With media, children can learn, be creative, relax and have fun. It is important for children of primary school age and above to develop a conscious and increasingly independent approach to media. As parents, you are responsible for ensuring that media consumption does not get out of hand. Common rules for media use in the family are helpful.
Children of primary school age need clear rules. They provide security and help them to use media consciously. Agree these together with your child:
Children accept rules better if they are allowed to help decide. Think together about what makes sense – and what happens if a rule is broken. A media usage agreement can help to record everything. Be careful not to use media bans as leverage.
Adapt the media rules to your child’s stage of development. From adolescence, for example, fixed media times can be gradually abolished. Nevertheless, there should be rules about which media may be used for which purposes, for example with their first smartphone. Accompaniment by parents is still important in adolescence. Talk to your child about his or her media use. Ask how and why it uses what and how it copes with it. Always be available if there are any problems.
Games are particularly fascinating for many children – but they also pose challenges. Establish clear rules forcomputergames together:
Media time rules are often difficult to enforce – technical aids can help. Parental control functions in operating systems, settings in devices, apps and games as well as parental control apps help to comply with time limits and break times and to filter content. However, your child should gradually learn to put the smartphone or tablet aside by itself after the screen time is over. In this way, they practice and internalize a conscious approach to media.
Younger children should only install new apps and computer games together with their parents. As they get older, you can gradually give your child more responsibility and adjust the technical settings to suit their age.
Sooner or later, many parents hear: “Everyone else already has a smartphone/plays a console/may use TikTok!” Don’t let this put you under pressure. Children compare themselves, but every child is different. Explain your decisions to your child and involve them in an age-appropriate way. Your child will be increasingly influenced by friends at school age. It can help to talk to other parents and agree on common ground rules with classmates or friends.
As a parent, you are an important guide for your child. Therefore, be aware of your role model function – also with regard to media use. Certain rules should apply to everyone. For example, you can agree that smartphones have no place at mealtimes or set up smartphone-free family days.
Instead of simply regulating media use, it is worth consciously creating shared media experiences. A weekly movie night with the family or listening to music together at the weekend strengthens family cohesion and at the same time offers opportunities to talk about content, discover media preferences and convey values.
Have you ever seen those beautiful photos where light was used to paint or write? The pictures look spectacular and can even be taken with a smartphone.
Lightpainting translates as painting with light. This involves taking photos in low light conditions or in the dark. Flashlights, LED lights or sparklers serve as light sources. They can be used to draw pictures, symbols or letters in the air and capture them in a photo. In the process, beautiful light paintings are created. Many families have the technology to do their own light painting at home. Because light painting is possible with many smartphones.
Image source: Unsplash/Brunetto Ziosi
Light painting can be a beautiful media project with the whole family. Even small children (from about 3 years) can participate by moving light sources. Older children can learn how light painting works with a smartphone. Everyone can live out their creativity together.
All you need for such a project is a smartphone, a darkened interior (with a little experience it is possible outside) and a few colorful light sources, e.g:
You need a smartphone with a camera app that allows a longer exposure time (long exposure). You can check whether your device can do this in the camera app: Search there for a “Pro mode” or “Manual settings”. If you can set the exposure time (usually labeled “S” or “Shutter Speed”) to around 10 to 30 seconds, your smartphone is suitable. If this is not the case, there are special camera apps to download (e.g. Wow! Stuff Light Painting for Android and iOS).
A night-time activity outdoors during the summer vacations or indoors in winter will delight young and old alike. Keep in mind that it takes a little practice to get great images. With a little patience, you can create small photo projects such as a New Year’s photo with sparklers and the year, a photo of passing cars on the highway or your child as a superhero with a cape or wings. Together with your child, you are sure to come up with many creative motifs!
By the way: If you have a digital camera with a tripod, you can create even better quality light paintings. Check if you can set longer exposure times of about 30 seconds on your camera. On the website of the State Media Authority of North Rhine-Westphalia you will find a picture guide to light painting with the camera, which is also easy for children to understand.
You can also find out more about light painting and photography with children at Kamerakindern and at the Knipsclub photo community. In this KiKA video, a photo artist shows which light sources can be used to create beautiful effects.
Movie or game night! But which movies, series or computer games are suitable for the whole family? What does the age rating on the cover or before playing the digital content actually mean? Age labels are intended to protect children and young people from problematic content, but they 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, for example, or has a lasting frightening effect. The age rating changes depending on how this content is presented. In the case of games, usage risks such as in-game purchases and chat functions are also taken into account in the rating. If a film or game is not approved for a certain age, this means, for example, that it is intercepted by youth protection filters or may only be shown on television from a certain time. The age of visitors is checked in cinemas or at the point of sale. In addition to the age rating, additional information is often published that provides information at a glance about the reasons for an age rating, such as “violence” or “drugs”. On DVDs and Blu-rays, the colored stickers indicate the age rating.
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 people 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:
Every child is different and processes stressful moments differently. It therefore makes sense to combine different sources of information regarding age ratings and recommendations.
If you as a parent adhere to the age ratings, you significantly reduce the risk of your child experiencing lasting impairment. In addition, recommendations from reputable sources improve the selection of good media offerings.
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.
You should also make use of the services offered by the self-regulatory bodies, which publish a wealth of information, explanatory texts and additional information on the labels issued.
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. This way, nothing stands in the way of an entertaining movie or game night with the whole family.
Events such as wars or natural disasters often dominate the news for days on end. Children are aware of these topics – through conversations at home, at school or via the internet. However, much of the information is difficult to understand or frightening. How can children be introduced to news in an age-appropriate way?
Children should learn to understand the world. But many news formats for adults are too complex or frightening. Images of violence or disasters can be overwhelming. In addition, “fake news” and political opinion making make it difficult to distinguish between fact and fiction.
Age-appropriate guidance is important. Parents can help to classify what they have seen – and select suitable, safe offers.
There are numerous news formats on the internet especially for children – with simple language, clear explanations and without shocking images. Some children are even reporters themselves.
Recommended offers:
The children’s search engine fragFINN.de helps to find trustworthy children’s offers. The search results are filtered and age-appropriate.
Podcasts allow children to listen to news at their own pace – without scary images.
Recommended podcasts:
Young people often obtain information via social networks such as YouTube, Instagram or TikTok. However, there is also a lot of misinformation and extreme opinions out there. Reputable services that take young people seriously and communicate on an equal footing are therefore particularly important:
Even child-friendly news can be unsettling. Some children are curious, others are quickly worried. It’s not just the offer that matters, but also the conversation:
Snapchat is a free social media and chat app for sharing photos and short videos (snaps) and messages. What makes it special is that the content is only visible for a short time and then disappears automatically.
Snapchat allows users to send photos and short videos to contacts as messages or stories. These snaps are only visible for up to 24 hours and then “self-destruct”. The photos and videos can be edited with countless filters and effects. In addition to private stories from friends, there is also content from stars and brands. Snapchat is characterized by a wide range of functions:
In addition to the free version, Snapchat also offers Snapchat+ as a paid add-on. This allows children and young people to test new, not yet officially released functions in a kind of premium version – such as additional design options, more information about story views or new options for designing their avatar, the so-called “BitMoji”.
The app is one of the most popular applications among teenagers aged 13 and older. Teenagers love to use Snapchat to communicate with their friends. For this purpose, images and videos are simply sent instead of text. The use of fun filters, videos that can be accompanied by music and even disappearing messages are what make the app so appealing. Snapchat appears more youthful and playful than Instagram, for example. Communication seems more private to young people, as content is only exchanged with individual contacts or in groups. People are shown as avatars on the “Snap Map”, which makes it look like a game.
The content on Snapchat does not disappear completely, but is simply no longer directly visible after a certain period of time. However, with a little technical knowledge, they can be restored to the device. Images can also be easily saved using a screenshot or screen recording. Although the sender usually receives a notification about this, this can also be avoided with certain tricks.
It can be problematic when children and young people send very personal or even intimate images and videos – these could be used against them in cyberbullying, for example. As a lot of content is sent on a daily basis, it is difficult to control. It is therefore important that users know how to block contacts or report content, especially unwanted messages. The “Snap Map”, which updates your location every time you open the app, is also critical – this makes it easy to draw conclusions about your place of residence, school or hobbies.
Certain content can also be problematic for children and young people. This includes images that are not age-appropriate as well as inappropriate advertising or snaps of brands and products.
Snapchat has a reward system with emojis. Small symbols appear next to the names of contacts to show how close a friend you are with someone. For example, a flame with a number means how many days in a row you have sent snaps to each other. According to the latest JIM study, one in three young people collect Snapchat flames every day. Such emojis can put pressure on children and young people to send pictures every day in order to “maintain” friendships in the app.
According to the terms and conditions of the provider Snap Inc., the use of Snapchat is only permitted for young people aged 13 and over with their parents’ permission. However, there is no technical verification of the age information.
The distribution of adult content (e.g. pornography) is prohibited. Minors may not post or send nude images or sexually suggestive content. Violations can be reported via the Snapchat Safety Center. Users can block and report others; violations of the Snapchat guidelines are reviewed by Snapchat content moderators.
According to its privacy policy, Snapchat collects a lot of data from its users, including when they use AI services such as My AI. According to the provider, the data is transmitted in encrypted form, but can be used for personalized advertising and analysis purposes and passed on to third-party providers.
Parents can use various control functions in the app via the “Family Center”.
If your child wants to use Snapchat, talk together about possible communication risks such as unwanted contacts. Go through the privacy settings together and clarify that sent pictures can be saved as screenshots. Your child should only add people they really know. The youth website Handysektor provides a good overview.
Talk to your child about the Snap Map: What are the consequences of having their location visible – and is it really necessary? The location is often shared automatically when the app is opened. This can be prevented in “ghost mode” or by revoking location sharing. If a contact uses Snapchat+, special attention should be paid to deactivating the tracking function or blocking the person if necessary.
The emoji reward system can make your child want to be online all the time – for fear of missing out(FOMO) or losing friendships. Talk to your child about this and encourage them to maintain friendships in real life and independently of apps like Snapchat.
In consultation with your child, use the control functions via the Snapchat Family Center. There you can, for example, get an overview of your child’s activities and make settings such as setting up content controls in the app or deactivating the My AI chatbot. A separate Snapchat account is required to connect to your child’s account. Your child must consent to the connection themselves. In the Snapchat Family Safety Hub you will find compact information, videos and guides on functions such as Snap Map, safety settings and age ratings.
Whether via search engines, messengers or social media – many children and young people today come across pornographic content online at an early age. This often happens by chance, sometimes out of curiosity. For parents, this is frightening at first – but an interest in sexuality is part of normal development. The important thing is that children and young people can learn how to deal with such content – if they are supported in doing so.
While pornographic content used to be available only to a limited extent and usually for a fee – for example in video stores or special magazines – it can now be accessed online at any time and often free of charge. Children and young people not only access such content via traditional porn sites – sexualized images can also be found on social networks or via messengers. A click on a picture or a random link is often enough.
Although platforms such as TikTok and Instagram do not show explicit pornography, they often contain very revealing, sexualized content that can be confusing or disturbing, especially for younger people. Internet forums such as Reddit also have sub-forums with explicit content – they are not always clearly marked as such and can be accessed with just a few clicks.
OnlyFans, originally intended for paid content, is also frequently used for erotic or pornographic posts. Although the platform is officially only accessible from the age of 18, such content also reaches other channels via screenshots, redirects or third-party providers – often without age control.
New trends around artificial intelligence are particularly controversial: with little effort, deceptively real deepfakes can be created – pornographic videos in which the face of classmates or a well-known person is inserted. This is not only a form of digital violence, but also a criminal offense. Children and young people need to know that such content is hurtful, illegal – and can have serious consequences.
In Germany, it is regulated by law that children and young people under the age of 18 may not have access to pornographic content. This is based on the Interstate Treaty on the Protection of Minors in the Media (JMStV) and the Youth Protection Act (JuSchG), which classify such content as developmentally harmful.
However, some content is not only prohibited for minors, but is generally punishable – regardless of age:
Despite these regulations, the challenge in practice is to effectively implement the protection of children and young people, especially in the digital age. Providers of pornographic content are obliged to ensure that only adults are granted access – for example through age verification systems. In practice, however, many platforms are based abroad and do not implement these controls adequately. A simple click on “I am 18” is often enough to gain access.
Since 2024, the EU’s Digital Services Act has obliged all providers to take stricter measures to protect minors. Some large platforms (e.g. Pornhub, xHamster) now block users from Europe without proof of age. Nevertheless, there are still loopholes that make it difficult to protect children and young people.
Porn is often appealing to adolescents in puberty – partly because of the ban. Many young people get information online – especially if sexuality is not discussed at home. This can lead to misconceptions:
Some young people use porn to escape from everyday life – this can develop into a habit or even an addiction.
The best protection is not an app, but an open relationship: talk to your child – even about difficult topics such as pornography. The earlier you start talking about sexuality, the less your child will have to search for it in secret.
Show interest instead of punishing. Explain that porn is staged and often has little to do with real sexuality. Make it clear that those who are informed can deal with such content more confidently and critically.
Important tips:
Use offers of help
Report content
Has your child come across problematic or illegal content? You can report these sites together:
Erotic media content or even porn is actually not for children and teenagers. But because they are curious and want to test their limits, internet offers for adults, such as OnlyFans, can be exciting from a young age.
Users can view photos and videos from other users on the OnlyFans website. Among them are also erotic and pornographic contents, which, however, are shown only after payment.
Unlike other social media platforms such as Facebook or Instagram, OnlyFans is not financed by advertising. Instead, users pay a monthly subscription fee or a one-off pay-per-view fee for content from individual providers (so-called creators) – this could be videos, photos or music. The idea is that creators respond to the wishes of their fans and also reveal personal things. Sexual content on the site does not violate the terms of use and money can be earned with revealing performances.
From lifestyle and fashion to entertainment – the platform offers content of all kinds. German celebrities have also discovered OnlyFans as a source of income. Stars such as singer Bill Kaulitz, rapper Fler and actress Anne Wünsche offer paid subscriptions on the platform. Stars and influencers advertise their paid OnlyFans content via their YouTube or Instagram channels. For young fans, this can lead to the desire to become active on the platform so that they don’t miss anything.
Although the site can be used officially only from 18 years, registration is possible without age verification. Only those who want to share content themselves must prove that they are of legal age. Children and young people can therefore register on OnlyFans, follow other users and even write private messages. They can only use the paid area if they have access to a credit card.
OnlyFans is for adult entertainment. There is also harmless content there. But the proximity to erotic and pornographic content makes it possible for children and young people to come into contact with content that is unsuitable for them. There are also sites circulating on the Internet that allegedly allow users to access OnlyFans’ paid content without paying or using a credit card.
On platforms such as OnlyFans, digital sex work is often shown as normal or even desirable. This can give children and young people the impression that showing themselves sexy or naked on the internet is not a problem. This can be dangerous: When the inhibition threshold drops, young people often no longer recognize sexual assault as such. Perpetrators can take advantage of this and try to sexually harass minors. In addition, a lot of this content shows a one-sided and stereotypical role model: women are often only supposed to be beautiful and please men – this shapes young people’s thinking.
Talk openly with your child about which social media platforms they are on and what they are doing there. They may come across content that is not yet suitable for their age, such as OnlyFans. Address the dangers and risks and explain factually why such sites are unsuitable.
Talk to your child about topics such as sexuality, self-image on the internet and how to deal with contact from strangers. Encourage your child to get help immediately if they receive unpleasant messages or contact attempts. Question content in the media together: Why is a certain image of women or men shown – and who actually benefits from this?
Older teenagers in particular want to learn about their sexuality and use erotic content from the Internet to do so. This is quite natural, but can also lead to problems. Read more in our article “Help, my child watches porn!“. If your child has already come into contact with erotic or pornographic content on the site, you should also discuss this together. Allow your child to ask questions or tell you if they are overwhelmed.
If you feel that you cannot help your child at home, do not be afraid to seek professional help, for example via digital counseling services. School psychologists can be a point of contact. The helpline Nummer-gegen-Kummer also offers a wide range of advice for children, young people and parents.
Your child plays digital games – on the computer, console or smartphone. But what do you need to bear in mind when choosing games and what helps you find your way around? This virtual parents’ evening is all about games, youth protection, age ratings and what they mean for families. Together with the Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body (USK), we will explain how age ratings for games work and what parents should pay particular attention to in order to play games safely. You will also receive practical tips on how to make everyday family life with digital games safe.
Take the opportunity to be there live and ask your questions to our experts – we will be on hand to exchange ideas and provide valuable inspiration for everyday family life!
Date: 17.09.2025 | Time: 5 to 6 pm
Speakers: Melanie Endler and Maurice Matthieu (USK)
Moderation: FSM e.V.
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.
Registration:
Scrolling, tapping, liking – social media is a constant companion, especially for young people. But adults are also familiar with this: a quick glance at the smartphone becomes an hour in the feed. This makes conscious breaks all the more important. More and more platforms are recognizing this and offering functions to help you switch off digitally. We show you what options are available – and how you as parents can promote healthy online habits together with your children.
Permanent availability, constant stimuli, uninterrupted screen time – in the long run, this overtaxes the body and mind. Switching off regularly is crucial, especially for children and young people whose brains are still developing. Too much media time can have a negative impact on sleep, concentration and well-being.
Digital breaks help to develop a more conscious approach to media. They create space for relaxation and social interaction in real life – and can also reduce stress. This is because many young people report feeling under pressure to always be “up to date” or to react immediately to news. Breaks are not about doing without, but about relaxation.
Many platforms and device manufacturers have now developed tools that can be used to limit usage times or build in time-outs. They specifically address younger target groups – but parents can also use many of the functions or activate them together.
Both platforms offer functions in their app settings that remind users to take digital breaks. Users can be notified if they exceed a certain amount of time (“Take a Break”) or set daily limits. Linked youth accounts can be managed in the Meta Family Center – including time slots and activity reports.
Good to know: Instagram occasionally automatically displays pause notifications during long scroll phases – especially for younger users.
TikTok has several protective functions, including a screen time dashboard, daily limits and reminders to take breaks. For under-18s, a maximum usage time of 60 minutes per day applies as standard – a password is required for any longer. Rest periods can also be defined, for example during homework time or at night. A weekly activity update gives young people an insight into their usage – and encourages self-reflection.
The platform offers insights into personal usage behavior under “Watch YouTube time“. The “Take a break” function can be used to activate regular reminders, for example every 15 or 30 minutes. Sleeping times can also be set, in which case no notifications are sent.
Tip: YouTube Kids also offers parent-controlled timers to automatically limit video usage.
With the “Screen time” function, parents can set daily time limits for apps, define quiet times or block certain content. All settings can be managed centrally via Family Sharing. Apple also shows detailed reports on daily and weekly usage. The “Downtime” function blocks all apps except those approved by parents – for homework or bedtime, for example.
The integrated “Digital Wellbeing” tool can be used to set time limits, pause notifications and evaluate app usage. The focus mode hides distracting apps for set periods of time – such as school hours or study sessions. Relaxation modes before going to sleep are also available.
Android devices also offer the option of pairing soothing bedtime routines with music or screen dimming.
By the way: In addition to the system’s own functions, there are also numerous apps from third-party providers that can help you use screen time more consciously – for example Forest (for iOS) or StayFree (for Android). Many of these applications work with playful elements such as reward systems: If you don’t use your smartphone for a certain amount of time, you can “plant” a digital tree or collect points.
However, experience shows that the more playful such apps are, the more likely they are to tempt you to spend more time on your screen. It is worth taking a close look at what really helps – and what is more of a distraction.
The tools can be a good start – but they are not a sure-fire success. Children (and adults) often find ways to circumvent limits or ignore notifications. That’s why it’s not just the technical solution that’s important, but the conversation about it: Why do we want to incorporate digital breaks? How do we feel after long periods of screen time – and how do we feel after a break?
For young people in particular, the use of such functions should not be seen as a punishment, but as support. It is helpful to develop rules together – and parents can also set an example.
Digital breaks are not just a children’s issue – they work best when they are anchored in the whole family. Parents can make a big difference through their own behavior. Here are a few tips:
Test together: Try out pause functions with your child – as an experiment, not as a control.
Make breaks visible: Arrange screen-free times – for example at mealtimes, in the evening or in certain rooms.
Talking about feelings: What’s stressful about being online? When is it good to take a break?
Offer alternatives: Help your child to do something nice during breaks – read, draw, go outside.
Be a role model: As an adult, remind yourself to take breaks or consciously put your smartphone away. Children are strongly influenced by what they see their parents doing.
Many children get their own smartphone during their primary school years. With it, they can do different things and have access to the Internet. In addition to many great opportunities, however, it also exposes children to risks. It is particularly important that you talk to your child about possible dangers and make safety settings on the smartphone together.
Without your child realizing it, he or she is leaving data trails by using a messenger and other apps, as well as by surfing the web. Explain to your child the various smartphone functions and how to set them sensibly: WLAN, Bluetooth and location should remain switched off by default and only be activated when absolutely necessary. For example, GPS is necessary if your child is looking for directions to a specific location using a map app. Check the app permissions in the settings together with your child. For example, you can avoid apps accessing the camera without reason or sharing data with other devices and networks. Educate your child about online scams, such as spam emails or phishing. Additional security is provided by virus scanner apps that can protect against unwanted viruses and dangers such as data theft, subscription traps or fake offers.
It is important to use codes and passwords to ensure secure use of the device and apps. Your child’s cell phone should only be used after entering a code (PIN, swipe code, etc.) to prevent strangers from accessing personal data. Set up secure password protection with your child. This also applies to registration with social media services and apps. Secure passwords consist of at least twelve characters and contain special characters and numbers in addition to letters. Depending on the device, your child’s fingerprint can also be used to unlock the device (e.g. Touch ID on iOS). Tips for creating secure passwords are available – e.g. at Handysektor. For younger children, it is recommended that at least one parent also knows the screen lock combination and password.
Security and parental control settings can be made on every smartphone in the settings. Detailed information on this can be found, among other things, in the article on technical youth media protection.
On Android, you can block the installation of apps in the Play Store or set a password for installation or in-app purchases. To do this, activate the parental control settings. You can choose which apps your child can install without a password.
iOS devices offer even more options in their own device settings. Under Screen Time you have the option to set restrictions and assign a separate code for them. You can then, for example, allow or block the use of certain apps and restrict in-app purchases with a password. Movies, music, apps and TV shows with a higher age rating can also be blocked automatically. iOS can automatically filter and hide web content in Safari and apps.
Additional apps are also recommended:
To avoid cost traps, a tariff with a limited data volume can be useful. Make sure you also make certain settings for your child’s privacy and safety on social media apps and use Instagram safely, for example. Here you can specifically regulate the visibility of your child’s profile and the basic contact options. Some platforms offer a safer alternative mode for minors – e.g. the accompanied mode on TikTok.
We also recommend installing the fragFINN app. This children’s search engine offers a protected surfing area with tested websites. This way you can ensure that your child can only access age-appropriate and safe content, both for school research and for leisure activities.
For more information on safe smartphone settings, it’s worth visiting medien-kindersicher.de. Here you will find helpful, technical protection solutions for all your child’s devices, services and apps explained step by step.
Also remember to carry out regular software updates on your child’s smartphone to close security gaps and minimize the risk of viruses, for example
Smartphones come with some features to make chatting, surfing the web and using apps safer for your child. However, these settings on the device or parental control apps are no substitute for parental supervision. Your child should always understand why certain websites or apps should be blocked or why GPS tracking should remain deactivated. Also, always base your control and safety on your child’s age and development. Especially with teens, don’t intrude too much on your child’s privacy. However, always try to stay in conversation with your child and be there as a point of contact for questions or uncertainties.
Minecraft Legends is an action-packed strategy game in which players lead an army of different creatures to defend the beautiful island world from the hostile pig creatures. The game is designed for planning, resource management and tactical battles and appeals to experienced children and young people.
Minecraft Legends is a real-time strategy game from the Minecraft-universe. The game world is built from the familiar Minecraft blocks. However, the gameplay is more focused on tactics and teamwork than the classic Minecraft building and exploration. The spin-off game particularly appeals to players who enjoy a mixture of strategy and action.
Minecraft Legends offers both a single-player and a multiplayer mode.
Players take on the role of heroes and lead an army of different Minecraft creatures on their mounts. The aim is to protect the overworld from the threat of the “Piglins” (hostile pig creatures) from the underworld. Players liberate villages, build castles and walls and destroy enemy fortresses. To do this, they must collect resources and make strategic decisions to fend off the enemy hordes.
Minecraft Legends is popular with children and young people because it takes elements from the popular Minecraft universe and turns them into an exciting and accessible strategy game. Players act in a familiar world and play with the familiar Minecraft block creatures. At the same time, they use their creativity and strategic skills to defeat the enemy Piglins. The ability to take on opponents in epic battles and cooperate with friends makes it a fun multiplayer experience. At the same time, the game offers enough depth to keep players hooked. The mix of adventure, teamwork and tactical challenges is particularly appealing to experienced Minecraft and strategy players.
The mixture of real-time strategy and action is a playful challenge and can be particularly overwhelming for younger players. As there are neither detailed instructions nor a clear learning path for how to proceed, access is rather difficult for beginners. The strategic elements require tactical thinking and well thought-out planning. The fast-paced battle with the Piglins is sometimes so challenging that it can frustrate inexperienced players.
Minecraft Legends offers single-player content, but places a strong focus on multiplayer mode. Children and young people can use it to get in contact with other players and are confronted with communication risks. The violence in the game is presented in a classic Minecraft setting and does not contain any brutal depictions. Nevertheless, the frequent confrontation with opponents could be unpleasant or unsettling for sensitive children. Minecraft Legends features a marketplace where additional skins and mounts can be purchased for real money. There are also paid seasonal expansions (DLC).
The privacy policy and terms of use are available in German on the Minecraft website. Data is adequately protected in compliance with the GDPR.
Minecraft Legends is linked to a Microsoft account that parents can use to set up parental controls.
Minecraft Legends is a complex game that is particularly suitable for experienced children and young people aged 12 and over. Make sure you offer your child age-appropriate games and agree on clear rules for using games in the family.
The game can present some challenges. Although the violence in Minecraft Legends is presented in a more child-friendly way, the game contains many warlike elements. Watch your child to see how they cope with the conflicts and battles in the game and be there to support them.
Technical protective measures can help to make your child’s gaming experience safer. Various functions can be set via the parental controls in the Microsoft account:
You can find more information about the Microsoft account settings at medien-kindersicher.de
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!
Playing, chatting, researching – children are out and about in the digital world from an early age. While parents can still closely supervise children of kindergarten or early primary school age, children from the age of around 10 often have their own devices. So how can parents know what their children are doing online and protect them from unsuitable content and dangers? Many families use parental control apps for this purpose.
Parental control apps come in a variety of flavors. They help to regulate usage times, make settings on the child’s device or block certain websites and content. GPS tracking of the device – and therefore the child – is also possible. This should not be about monitoring and control, but about protecting and guiding your child. Below we present some apps and their advantages and possible limitations.
Before you decide on an app, it is important to discuss the framework conditions and requirements with your child. Do you primarily want to set the screen time or use GPS functions for the way to school, for example? Or is it about choosing the content that your child can use? Be sure to discuss such questions together and then select an app and suitable settings that you have agreed on together – because only if your child understands the rules and your reasons will they accept them and stick to them.
The app, which regularly receives good ratings from Stiftung Warentest, costs around 15 euros a year for one device and works on Android smartphones and Windows PCs. Parents can set individual time limits and restrictions for individual apps and websites. Unwanted sites can also be blocked using filters. The app also provides insight into the child’s usage behavior. However, anonymized data is forwarded to third parties – this could potentially be misused through possible data leaks.
This free app from Google can be used on Android and iOS devices as well as PCs. Parents link it to their child’s Google account. App downloads, internet usage and screen time can be managed centrally. Parents can track which apps and content their child is using via a reporting area. The settings are valid across all devices. However, a Google account is required to use the app and personal data is stored in the Google Cloud. Older children can sometimes find instructions online on how to bypass protective functions.
On Apple devices, the parental control settings are integrated directly into the operating system. Parents can approve downloads and purchases, set usage times and filter content such as websites or apps based on age ratings. A location check is also possible. An Apple ID account is required for this. The data is stored in the Apple Cloud, just like Google.
The service works on Windows PCs and Android devices. A Microsoft account is required for use, which is used to link the family members. Schedules, content filters and purchase restrictions can be set for the entire children’s account. In addition, locations can be shared and whereabouts can be saved – although this is very intrusive in terms of privacy. Microsoft emphasizes data protection, but parents should carefully consider which functions are really necessary.
This app works across all devices and costs between 30 and 40 euros per year as a subscription. Parents can set screen time, set up media breaks and locate the devices. There is a separate app for children with an overview of their own usage behavior and an emergency button for problematic content. The app does not provide detailed content reports and only transmits general usage data, but promises to reliably filter harmful content. Those who want more control and insight may reach their limits here.
JusProg is the only state-approved youth protection program in Germany. The app runs on all common operating systems, is free of charge and ad-free and places particular emphasis on data protection. The focus is on filtering Internet content according to age. Usage times can also be restricted. However, it is not possible to monitor or locate the child with JusProg – the app clearly sees itself as an educational tool, not a control tool.
JusProg cooperates with fragFINN, among others. The children’s search engine app also only shows verified child-friendly content – and can also be used without registration.
Important for all apps: control and technical protective measures are no substitute for media education. First and foremost, children need guidance, open discussions and support in learning how to use digital media competently. Talk to your child about rules for media use, fears and experiences. Decide together what content is allowed and explain your decisions. Show an interest in what your child uses – and how it makes them feel. This way, you will also notice early on if your child is confronted with risks such as cyberbullying, abusive contacts or problematic content. Because it can happen – despite all the technical precautions.
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.
