system for assessing whether media could be problematic or harmful for a young audience: Age rating or age labeling. It is carried out by various institutions:
All of these checks look at whether media content contains violence, sexuality, drug use or discrimination or is particularly frightening. The more such content, the higher the age rating. After the check, the content is given the colorful stickers with the age information on them that are widely known. If a film or game is not approved for a certain age, this means, for example, that it is blocked by youth protection filters or may only be shown on television from a certain time. In cinemas, the age of visitors is checked.
Media content is checked to see whether it could impair the development of children and young people. The aim of age ratings is to protect young adolescents from traumatizing or frightening content. There is no pedagogical assessment behind it: The content is not checked to see whether it is interesting or recommendable for young users!
A recommendation, on the other hand, is nothing more than a ‘good tip’. We get recommendations from friends and neighbors, from the radio – or from educators who check media offerings to see whether they are appealing to children, easy to understand and valuable in terms of content.
As anyone can make a recommendation, it is important to question whether it is well-founded and credible. In the case of private recommendations, it helps to assess the person. In the case of articles or websites, you should know and question the authors. Good sources include:
The age rating protects against questionable content, but it is not a recommendation. Recommendations, on the other hand, can be made by anyone with an interest in media – but the criteria for this are often unclear. A combination of different sources of information is therefore important.
If parents adhere to age ratings, they can avoid frightening or scary content. In addition, recommendations from reputable sources increase the hit rate for a good media offer enormously.
Ideally, parents should also see for themselves: watch the movie beforehand, find out about the game on YouTube or even try it out for yourself. After all, you know your child best and know what they like, what is too much for them or what they are afraid of.
And above all: keep the conversation going! Talk to your child about their media experiences. Listen and show interest in the movies or games they love – but also in the ones they don’t like.
And if you’ve chosen the wrong movie – no problem! There’s always the spontaneous popcorn evening on the sofa.
Too old for the children’s program, but still too young for the social media world? There is a time when your child doesn’t really know his place. It’s somewhere between childhood and adolescence. This affects many of the so-called “pre-teens”, the approximately 9-12 year olds. They are in a transition phase, which is also reflected in their media usage.
For younger children, there are many age-appropriate offerings such as children’s apps, radio plays and children’s programs. As children get older, they are often no longer so interested in these – and turn directly to the adult world of media. The jump is quite big and the offer can still partly overwhelm your child.
At the onset of puberty, your child is on the cusp of becoming an adolescent. In some things it still behaves childlike, in others it already wants to separate itself from you. It is increasingly oriented to elders and to people, trends and ideas outside the family. As a result, there is less and less interest in children’s media.
During this phase, many children get their first smartphone and immerse themselves more and more independently in the world of online media. They have their first experiences in online games and on social media platforms. They follow stars such as influencers and streamers, interact with other users and develop their own identity. Pre-teens often lack an understanding of how to handle their own data or challenges such as communication risks online.
Whether your child still wants to watch children’s programs or is already interested in computer games, social media or TV shows for older children – support your child according to their stage of development and give them the time they need.
Gradually, you should relinquish control and support your child in being able to use media independently, safely and responsibly. Although your child has already gained some experience, he or she will still approach many things with an open mind, which means that they can easily come into contact with content that is harmful to minors online. Your child’s curiosity and desire to increasingly set themselves apart from adults will also lead them to seek out provocative content. Nevertheless, as parents, you still have an important role to play in providing guidance during the transition phase. Always talk to your child and ask about their media experiences.
Finding offers for pre-teens is not that easy and not every child will be interested. For computer games and films, there are age ratings from the Voluntary Self-Regulation Body. They indicate whether the content is unproblematic for development from a certain age. If you take a closer look, there are media offerings tailored to children in the transition phase both in traditional media and online.
Here are a few recommendations:
You should also allow your child to take advantage of offerings that are not specifically for children. Find out about programs and content in advance. When you watch a movie, play a game or surf the Internet together as a family, your child has the opportunity to ask questions and you can see how he or she copes with certain content.
The JIM Study (Youth, Information, Media) 2024 provides exciting insights into the media use of young people (aged 12 to 19) in Germany. It is conducted every year by the Media Education Research Association Southwest. Here we summarize the most important results for parents and give tips on how they can support their children.
In 2024, young people will spend an average of 201 minutes online per day – this is less than in 2023 (224 minutes) and the lowest figure since 2016. Many young people now enjoy consciously spending time without their smartphone: 60% say that they regularly take such breaks. Nevertheless, the smartphone remains the most important device: 96% of young people use it every day. They write messages, watch videos, use social media or do research for school.
Social media also plays a role in the search for information: 37% of young people find out about current topics on platforms such as Instagram or TikTok. However, 63% specifically avoid news because they are bothered by negative reports.
AI tools such as ChatGPT are becoming increasingly popular: 62% of young people have already used them, especially for school (65%). Functions in apps such as Google Assistant or Snapchat AI are also popular. Young people use these not only for learning, but also for creative projects or hobbies.
Despite digital media, face-to-face meetings and sport remain important: 65% of young people regularly meet friends or play sport. Younger teenagers spend more time with their families, while older teenagers often organize their free time themselves – for example with hobbies or volunteering. Leisure activities are increasingly accompanied by digital media, e.g. gaming and online tutorials.
Problems such as fake news, cyberbullying and contact with problematic content are omnipresent. 61% of young people report encounters with fake news, while extremist and offensive content is perceived as particularly distressing. These challenges underline the need to promote media literacy. Schools and parents can play a key role by teaching the critical use of information and the importance of digital security
In addition to this article, we also offer in-depth insights into the media use of young children with the miniKIM study and the media habits of children with the KIM Study 2022. The results and further information on the JIM Study 2024 can be found in detail on the website of the Medienpädagogischer Forschungsverbund Südwest.
Many young people are affected by cyberbullying. What is behind this phenomenon and how do young people actually experience bullying in the digital world? What warning signs are there, what influence do AI and new technical developments have and when should you call the police?
In this virtual parents’ evening, we will take a look at cyberbullying from a legal and media education perspective. The aim is to show you as parents the options for education and support as well as support in dealing with acute problems. In addition to tips for media education, you will learn about contact points for advice and help.
Be there live and ask your questions to our experts – we will give answers and be available for exchange! The event will be held in German.
The virtual parents’ evening is an event as part of Safer Internet Day 2025 – you can find out more about the campaign day at klicksafe.
Date: 13.02.2025 | Time: 5 to 6 pm
Speakers: Ulrike Bastians and Lidia de Reese (FSM)
Platform: The virtual parents’ evening is realized via the tool “Zoom”.
Privacy Notice: Zoom is a service of Zoom Video Communications Inc. which is based in the USA. We use Zoom via the German operator easymeet24. easymeet24 ‘s server is located in Europe. Furthermore, we have selected the configurations with the highest data and security protection within the Zoom service.
Please also take note of our privacy policy.
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“Games for eternity” – that is the motto of GOG.com. The multilingual games platform offers a huge selection of old and newer games. GOG. com is particularly popular with players who want to download and own games themselves.
GOG.com (formerly “Good Old Games”) is the digital distribution platform of the Polish developer studio CD Projekt. The game developer’s best-known titles include Cyberpunk2077 and The Witcher. The platform has been distributing games from its own studio since 2008 and offers a collection of hand-picked games. The platform is dedicated to preserving old computer games that are no longer compatible with modern systems due to a lack of responsible rights holders. Users can find large game titles as well as smaller games and retro classics here. Unlike other stores, the games on GOG.com are not tied to an account or copy-protected. Users can download the games they purchase and save them on their own device. Purchasing the games directly supports the developers.
GOG Galaxy not only allows users to buy and play games, but also to connect with friends online. The platform is reminiscent of comparable distribution platforms such as Steam and Epic Gamesa digital games library and a chat platform for players. Players create an account and collect the games they buy in their own digital library. The platform offers reliable customer support, secure purchases and a lively community.
GOG.com offers gamers not only brand new games, but also retro classics. This makes it possible for younger gamers to play the first versions of certain games. Games that are otherwise very difficult or impossible to buy are also available here. The platform offers DRM-free games. DRM stands for “Digital Rights Management” and protects games from being passed on and reproduced to third parties. DRM-free games can be downloaded without copy protection and installed and played on different computers at the same time.
A GOG account can be easily created with an e-mail address. GOG.com‘s terms of use stipulate that a minimum age of 16 years applies to the creation of an account and that under-18s require the consent of a parent or guardian. However, the age is not checked in detail: when registering, only a check mark has to be activated.
Although GOG Galaxy offers an impressive collection of games, its selection is limited compared to larger platforms such as Steam. This is partly due to the fact that not all developers and publishers are willing to offer their games without DRM.
GOG.com and GOG Galaxy offer game developers a free platform to bring their games to market. Each game has a 30-day return policy if the game does not work. GOG.com states that it does not store any data from user devices and does not share any personal data with third parties. Users can also delete all imported data from the GOG servers with a single click.
In the GOG Code of Conduct, GOG sets out guidelines for dealing with one another. The provider prohibits misconduct such as bullying or harassment and threatens consequences such as blocking the user’s account. Users can report misconduct by other users by contacting GOG staff or GOG community moderators.
Age checks are not carried out at GOG.com and GOG Galaxy, so children under the age of 16 can easily create an account on GOG.com. Discuss the rules for creating your own (gaming) accounts with your child and make your child aware of data protection and the protection of privacy online.
When selecting games, pay attention to the USK age ratings and only give your child access to age-appropriate games. GOG.com provides information on the age ratings of individual games. Nevertheless, games are also sold that do not (yet) have an age rating from the USK.
As the playing time cannot be restricted via the gaming platform, use the setting options on the PC for screen time if necessary. Technical youth media protection is not a substitute for media education, but can only support it. Stay interested and talk to your child about their favorite games and their gaming and interaction experiences. Explain the risks, such as how to deal with contact with strangers. Agree on rules for dealing with games in the family that all family members adhere to.
Digital media enrich our everyday lives in many different ways: Music programs at the breakfast table, navigation apps on the go or chats for organizing leisure activities. (Screen) devices help us to learn, to work and are often fun. No wonder they have become an integral part of our everyday lives, whether at home or in public spaces.
However, with the growing importance of media, the ability to use them responsibly and competently is also becoming increasingly important. Today, media literacy is just as essential as reading, writing or arithmetic in order to be able to navigate the modern world safely and successfully. Anyone who does not know how to use media in a targeted and considered way can quickly run into difficulties. But what exactly does media literacy mean?
Being media literate means more than just being able to operate a device. Although this is part of it, at its core it is about the conscious and responsible use of content. This includes the following aspects:
Those who are media literate know why and how they use media, can recognize negative effects and counteract them, while positive aspects are specifically promoted.
The call for “more media literacy” is often directed at children and young people. This is understandable, as they will shape the world of tomorrow. We may not know this world yet, but it will be heavily influenced by media, especially the internet.
You can imagine the internet as a city: There are playgrounds and nice stores, but also traffic and strangers. Parents don’t just send their young children off on their own, they accompany them, explain the rules and show them what to look out for. This is exactly how it should be on the Internet. Accompany your child as they explore the digital world.
Developing media literacy is a joint task from the very beginning – in the family, at nursery and at school. The younger the child, the more responsibility parents have and the more they act as role models. As they get older, children and young people can and should be allowed to have their own experiences – including with their own devices. Common rules and an open discussion are helpful here.
Media literacy is not a “children’s game”, it is just as important for adults! Parents who want to help their children use media responsibly need to be media literate themselves. Only those who understand digital technologies and platforms can provide guidance and act as role models. You should therefore actively engage with digital topics – through joint projects with your children, exchanges with other parents or further training courses in schools and education centers. Teachers are also called upon to strengthen their own media skills in order to pass on this knowledge. Helpful information can be found, for example, in ARD programs such as “Gemeinsam Medienkompetenz stärken“.
In addition, working people and older people also benefit from better media skills. Professional development and digital work processes often require new skills. For senior citizens, media offer numerous opportunities, such as contact with grandchildren via video chats. If you want to test your own media skills, you can find out with a self-test.
Minecraft is a kind of Lego for computers, games consoles or mobile devices in which players create their own world from virtual blocks with a great deal of creativity and skill.
The world in Minecraft consists of cubes and blocks that are always the same size. It is created anew each time according to the principle of the sandbox game and therefore always looks different. The cubes can be made of different materials such as wood or earth. The cubes are used differently depending on the game mode: In creative mode, players combine the cubes and build houses, models or even functioning computers. The materials used do not have to be collected, they are directly available to the players and can be used an infinite number of times. This allows them to create their very own world, which they can design creatively and change constantly. This function is now even used by schools for learning purposes, as Minecraft promotes children’s spatial thinking and creativity. The creative mode is also used in computer science lessons, for example as an introduction to programming. In survival mode, players have to use the materials and tools to fight monsters and hide in the self-built hut at night. The big difference to creative mode is that you have to collect the materials yourself and also manage a hunger bar and life bar. All objects and items that cannot be collected, such as chests, swords, doors, ovens, etc., must first be crafted at a so-called “crafting table”. The level of difficulty can be adjusted between “peaceful”, “easy”, “normal” and “difficult” depending on the age group.
Despite the simple graphics, which only consist of large pixels, Minecraft is very popular with children. Minecraft sets no limits to creativity. Players can create their very own virtual world and are excited about constructing landscapes and buildings and acquiring the raw materials they need. Playing with other players is particularly challenging in terms of competition and strategy, but creating worlds together can also be a lot of fun and requires coordination. Minecraft players from all over the world come together on online servers to experience different games and adventures together. The most popular modes include Bedwars, Oneblock, Skywars, Build Battle, Murder Mystery and Parkour. Depending on the game mode, special settings and rules apply for the interaction, which is varied and exciting for children and young people.
Minecraft brings together a large community and offers many opportunities for Let’s Play videos on YouTube and live streams on Twitch. Children and young people watch their favorite streamers, learn tips and tricks, exchange ideas with others or post content online themselves. This allows them to experience Minecraft in a different way without playing it themselves.
Minecraft is released by the USK from the age of six. How well children cope with the game depends, among other things, on the selected game mode: while the creative and adventure modes are easy to handle, survival and hardcore modes are more focused on defense and survival. Here, there are obstacles to overcome, such as encounters with monsters, which brings a certain amount of tension. As the game does not set its own limits, e.g. through different levels, it tempts you to play endlessly and lose yourself completely in the virtual world. The game’s controls can also be difficult for inexperienced players. Minecraft offers in-app purchases, e.g. via the Minecraft Marketplace. This is a platform where players can buy skins, mini-games and other content such as maps or resource packs like furniture, etc. Minecraft ‘s in-game currency is called “Minecoins”. PvP maps, in which players compete against each other in different game worlds according to the “player vs. player” principle, are a popular offer.
Such paid elements are appealing to kids and teens because they enhance the gaming experience.
Some paid offers are unsuitable for younger children, for example the “Scary Mods”, which are designed to make the game environment more exciting with creepy creatures, dark environments, scary noises and events.
Minecraft has been part of Microsoft since 2014. Auf der Webseite gibt es die Datenschutzerklärung und Nutzungsbedingungen auf Deutsch. Data is processed and used for product improvement and may also be shared.
The game is designed to encourage creativity and problem-solving skills. In Sweden (the country of origin of Minecraft developer Markus Persson), it is even on the curriculum. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind as a parent:
Younger children should be accompanied while playing in the beginning and should rather use the creative mode or easier difficulty levels of the survival mode. For older children, the hardcore mode may come into question later.
As always with media use, keep an eye on how much time your child spends playing. Make sure to adhere to set media use times and discuss together as a family which modes your child is allowed to play. Make sure the content is age-appropriate and control what content your child is allowed to purchase and use. Some offers on the “Marketplace” are not suitable for younger children. Players can communicate with each other in Minecraft using the chat function.
In the process, children are exposed to communication risks such as conflicts, cyberbullying, but also cybergrooming. Talk to your child about respectful interaction in the chat and encourage them to block and report inappropriate messages. This way, your child can protect themselves from harassment. Explain to your child that he or she should not disclose personal information such as name and address in the chat.
You can use the parental control function of a Microsoft account to restrict communication functions to friends only or deactivate them completely. Access to in-game purchases can also be controlled via the control function.
The game was tested for accessibility as part of the “Gaming without borders” project. According to the test results, Minecraft already does a lot right in terms of accessibility in the areas of understanding, controlling and hearing. The game is quite suitable for children and young people with impairments. However, some hurdles have been identified in the area of “vision”, which makes it difficult for people with visual impairments to use the game. However, Mojang as a development studio is also interested in this and is working on further expanding accessibility.
Just as the Highway Code lays down rules for safe traffic, the Youth Protection Act ensures that children and young people are protected in the media world. Especially in a digitalized society, it is more important than ever to offer young people guidance and protection.
The Youth Protection Act(JuSchG) regulates, among other things, how media must be designed today so that children and young people are not exposed to any dangers when using it. The comprehensively modernized version, which has been in force since May 2021, focuses more strongly on digital services. While previous versions focused primarily on so-called carrier media such as video cassettes and DVDs, CR-ROMs or audio carriers, the updated law also takes into account the challenges of the internet. Media providers must comply with this, otherwise they face penalties. However, this is not so easy because it is a German law and the Internet knows no national borders. However, if the providers of certain services are based in Germany, they must follow these rules. The EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which has provided uniform rules for digital service providers across Europe since the beginning of 2024, brings additional pressure.
The Youth Protection Act stipulates the age at which young people may have access to certain media – films, programs and online content. In doing so, it draws on the age ratings of the self-regulatory bodies. Providers are obliged to make default settings that protect children and young people in particular from interaction risks such as bullying, sexualized speech(cybergrooming), hate speech, tracking and cost traps.
Many online services and apps therefore have integrated parental control settings, for example TikTok and Instagram. They carry out precise checks on how old users are or even use video procedures to prove their identity. Nevertheless, it is difficult to implement this rule: It is almost impossible to find out for sure whether the answer is really correct by simply asking the user’s age.
The law also provides for reliable, uniform age ratings for games and films that are used online. In addition, the classification is no longer based solely on content, but also on possible interaction risks such as cybergrooming and cost traps.
Previously, the familiar age ratings of the USK and FSK only applied to games and films that were available on so-called carrier media (such as CD-ROMs or video cassettes). Online providers did not have to provide any age information.
Children and young people should be able to easily seek help and complain if they feel threatened or harassed while using media.
The new Federal Agency for the Protection of Children and Young People in the Media is to ensure that these regulations are actually enforced. Organizations such as the Freiwillige Selbstkontrolle Multimedia-Diensteanbieter e.V. have online complaints offices to which young media users and adults can turn to report illegal content or content harmful to minors.
Since 2024, there have also been new regulations throughout Europe for offers that are particularly aimed at children and young people:
Platforms must explain their terms and conditions (terms and conditions of use) in such a way that young users can also understand them well.
The long, hard-to-read texts that are often carelessly clicked away when registering must therefore be replaced by new, comprehensible texts. This should enable children and young people to really understand what they are getting into when they sign up.
Privacy, security and protection of minors should be improved: Providers of apps or programs should take measures to protect their users as well as possible from dangers such as fraud, bullying or hate speech.
Unfortunately, the exact measures have not yet been defined and there are few exemplary solutions. However, the European Commission can issue guidelines to support providers in implementing the precautionary measures.
On platforms such as Tiktok or Instagram, young users create profiles that also contain private information. According to current regulations, however, children and young people may no longer be shown personalized advertising based on this information.
The platform operators must also conscientiously ask the age of the users for this – because children and young people are even less able to see through the fact that personalized advertising is being targeted at them, which is why they need even greater protection than adults.
The repeated revisions of the Youth Protection Act are important in order to adapt legal regulations to the media reality of children and young people. The law can be an important guide for you as parents and offers protection to a certain extent. At least if the providers comply with the obligations set out in the law. Unfortunately, it cannot be ensured that this is always the case. In addition, a frame does not fit each child individually. That is why you should accompany your child very closely in his or her media use, especially in the younger years. The older your child gets, the more freedom they need. Always stay in touch about his media use. This is the only way you can help if, despite protective measures, it has unpleasant experiences on the net or does not understand something.
The smell of cookies, shopping stress, shining children’s eyes: the holidays are approaching and digital devices and games are on the wish lists of many children and young people. What should parents consider before and after giving a gift? Between the years and during the vacations, there is also time for shared family media experiences. How can this be designed in a safe, age-appropriate and even creative way? In this article, we give you an overview of offers from the Elternguide.online partner network.
The Christmas vacations can be long, especially when the weather outside doesn’t really invite you to play. You probably have devices such as smartphones, tablets, cameras or a laptop lying around at home. How about you and your child simply getting started, taking photos or filming yourselves, trying out new creative apps and actively organizing media time? It’s great fun and your child will also learn something about media skills.
On the website kinder.jff.de there are suggestions for simple media projects that children aged 6 and over can do on their own or from the age of 3 with support from you as parents at home. This is helped by child-friendly video instructions in which the implementation of the media projects is shown step by step. How about a photo memory with Christmas tree decorations or an audio story about Christmas traditions?
For young photo fans between the ages of 8 and 12, the knipsclub offers a safe environment in which they can try out their skills in a closed and pedagogically supervised photo community and exchange photos with each other. On the website you will find creative photo tips, for example on painting with light. A real eye-catcher, especially on New Year’s Eve!
You are probably familiar with challenges from social media, e.g. dance challenges on TikTok. Children and young people love to take on challenges. Challenges don’t necessarily only have to take place on the Internet, you can also play them at home with your family! Why not try out the top photo challenge, the clip challenge or the re-enactment challenge? We have made a few suggestions in our parents’ guide article. You can find more Advent challenges on the website of the JFF project webhelm.de.
Children have many questions and learn early on that their questions will be answered on the Internet. How is Christmas celebrated in other countries? What craft tips and baking recipes are there for Christmas? The children’s search engine fragFINN offers children access to 3,500 verified websites, including around 400 children’s sites. Primary school children can gain their first Internet experience here in a protected surfing room and learn how to use search engines and search results. In the fragFINN Advent calendar, children can open a little door every day, behind which there are links to other children’s sites with a wide range of information and offers suitable for the winter season.
You can find more playful learning pages in this parents’ guide article.
Your child will probably also enjoy watching videos. If you are still looking for suitable films, series or YouTube clips, take a look at FLIMMO and have a look.
In addition to age information and educational recommendations for all formats from TV, streaming, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram, you will find winter movie tips from the Grüffelokind to the Grinch and the Polar Express under the special “Highlights in Advent”. A TV evening together can be a really nice family experience, especially when it’s as cold and dark outside as it is during the winter vacations. In this article, FLIMMO explains what you need to bear in mind when adding media to your wish list.
Parents must decide individually when their child is ready for their first smartphone, depending on their level of development and experience. After all, a smartphone theoretically opens up the whole world of the Internet to your child, with all its opportunities and risks. klicksafe offers extensive information for parents. Use the smartphone readiness checklist to see whether a smartphone is ready for the Christmas tree. Has the decision been positive? Then find out about technical setting options for Android and iOS and watch the instructions in the form of explanatory videos. You can find all information material from klicksafe in this topic special.
Would you like to prepare your child for the first smartphone under the Christmas tree? Child-friendly information on the first smartphone is available in the children’s magazine Genial Digital from the Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk. The fragFINN app gives your child a protected surfing space on their first smartphone and gives them access to quality, positive content.
Are you considering buying a smartwatch as an alternative? Then take a look at this topic from klicksafe. Please note: technical protective measures are no substitute for family discussions and media rules. Stay in contact with your child and accompany them as they take their first steps with a smartwatch or smartphone.
In addition to discussions and media rules, technical youth media protection is an important component of media education. Use the settings for screen time and Digital Wellbeing settings on smartphones to set time limits for the entire device or for different apps and to filter content. The youth protection program JusProg offers a precise filter option for websites and safe default settings for mobile devices and laptops. Google Family Links and YouTube Kids offer in the world of the internet giant Google offer the opportunity to make media experiences safer for your child. Social media apps such as Instagram and TikTok also offer safety features and options for parental guidance. Streaming with the family can be a fun activity during the vacations. Almost all streaming services have certified offers for the protection of minors. Use your own child profiles and the parental control function with the PIN. Many of the youth protection programs have been approved by the expert commission of the Voluntary Self-Regulation of Multimedia Service Providers (FSM). You can find out more about technical solutions for the protection of minors in the media on the FSM website.
Detailed instructions for all devices can be found on the website medien-kindersicher.de.
Which games should I give my child for Christmas? Are games okay for preschoolers? In the family section of the USK website and via the USK brochures, you will find all the information you need on the USK’s age ratings, the additional information and how to deal with the subject of games in the family.
The USK mark indicates the age at which a game does not cause any developmental impairments. The additional information such as “fantasy violence” or “pressure to act” gives parents a good indication of whether a game is suitable for their own child. Educational assessments of games can be found at the NRW games guide. Descriptions of popular games like Fortnite, Minecraft or Roblox are available on Elternguide.online. The USK lexicon explains the most important terms, devices and genres.
Would you like to make your child happy with a game for Christmas? Find out about the distribution channels for games and technical precautionary measures. Various settings for the protection of minors can be made on consoles as well as in game stores and the games themselves. Play together with your child and ask them interesting questions about their favorite games.
The team at Elternguide.online wishes you and your family a wonderful Christmas season and lots of fun using media safely and creatively!
FSK, USK, PEGI, FSF and FSM – these are all abbreviations for institutions for the protection of minors in the media, so-called self-regulatory bodies. Parents come across their logos and age ratings everywhere: in app stores, on streaming services, on DVDs or in TV programs. We explain who or what exactly is behind them.
The Youth Protection Act and the Interstate Treaty on the Protection of Minors in the Media stipulate that media must not endanger the development of children and young people – for example through violence or other critical content. Age limits such as 0, 6, 12, 16 or 18 years help to classify content accordingly.
The audit is carried out by various self-regulatory bodies:
Tip: FSK ratings help to assess whether content is generally approved for young people. They are not a recommendation and do not help you decide whether your child can process the content emotionally. Platforms such as FLIMMO offer additional educational recommendations.
Tip: Platforms such as Spieleratgeber NRW rate apps not only according to age, but also according to their educational value.
Tip: Check age ratings and discuss with your child what content is appropriate.
The age ratings are a measure for the protection of minors. The aim is not to impair the development of children and young people, for example by depicting violence or sexual acts. The age ratings are binding. An 18+ game may not be sold to younger children and films that are rated 12+ may not be seen in cinemas by younger children without an accompanying adult.
Things are a little different within your own four walls: the state does not generally regulate what media content your child is allowed to watch at home. You may make media content accessible to your child that is not approved for their age. However, the duty to educate must not be violated in the process. You need to assess how your child handles certain content and whether he or she can process it. The age ratings provide a good orientation! FSK, USK and FSF ratings provide no information as to whether children already understand the content and whether it is recommended for a certain age from an educational point of view. However, the individual justifications of classified films, series and games can be read on the websites of the self-regulatory bodies. You should also take a look at educational recommendations, such as the NRW games guide and spielbar.de for games and the FLIMMO website for films, series and TV programs.
Call of Duty is one of the world’s most successful first-person shooter game series. Players fight at breakneck speed as a soldier against others or in a futuristic war against aliens and zombies. The aim is to shoot the enemy by force of arms.
Players take on the role of soldiers and find themselves in various historical or imaginary theaters of war. There they engage in constant gun battles with enemies, as many of whom must be killed as possible. In multiplayer mode, you play online in a network against and with other players. A new installment of the game series has been released almost every year since 2003. There are always more functions or other worlds to keep the community loyal to Call of Duty. The various games do not build on each other. The most popular games in the story series include “Black Ops” and “Modern Warfare”. In the online battle royale mode “Warzone”, players fight against each other on a map (= game world) with the aim of surviving as long as possible. Many players are particularly excited about this new mode, as it brings a new appeal to the more than 27 different Call of Duty titles.
With this game, the developers of the Call of Duty series offer an authentic and aesthetically pleasing military gaming experience that will delight young people and adults alike. The fascination is comparable to watching an action movie, except that the players themselves slip into the role of soldiers. At the same time, the game looks very realistic and at the same time it is a simulation. For most gamers, this way of fighting is unimaginable in reality and thus clearly separable from reality.
Games that are not yet intended for their age have a special appeal for young people, which is why Call of Duty is also played by under-18s. They want to test themselves and try out or prove themselves to their peers by playing such games or pretending to do so.
Gun violence, poison gas and drone attacks, highly visible killing and bloodbaths are all part of the game. Due to its violent plot and atmosphere, the game is not suitable for children and teenagers. Understanding the game’s story and making moral decisions in the game requires the ability to reflect and a certain maturity. Time and again, the effects of computer games like Call of Duty are discussed. The first-person shooter perspective is problematic, whereby events are shown from the character’s point of view. Whether this triggers a higher level of aggression due to a stronger identification with the character has not yet been scientifically confirmed. This is not a realistic war simulation. Activision, the publisher of Call of Duty, has now also added in-game purchases to online titles such as “Warzone” and “Modern Warfare”. Players can use Call of Duty Points (CP) to spend money on skins, weapons and other game content. A Battle Pass, a common reward system in video games, is now also available in Call of Duty. However, such usage risks are generally more of a potential problem for younger players.
The game is intended for adults 18 years and older. The publisher is Activision, one of the world’s largest games companies, headquartered in the USA. According to its terms of service, guardians can consent to an Activision account if their child is over the age of 13 and under the age of 18. The provider states that it does not store any personal data of minors.
As a parent, you can decide whether or not to let your child play games that are not appropriate for their age according to the USK. You are best placed to assess whether your child can distinguish between virtual violence and real violence and whether depictions of war can have a frightening effect on your child. Nevertheless, you should keep in mind that the age restrictions are not without reason. On sites such as spielbar.de or Spieleratgeber NRW you can find educational assessments of various games.
Always stay in conversation with your child so that you know what they are playing and how they are using games. Also ask what your child is watching on YouTube watches. There may also be videos about computer games – so-called Let’s Plays. It’s not always true when children talk about friends who are supposedly allowed to play first-person shooters like Call of Duty .
Discuss this with other parents. You must decide for yourself and your family what is best for your child. You can also block Call of Duty: Mobile or other games or apps that are harmful to minors via the Family Sharing function or directly in the settings on your child’s smartphone, e.g. via Screen Time.
“Overcome your limits” – in the popular first-person shooter Valorant, two teams with unique characters play against each other. Despite the colorful cartoon look, weapons and violence are the central elements of the game.
Valorant is similar to popular games like Fortnite, Overwatch or Counterstrike.
The game is a mixture of hero and tactical shooter. The basic idea of the game is simple: two teams of five play against each other. At the start of each game, each player chooses a character (“agent”) with special abilities. One team defends a randomly selected game world, the so-called “map”. The other team attacks its terrain and must place the bomb, the “spike”. One point is awarded for each successful defense or attack. The game switches after 12 rounds. The first team to reach 13 points wins.
Between rounds, the teams use a temporary in-game currency to buy supplies such as weapons and armor, as well as skills for their characters. All agents have different, special characteristics. The in-game currency is earned and paid out at the end of each round according to personal performance and the team’s performance. Due to the different abilities of the agents, the pawns must be placed strategically. To do this, each team considers together which move is best for each round. Teamwork and tactical skill are required here.
Valorant has a large community and is frequently streamed on the Twitch streaming platform. The
“agents” are visually appealing enough for young people to identify with the characters. Valorant has a large fan culture that competes for the best design with cosplays and game-based
drawings. Valorant has also become a major eSports title, attracting a large mass of fans from all over the world. A plus point for young people is that the game is basically free to play and only requires an email address to register.
Valorant has a USK age rating from 16 years. Valorant is about an armed conflict, which is accompanied by depictions of violence. Settings can be made in the game so that no blood or dead figures are visible in the game.
There is a reward system in Valorant: if daily and weekly tasks are completed, players can earn the in-game currency “Creds” and use it to purchase new agents or accessories. New and rare skins bring players recognition in the game and can therefore encourage frequent play. Players can use real money to purchase “Valorant Points” and use them to buy time-limited BattlePasses or weapon skins. The provider regularly releases new packages, which can lead to pressure to buy.
In addition to the RIOT Games Terms of Use, Valorant has a Code of Conduct. Failure to comply with these rules can result in anything from a ban from the in-game communication systems to a temporary or indefinite ban from Valorant or all RIOT Games games. Valorant has a simple system for reporting players. During the game, individual players can be reported for misconduct.
As parents, pay attention to the USK age rating from 16 years and explain to your child why it is important. To prevent younger players from downloading the game without further ado, you as parents should definitely activate the parental control settings on your child’s device. If your child is playing Valorant because he or she is already 16 years old or you think he or she is mature enough, be sure to talk to him or her about his or her playing experience. Talk to other parents about the topic and find out more about the game on platforms such as the NRW Players’ Guide.
The game thrives on its tactics and in-game communication via chat and headset. Both can be switched on and off manually. Make your child aware of the special features of online communication. Inform them about communication risks and how to deal with inappropriate contact from other players. Ask your child what they experience in the game and in chat with other gamers. Make your child aware of technical functions, such as muting individual players in the event of misuse of the voice chat. The entire chat can also be switched off.
Although the game is free to download, there are many different ways to spend real money in the game via in-game purchases. Talk to your child about the mechanisms used by game developers and decide together how much money and time should be spent on the game. Technical settings can help your child to limit the playing time.
On the website of the public children’s media service KiKA, children can find lots of videos of their favorite series and films. There are also games, craft ideas and do-it-yourself experiments.
KiKA is the children’s channel of ARD and ZDF. On the website, you can watch documentaries, reports, news, animated and real series, films and shows from the children’s media range or follow the live program.
Online, however, there is more to discover on KiKA than the popular children’s series and formats. Various online games such as picture puzzles, games of skill or adventure and quiz games offer further entertainment. In the do-it-yourself section, children can find coloring pictures, craft ideas, recipes and experiments to get creative and active at home.
The KUMMERKASTEN also offers children the opportunity to find out about topics such as feelings, friendships and family, as well as problems such as cyberbullying or school stress in short videos. The KUMMERKASTEN primarily deals with challenges and problems during puberty and aims to provide support for adolescents.
Children can also contact the KUMMERKASTEN team at Diakonie if they have any problems or concerns: At Ask Sabine! children can find out how this works and can use a link to go directly to the advice page for children and young people of the Diakonisches Werk Berlin-Brandenburg-schlesische Oberlausitz e. V., with which KiKA and KUMMERKASTEN cooperate. Children and young people can get advice here via chat or email. Other offers of help such as the Nummer gegen Kummer, which offers telephone counseling, are also presented.
KiKA offers content for children between the ages of 3 and 13. However, not all content is recommended for the youngest children. Some content, for example the news program logo!, is only recommended from the age of 9. But even if there are suitable age recommendations, the following applies: watch the content together with your child and observe how your child reacts to the content. In a separate section for parents, educators can find information about the content and age recommendations for the respective programs. There you will also find additional material for the programs, such as colouring pictures or craft instructions for children. Also agree on times and duration of media use together. Media rituals in the family or a joint media usage contract can be helpful here.
This article is part of the “Parents’ tips on children’s participation platforms” project, which is part of the “Child-friendly digital services and orientation measures” program of the Federal Agency for Child and Youth Protection in the Media (BzKJ) and realised by JFF – Institute for Media Education in Research and Practice and the German Association for Voluntary Self-Regulation of Digital Media Service Providers (FSM e.V.).
The Kritzel Klub website is all about painting, drawing and creative experimentation. Children can get started directly on the virtual white paper and discover numerous tools without having to register.
At kritzel-klub.de, children can try out various digital pens, brushes and tools and create pictures online without much preparation. The website is designed with the help of symbols so that even children who are not yet able to read well can find their way around and start drawing straight away.
Various methods are also available to stimulate creative painting and drawing processes. For example, children can try out painting according to sounds or words or add their own drawings to pictures. Various drawing and painting techniques are also explained in four film clips. Children can then try out what they have learned by drawing with pen and paper.
The artworks can then be saved and printed out.
At Kritzel Klub, even younger children can easily get creative online and try out how to use digital devices at the same time. While creating and designing online, it’s easy to forget the time. Think about this together with your child: How would you like to organize media use in the family, how much screen time is ok? At the same time, your child may also be unhappy if something doesn’t work or look the way you want it to. Accompany your child in their use or create a digital work of art together.
This article is part of the “Parents’ tips on children’s participation platforms” project, which is part of the “Child-friendly digital services and orientation measures” program of the Federal Agency for Child and Youth Protection in the Media (BzKJ) and realised by JFF – Institute for Media Education in Research and Practice and the German Association for Voluntary Self-Regulation of Digital Media Service Providers (FSM e.V.).
