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!
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.
A quick game of cards on the bus, quickly mowing the lawn at the supermarket checkout, jumping on trains while waiting for your meal in the restaurant or puzzling out words together on the sofa in the evening. This is how casual games work – simple digital games. They range from small mobile games like Candy Crush to big console titles like Mario Party. What they all have in common is that they are easily accessible, entertaining and often particularly beginner-friendly. They are simple, fast and always accessible. But they are not completely problem-free.
The term “casual games” means occasional games. Their most important characteristics are
Well-known examples include Candy Crush, Quizduell, Subway Surfer and Mahjong. But also Stardew Valley or Animal Crossing also count as casual games due to their relaxed gameplay and broad target group. These games are now so popular that more than half of people in Germany play them at least occasionally. In 2023, 5.1 billion euros in sales were generated across Germany with these small games.
Casual games are also frequently found in families. Thanks to their simple design, they appeal to all family members and have fans in all age groups. Even family members who are not real gamers are often enthusiastic about the “little gaming experience in between”. In many casual games, players can connect with each other, play against each other or help each other. This creates a shared experience that brings the family together. But solo games such as Unpacking or A Little to the Left also invite you to think, organize and relax – without any time pressure or pressure to perform. Some games promote skills such as responsiveness, logical thinking or problem-solving and are therefore an entertaining and educational pastime for children and young people.
Despite all the fun, as parents you should always keep an eye on the problematic aspects of so-called “handbag games” – and discuss these with your child:
Casual games can be a great way to pass the time while waiting for the bus – without any unwanted side effects.
They have been around since the turn of the millennium – but they have only become an integral part of everyday life in recent years, especially since the coronavirus pandemic: podcasts. Almost half of people in Germany regularly listen to podcasts – young people even more than adults. Many formats are aimed specifically at young people, others more at adults.
Podcasts are audio broadcasts that you can listen to or subscribe to online – similar to radio broadcasts, but more flexible: you can listen to them anytime and anywhere. The name is made up of “pod” (playable on demand) and “cast” (broadcast).
In addition to classic audio podcasts, there are also video podcasts or formats that combine both. Most podcasts appear regularly in series form – with a fixed topic, such as sport, culture or news. Sometimes the episodes are self-contained, sometimes they build on each other.
Audio formats are practical: they are easy to listen to on the go and can quickly relieve boredom. There are podcasts in which people talk casually about their everyday lives or “God and the world” – and others that deal specifically with certain topics. Many young people like podcasts because they are both entertaining and informative. Listening to podcasts often creates the feeling of being particularly close to the podcasters – especially when they talk about personal things. This sometimes has a similar effect to influencers on social media.
There are many podcasts that are deliberately made for young people and are dedicated to youth topics. Often, the “hosts” (i.e. the people who lead through the podcast) are very much in the foreground. Young people then listen not only because of the content, but above all because of the person, for example when influencers have their own podcasts. Podcasts such as “Dick & Doof“, “Hobbylos” or “Gemischtes Hack” are very popular with young people. But true crime podcasts are also popular, i.e. formats in which real criminal cases are told, such as in “Mordlust” or “ZEIT Verbrechen“.
Unlike videos or games, podcasts do not yet have to be labeled with an age rating in order to protect minors. Labelling has long been considered, but the sheer number of podcasts makes it difficult to implement. So anyone can produce and publish a podcast – with any content. Therefore, regularly ask what podcasts your child listens to and find out about them.
Another point: Many podcasts contain advertising – it is often spoken directly by the hosts and is not always clearly recognizable. Advertising can have an influence, especially on young people. Many podcasts are financed by advertising.
In addition, platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Deezer automatically suggest new content based on listening behavior. Not all suggested formats are age-appropriate. Keep a watchful eye – or discover suitable content together with your child.
Podcasts aimed specifically at young people are usually ad-free, have an age recommendation and deal with topics that interest young people. But there are definitely podcasts that don’t have a specific age recommendation, but are still well suited for teens. Here are a few tips:
You can find more tips for podcasts for young people at Webhelm and the city magazine Känguru.
Egal ob witzige Tierbilder mit Sprechblasen, verfremdete Pressefotos oder neu interpretierte Szenen aus Filmen und Serien – Memes sind heutzutage überall im Internet zu finden. Memes werden durch das Teilen in sozialen Netzwerken schnell sehr bekannt und sind auch bei Kindern und Jugendlichen beliebt. Sie spiegeln Humor und Gruppenzugehörigkeit wider, können aber auch problematische Inhalte transportieren und verbreiten.
Ein Bild, ein Video oder ein Filmausschnitt wird dann zum Meme, wenn es aus seinem ursprünglichen Kontext gerissen und mit einem neuen, oft humorvollen Text versehen wird. Besonders lustig sind Memes, wenn man das Original kennt – denn der Witz entsteht meist aus der überraschenden Kombination von Bekanntem und Neuem. Der Text ist dabei häufig ironisch gemeint.
Hinter Memes steckt oft eine kreative Idee, die immer wieder neu interpretiert wird und sich stetig weiterentwickelt. Memes werden auch genutzt, um Gefühle zu zeigen oder auf aktuelle politische und gesellschaftliche Themen aufmerksam zu machen. Berühmte Persönlichkeiten wie Goethe oder Napoleon oder Figuren aus Filmen und Comics bekommen neue, zeitgemäße Aussagen in den Mund gelegt. So wird aktueller Bezug zur heutigen Wirklichkeit hergestellt.
Das Besondere an Memes ist, dass dieselben Bilder immer wieder verwendet und mit einem neuen Text versehen werden. Ein bekanntes Beispiel ist „Hide the Pain Harold“ (Deutsch: „Verbirg den Schmerz, Harold“), das diesem Artikel als Beitragsbild dient. Dieses Meme zeigt den Ungarn Arató András mit einem gequälten Lächeln und wurde zu einem der bekanntesten Reaktionsbilder im Internet.
Es gibt verschiedene Meme-Formate: Ein klassisches Beispiel ist ein Bild mit einem witzigen Spruch in großer, weißer Schrift. Andere Memes bestehen aus Screenshots von Chats, Comic-Zeichnungen oder kurzen Videoclips. Viele Memes folgen bestimmten Vorlagen oder Trends. Wer sich in der Meme-Welt auskennt, erkennt diese Muster sofort.
Für viele Jugendliche sind Memes weit mehr als bloße Unterhaltung – sie gehören fest zu ihrer (digitalen) Sprache. Mit Memes können sie Stimmungen, Gedanken oder Meinungen ausdrücken. Durch Ironie und Übertreibung lassen sich auch schwierige oder unangenehme Themen leichter ansprechen. Wer aktuelle Memes kennt oder selbst gestaltet, zeigt Zugehörigkeit zur eigenen Peer-Group.
Zudem fördern sie die Kreativität: Jugendliche probieren sich aus in Bildbearbeitung, Sprache und der Verbindung zu Trends in Social Media und Popkultur. Da Memes schnell erstellt und geteilt werden können, bieten sie eine einfache Möglichkeit, sich humorvoll und individuell mitzuteilen. Die visuelle Kommunikation ist ihnen ohnehin vertraut – Emojis, GIFs und Bilder ersetzen oft ganze Texte. Und da Kinder und Jugendliche gerne lachen und scherzen, treffen Memes genau ihre Vorlieben und verbreiten sich entsprechend schnell. Memes sind so beliebt, dass sie auch in der Offline-Welt präsent sind – zum Beispiel als Party-Kartenspiele oder Pausenhofgespräche.
Auch wenn viele Memes harmlos oder lustig wirken, können sie problematische Inhalte transportieren. Manche Memes enthalten diskriminierende, rassistische oder sexistische Aussagen, machen sich über Minderheiten lustig oder verbreiten Verschwörungstheorien und politische Propaganda. Extremistische Gruppen nutzen Memes, um ihre Ideologien zu verbreiten – gerade bei Jugendlichen, die oft nicht hinterfragen, welche Botschaft dahintersteckt.
Oft werden sie anonym erstellt und rasant weiterverbreitet – ohne Rücksicht auf Urheberrechte oder die abgebildeten Personen. Besonders kritisch wird es, wenn Menschen durch Memes bloßgestellt oder herabgewürdigt werden, etwa wegen eines sichtbaren Handicaps. Wenn sich solche Inhalte stark verbreiten, kann das für die betroffenen Personen große negative Folgen haben.
Sie müssen kein*e Meme-Expert*in sein, um Ihr Kind gut zu begleiten – ein grundlegendes Verständnis reicht aus, um im Gespräch zu bleiben. Zeigen Sie Interesse an der Mediennutzung Ihres Kindes. Fragen Sie ruhig nach: Welches Meme ist gerade angesagt? So entsteht ein offener Austausch – auch über problematische oder verletzende Inhalte.
Sprechen Sie mit Ihrem Kind über einen respektvollen Umgang miteinander im Netz, die Grenzen von Humor und mögliche Diskriminierung. Unterstützen Sie es dabei, Inhalte kritisch zu hinterfragen: Wer steckt hinter einem Meme? Welche Botschaft wird vermittelt? Welche Wirkung kann es auf andere haben? Gehen Sie dabei mit gutem Beispiel voran: reflektieren Sie Ihre eigene Online-Kommunikation kritisch und sprechen Sie mit gemeinsam mit Ihrem Kind über Ihre Erfahrungen.
Auch Menschen, die sich für eine wertschätzende Kommunikationskultur im Netz engagieren, nutzen Memes, um Hass und Extremismus etwas entgegenzusetzen – eine Sammlung solcher Memes finden Sie zum Beispiel auf dem Instagram-Profil von Gustaver der Liebe.
Wenn Sie und Ihr Kind gern Memes anschauen oder teilen, werfen Sie gemeinsam einen kritischen Blick auf die Inhalte. Oder gestalten Sie selbst kreative und lustige Memes, zum Beispiel mit dem Online-Tool Meme Generator von imgflip.com oder der App Mematic. Das macht Spaß und fördert die Medienkompetenz.
Imgflip
Children and young people are enthusiastic about mobile, computer and console games on platforms such as Xbox, PC, Playstation or Nintendo Switch. The “Games in the family” information service from the Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb) offers educational assessments of popular games and helps parents keep track of them.
The offer includes a selection of game reviews – from particularly popular titles to games with a learning effect. In addition to the game description, the reviews also contain information on genre, game mode (e.g. single or multiplayer), playing time, recommended age group and supported platforms. This makes it easier for parents to assess whether a game is suitable for their everyday family life. In addition, each review provides an educational assessment that highlights learning objectives and potential risks such as violent content or an excessive reward system.
In addition to the game ratings, “Games in the Family” offers a compact parents’ guide that answers questions about the everyday use of media and video games. For example:
An extensive glossary also explains important terms from the gaming world – from “loot boxes” to “open world”.
Young people can find out about current games and thus better assess for themselves which game is suitable for their age. This promotes their media skills and helps them to reflect on their own gaming preferences.
The educational assessments of the bpbdiffersignificantly in some cases from the age ratings of the USK. While the USK looks at content risks (e.g. violence or scary moments) and usage risks (e.g. chats or in-game purchases) on the basis of the German Youth Protection Act, the bpb takes into account factors such as game depth, emotional impact and understanding of age.
A game can be approved by the USK from the age of 6, but only be recommended by the bpb from the age of 12, for example because it contains complex content or online interactions.
Ideally, take several factors into account when choosing a game. Every child develops individually and reacts differently. Get different opinions, talk to other parents and try out games yourself if possible. Accompany your child in everyday play, talk about game content – and listen to why a game fascinates.
Don’t ban digital games outright, explain your concerns. This will help your child understand why they are not (yet) allowed to play a certain game.
The bpb offers a supplementary event format with the Parents’ LAN: parents’ evenings, which usually take place from 7.20 p.m. to 10 p.m., where adults can play games themselves to learn about the fascination and challenges of digital games. With pedagogical support, we discuss how media education can succeed – also in dialog with children.
In addition to the “Games in the family” service, it is also worth taking a look at the NRW games guide, a comprehensive information portal for the educational evaluation of digital games. It is also aimed at parents, professionals and young people and is compiled by media educators together with young players.
The former website www.spielbar.de was integrated into the website of the Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb) at the beginning of 2025. Content that was previously available on Spielbar is now part of ” Games in the family“. The new service offers a better overview, an improved search function and new formats – such as video reviews. Anyone who wants to use games specifically in schools or political education will also find the new ” Games for political education“.
Building your own worlds from building blocks, slipping into imaginative roles and completing exciting missions – the online gaming platform Roblox is still very popular with young people. As it also includes chat functions and some people earn money with their games, Roblox combines gaming, social media and creative design on one platform – which is why it has been rated 16+ since January 2025.
The two words Robots and Blocks together make up the name of the Roblox gaming platform. Here you can create and play virtual worlds in Lego style, which is particularly popular with young people. Roblox is a mixture of game world and social network and is reminiscent of Minecraft.
After registering on roblox.com, players receive a pre-made game character (avatar) that they can customize as they wish. Clothes or a different hairstyle are free of charge. Some extra accessories cost money in the form of their own currency Robux. Functions such as creating games as well as playing games themselves are freely available.
Many young people love the game because they can easily develop their own games. Registered users can create their own games with the “Roblox Studio” building tool and share them with others. Simple structures can be designed, but also complex worlds of experience such as cities and amusement parks. In the Roblox community, young people can let off steam creatively and chat with each other.
Roblox is particularly popular with young game developers, as they can create and publish their own games there. If a game is played frequently by other users and money is invested, there is a chance that the developers – your child, for example – will also earn a share.
In January 2025, the Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body(USK) raised the age rating for Roblox from 12 to 16. There were several key reasons for this decision:
In addition, the USK criticized the lack of effective precautionary measures on the part of the platform operators, such as insufficiently secured children’s accounts and the lack of age ratings in accordance with German standards. Due to these aspects, the age rating was adjusted to ensure the protection of minors and provide parents with better guidance.
The provider Roblox Corporation emphasizes on its platform that it takes security and data protection very seriously. There is a reporting system for inappropriate chat messages and a chat filter. After registration, an account is automatically created in “data protection mode” for users under the age of 13. Younger players will then not have access to the social media functions, for example. Some games are also only released from a certain age. Moderators check whether uploaded image and video material meets the requirements for youth-friendly content. Inappropriate content is actively filtered and deleted. However, all of this assumes that the player’s age has been truthfully stated when registering.
Roblox offers various safety functions that allow you to keep a better eye on your child’s play. Parents can find out more about parental controls on the Roblox website.
Roblox is repeatedly accused of not sufficiently moderating both the content and the communication between users and of not taking consistent enough action against violations of the community guidelines. For example, young people may come across discriminatory and extremist content in the games.
In principle, the state does not use age labels to specify which media content parents may allow their children to play at home. Nevertheless, you should make sure that you only provide your child with games that are suitable and approved for their age. You should therefore pay attention to the 16+ label.
If your child is under the age of 16 and already has a Roblox account, you are not obliged to delete the account due to the age upgrade. However, it is advisable that you look into the changed age rating and the reasons for it and decide whether the platform is still suitable for your child. If you do not want to ban use completely, you can, for example, check the account restrictions together and adjust them if necessary. Talk to your child about the age rating and why it has been adjusted. If you decide that your child should delete an existing Roblox account, also talk to them about this and explain your reasons. If you are already using a parental control program, depending on the settings, programs with an age rating of 16 and above may be automatically blocked.
Register and create a profile together with your child and discover the Roblox game world together. Talk to him about his gaming experiences. Let them show you what your child plays and ask why they like certain games and who they socialize with.
Set the account so that your child is shown games that are as age-appropriate as possible. Use a parent PIN so that only you can change the settings. Also keep an eye on the in-app purchases made. Advise your child not to disclose any private data via the platform. Educate your child about communication risks online and encourage them to block and report suspicious or unpleasant contacts. Chat options can be limited or even disabled and age visibility can be turned off. You can also find all important steps for parental control at Roblox on medien-kindersicher.de.
Whether in series and manga, in video games and social media or in the world of celebrities – young people encounter figures and characters everywhere that inspire them. Whether superheroes like Spider Man, game characters like Ahri, anime characters like Levi Ackerman or stars like Billie Eilish – teenagers regard a wide variety of media figures as their role models and look up to them.
Do you remember how enthusiastically your child told you about his favorite characters from movies and television a few years ago? From an early age, children are guided by their favorite media characters. Young people also look for role models not only in their immediate environment of family, friends or clubs, but increasingly in the media offerings they use.
Forming one’s own identity is one of the most important tasks in adolescence. Media content and characters take on important functions for young people. In this way, media role models can help people develop their own values. They can not only offer young people orientation and support, but even inspire them to try out and experiment with different identities and roles. It is character traits such as courage, honesty, loyalty, sincerity and perseverance that go down particularly well with young people. But they are also fascinated by characters who are particularly funny or original or who pursue big goals.
It is particularly important for teenagers to share information about their media idols, which creates a sense of community. Often, clothing, (youth) language or hobbies, but also media use itself, show which media role models they feel close to. Youth cultures, such as e-boys and e-girls, are popular among young people, and by belonging to such currents they also distinguish themselves from one another within their peer group.
In addition to a large number of fictional characters from films, series, games and books, real people from the media world also inspire young people. These can be celebrities from the film and music industry or social media stars. With this variety of media figures, it can happen that one loses the overview. Here are a few examples:
Parents don’t have to like their children’s media idols. Nevertheless, talk to your child about their media heroes. Ask which of their character traits your child particularly likes.
Media also feature figures who are not well suited as role models. They may model problematic behaviors or teach questionable values. Sometimes they reproduce stereotypical gender images, prejudices or clichés that result in a false or incomplete worldview. Media role models play an important role in forming political opinions, but they do not always live up to their responsibility. Young people are particularly susceptible to populism, extremism and disinformation during the orientation phase. This is especially true when such content comes from their favorite influencers. The role model function of internet stars can also become questionable in connection with advertising. For example, when popular influencers promote products, this can sometimes be done indirectly or covertly.
Talk to your child about critical behaviors and clarify stereotypes. Remain neutral and unbiased when asking questions and engage with their world of media role models. Maybe it helps if you remember your own youth and your idols. How did you feel at that time?
False reports, “fake news”, alternative facts or conspiracy myths – you hear these terms again and again when it comes to news and information on the internet. But they don’t necessarily mean the same thing. We explain the differences between the terms – and what you should look out for as a parent.
Disinformation is content that is demonstrably false or misleading – and is spread deliberately. It often appears credible at first glance because it is packaged in a story, contains individual true facts or is presented in a highly emotionalized way.
The aim of disinformation is to unsettle people, influence certain opinions or create a targeted mood – for example against individual groups or political decisions. It is often also about economic interests, for example through advertising revenue on dubious websites. Disinformation becomes particularly problematic when it undermines trust in science, the media or democratic processes. It can therefore pose a serious threat to democracy.
Especially in times of crisis, such as during the coronavirus pandemic or in connection with the war against Ukraine, disinformation plays a major role.
“Fake news” is a term that is often used in everyday life – usually as a synonym for disinformation. Literally translated, it means “fake news”.
However, the term is also deliberately used to denigrate critical reporting in serious media or to discredit political opponents.
It is therefore important to check carefully whether it really is a deliberately manipulated message – or whether the term is only being used to devalue another opinion.
Tip: When children or young people talk about “fake news”, ask what exactly they mean by this – and look at the source together.
A good introduction to the topic is the Inform” module from the Genial Digital material of the German Children’s Fund. Here, children learn in a playful way how to better assess and question information on the Internet.
False information is content that is not correct – but is passed on without intention. For example, because someone has misunderstood something or shared outdated information.
Mistakes can also occur in the media, for example in research or translation. In the past, this was sometimes called a “newspaper hoax”. It is important that such errors are corrected later.
Satire is an artistic form used to exaggerate social or political issues, for example in the heute-show, the Postillon or in memes.
Sometimes satire works with similar means as disinformation – such as exaggeration or simplification. However, it is not intended to deliberately deceive people.
The aim of satire is to criticize and make people think. Children and young people sometimes need help to classify satire correctly – talk about it together.
Propaganda means that information and messages are disseminated in a targeted manner in order to steer public opinion in a certain direction.
This can happen through language, images, music or even misinformation. Propaganda is often used in political conflicts – in the past on posters or on the radio, today also via social media and messenger services.
Conspiracy myths claim that secret groups or powers are behind major events. These stories offer simple explanations for complex relationships – without providing any scientific evidence or proof.
For example:
Such myths divide the world into “good” and “evil” – and often make certain groups responsible for everything. It becomes dangerous when they stir up hatred and mistrust or undermine faith in science and democracy.
These stories are not scientific theories, but are based on unsubstantiated claims. This is why experts deliberately refer to them as conspiracy myths or conspiracy narratives – and not as “conspiracy theories”.
TikTok is part of everyday life for many children and young people. They watch short videos, are entertained, get information or post content themselves. Many parents don’t know exactly what they are watching or posting there – and are worried. This makes it all the more important to know the app’s security settings – and to stay in touch.
With the “Accompanied Mode” (also known as “Family Pairing”), TikTok offers the option of controlling certain functions of the app on the child’s account together. These include:
Additional protective functions take effect automatically, depending on the age specified in the profile:
According to the terms of use, TikTok is permitted from the age of 13. Parental consent is required for children under the age of 16.
Tip: Children can also view TikTok in the browser without an account – so they can get started carefully without posting or commenting on content themselves.
Proceed as follows if you want to activate Accompanied mode:
You can adjust these settings
Make sure that your child gives the correct date of birth when registering. Only then will age-appropriate protective measures take effect. Check the data protection settings together and explain why a private account makes sense. Older teenagers should also consider whether they want to show their content publicly.
As a parent, you cannot directly track which videos your child is watching or who they are writing to. Messages or comments are not visible to you – so your child’s privacy is protected as far as possible. This makes mutual trust and the question: Can your child already use media consciously and safely?
Make sure you regularly discuss together whether the settings you have made are still suitable or should be adjusted. Don’t make decisions over your child’s head, but together with them. This will encourage understanding and personal responsibility. Also explain which aspects of the app you view critically and which rules apply to its use in your family.
Keep the conversation going: Ask what ‘s hot on TikTok at the moment, what your child is interested in or which influencers they find exciting. This way you stay close – and your child feels taken seriously.
Remember: TikTok collects data about usage behavior. Talk to your child about how personalized content, advertising and in-app purchases work – and consider together which data protection settings make sense.
You can find more information about TikTok here.
Whether in social media feeds, messengers or podcasts – we are flooded with countless messages, reports and stories online every day. Sometimes it is not so easy to distinguish between truth and deception. Teaching children and young people how to recognize false information on the internet is a real challenge. This article offers practical advice on this and explains how you can talk to your child about it.
Fake news spreads particularly quickly in uncertain times. We humans are already unsettled and even experts and politicians don’t have all the answers – such as during the coronavirus crisis or wars. “Fake news” deliberately spreads rumors or even hateful reports that are intended to stir up fears and deliberately deceive us. They often offer simple explanations and can give the feeling of security. But they are not true.
These fake news items are often so cleverly crafted that they appear to be legitimate news at first glance. People who believe “fake news” share it further, so that more and more people fall for it. The problem with this is that the more often such content is clicked on, the more often it is displayed – and the more people believe it to be true. This can be problematic, especially when it comes to political posts with an extremist or populist background or when conspiracy myths are spread.
Content that can unsettle or frighten younger children in particular is also problematic. Deep fake videos in particular look deceptively real. It is therefore important to understand that not all information on the Internet is true and to know the differences between disinformation, false reports and satire.
Recognizing whether it is actually disinformation or false reports can be a tricky task. Therefore, it is helpful to follow clear steps to curb the spread of disinformation:
Source verification
Check where the message came from and who wrote it. Are the authors well-known and experts on the topic? Is it a reputable website?
Fact check
Try to verify the message with different sources. Ask yourself how up-to-date the information is and check where the figures and data mentioned come from as well as the context in which they were collected.
Checking the message form
Pay attention to the way the message is presented. Is the language serious and factual, or is emotional language and excessive capitalization used? Does the article contain catchwords such as “lying press” or similar provocative terms? Could the article be meant satirically?
Verify evidence
Make sure photos and videos match the message and are up-to-date. Pay attention to captions and whether they actually represent what is being described or are from another context.
Joint fact check
Discuss news and messages together as a family. Your child should understand that not everything on the internet can be sent via WhatsApp or comes from an AI chatbot has to be true. If you check messages together, it can gradually learn to distinguish true from false. Ask for your child’s opinion and share your own thoughts. This way, you and your child can be safer and better prepared to recognize and counteract false information on the Internet.
Here are some tips on where you can check messages and how you and your child can learn how to use them in a fun way:
Thrilling battles, epic dungeons and exciting stories full of secrets – that’s what players can expect in Minecraft Dungeons. The adventure role-playing game from the Minecraft-universe appeals particularly to older children and teenagers who love action and are looking for quick rewards.
Minecraft Dungeons is an action-adventure game in the popular Minecraft universe. It is characterized by the Hack&Slay style – a genre that thrives on fast, action-packed battles with many opponents. In contrast to the classic Minecraftwhich focuses primarily on creativity and sandbox elements, Minecraft Dungeons focuses on combat and adventure. In computer games, a dungeon is an underground or abandoned area that can be explored by players. These dungeons are often filled with obstacles, enemies and puzzles that must be overcome in order to gain rewards or progress in the game.
Minecraft Dungeons is a bird’s eye view game. Players embark on an epic journey to save the world from the evil Arch-Illager, who threatens the land with his dark power. A central gameplay element is the collection of equipment and weapons. Over the course of the game, players will find many different types of armor, swords, bows and magical artefacts that improve their abilities and help them defeat stronger enemies. Particularly interesting is the loot system, which provides constant rewards and significantly increases the replay value of the game. Minecraft Dungeons offers different levels of difficulty, allowing players to customize their own challenge.
Minecraft Dungeons is particularly popular with children because it incorporates many elements from the classic Minecraft game while offering a new and exciting experience. In Minecraft Dungeons, players take on the role of adventurers who travel through different areas to fight hordes of enemies. There are numerous dungeons to explore. Randomly generated maps make the game varied and exciting. The game can be played alone or in co-op mode with up to four players. Minecraft Dungeons is easily accessible and not as complex as other action role-playing games. The controls are simple, so even younger children can immerse themselves in the game world without much frustration.
Minecraft Dungeons includes action-packed battles against various enemies, including well-known Minecraft characters (e.g. zombies, spiders, skeletons) and other fantasy creatures. The violence in the game is depicted graphically in a rather harmless way and does not show any brutal scenes. However, the frequent confrontations with enemies could be unpleasant or unsettling for sensitive children.
Minecraft Dungeons offers the opportunity to cooperate with other players online. Although the game does not offer a direct chat function, it can be played in groups. Players often use additional platforms or apps to communicate. Children and young people can thus interact with other online players, which can entail communication risks, even if the game itself does not offer voice or text chat functions.
The game offers various purchase options for additional content, including cosmetic items such as new skins or equipment. There are also paid seasonal expansions (DLC) and packs on offer.
On the minecraft website, the privacy policy and terms of use are available in German. Data is adequately protected in compliance with the GDPR. Minecraft Dungeons is linked to a Microsoft account that parents can use to set up parental controls.
Minecraft Dungeons is an exciting game for older children and teenagers aged 12 and over, but it also presents challenges. Make sure you give your child access to age-appropriate gamesand agree on clear rules for using games in the family.
Technical precautions can help here. As a parent, you can set the following functions via the parental controls in your Microsoft account to make using Minecraft Dungeons even safer:
You can find more information about the Microsoft account settings at medien-kindersicher.de
Children and young people are growing up in a digital world in which they come into contact with online media on a daily basis. Clear rules and effective protective measures are essential to enable them to use the internet safely. The German Association for Voluntary Self-Regulation of Digital Media Service Providers (FSM e.V.) plays a central role here. We explain how the FSM shapes youth media protection and why it is so important for parents.
The FSM is a self-regulatory body recognized by the Commission for the Protection of Minors in the Media (KJM) in the area of youth media protection. It is committed to protecting children and young people from online content that is harmful to minors and supports digital media providers in the implementation of youth protection measures. It works closely with many other institutions in the field – in Germany and internationally.
The FSM pursues the goal of ensuring effective youth media protection in digital offerings. Its main tasks:
The FSM is part of the system of regulated self-regulation in Germany. It works closely with other self-regulatory bodies such as the USK (Entertainment Software Self-Regulation), the FSK (Voluntary Self-Regulation of the Film Industry) and the FSF (Voluntary Self-Regulation of Television). In this way, the self-regulatory bodies promote cooperation between companies, authorities and politicians for the effective protection of minors in the media.
The digital protection of minors is a dynamic field that constantly presents new challenges:
It is often difficult for parents to assess what content on the Internet is suitable for their children. The FSM offers support to ensure that youth media protection reaches families:
More information is available directly on the FSM website: www.fsm.de
