Whether in books, series, films or audio stories – children learn role models through the media. This is because children identify with characters that they like. Classic images are often conveyed, such as those of strong heroes and beautiful princesses. Children are guided by these role models in order to develop their own personality.
From primary school age at the latest, gender becomes increasingly important for children’s identity. In many children’s films and series, girls and boys are still portrayed differently. Studies such as the MaLisa Progress Study (2021) show: Male characters continue to be more visible than female characters in children’s television. This is particularly clear in the case of animal, fantasy, robot and machine characters – they are still predominantly portrayed as male. At the same time, there are positive developments: The proportion of female characters in German children’s television has increased and stood at 44 percent in 2020. However, when the media tell similar stories over and over again – the brave boy saves everyone, the girl is mainly beautiful or caring – this can restrict children.
Trans and non-binary people have only rarely appeared in children’s films and series to date. For the most part, children’s media continue to tell stories about girls and boys within a binary gender role model. International studies such as the See Jane 2024 study show that LGBTQIA+ characters make up only a very small proportion of popular children’s television, at one to two percent; non-binary characters are almost invisible. Yet diverse characters can help children to understand that there are different ways of living gender, family and identity.
Many media offerings also remain one-sided when it comes to the portrayal of bodies and roles. Female characters are more often shown as young, slim, beautiful or caring. Male characters appear muscular, strong and athletic and more often experience adventures or explain the world. In family stories, women are still more likely to be shown bringing up children and doing housework, while men appear more often in professional or public roles. If children and young people repeatedly see one-sided images of beauty and bodies, this can make them feel insecure – especially if they perceive these images as “normal” and compare themselves to them. Studies show: This can increase dissatisfaction with their own bodies.
Occupations help children to imagine their own future. They are also guided by characters from books, series, films or audio stories. In many stories, however, professions are still stereotypically distributed: Women are more likely to look after children, family or care. Men solve problems, experience adventures or act as experts.
This can give the impression: Some professions are more suited to girls, others to boys. But the world of work today is much more colorful. A mother can be an engineer, doctor or scientist; a father can be an educator, carer or househusband. Such examples are important because career aspirations are often influenced by role models from an early age. In addition, technology and digitalization are constantly giving rise to new professions that have hardly featured in children’s books and series to date. If a boy still wants to be a firefighter or a girl a ballerina, that is of course perfectly fine.
In many picture books, families consist of a woman, a man and one or two children. Fathers often only appear as a secondary character. However, the traditional mother-father-child model, in which the mother looks after the children and the father goes to work, is only one of many family types today. Many children have several caregivers who look after them. These include, for example, the new partners of the (separated) parents. Rainbow families with queer parents are also rarely depicted in children’s media. And where are the adults who are not in a relationship but still like to look after their friends’ or family members’ children?
If you notice any questionable gender portrayals, feel free to address them: Who gets to be strong in the story? Who cares? Who decides? In this way, children learn to question role models.
Children need different role models. A diverse range of media shows them different ways in which people can live, feel and act. Stories that break down typical role models encourage children to accept themselves and to be open, tolerant and respectful towards others. We have put together some media tips for you that show diverse gender roles and different family forms:
Diverse families
I am me: self-image and gender identity
Out of the gender pigeonhole
Strong friendships and diverse role models
You can find more media recommendations in this article and, for example, at Regenbogenfamilien München and PINKSTINKS. If you would like to know more about gender in children’s media, we recommend this brochure for parents on dealing with gender roles.
Whether tidying up, dancing or in the car – music accompanies many families in everyday life. Children often discover music with their whole body: they listen carefully, sing along, move, clap and try out sounds.
Digital offerings can be a great addition: they help you get to know new songs and instruments or get creative yourself. Even if you don’t play an instrument yourself or don’t feel particularly musical: You can still accompany your child in their musical discovery. You don’t have to sing “properly” or play music perfectly. It is enough to enjoy sounds, songs and movement together.
Children’s song videos invite you to sing and dance together and discover new favorite songs. Children’s songs on YouTube are already suitable for younger children. If you want to search for and play songs there, it’s best to use YouTube Kids. There are no advertisements before or during the videos and it is easier to find suitable content for children.
On the channel Children’s Songs with Bobby there are music videos with the llama Bobby. The colorful animated cartoons are particularly appealing to small children. The songs can also be found on the website kinderlieder-mit-bobby.de, where they are sorted into categories such as Christmas songs, music mixes and lullabies.
The channel Kinderlieder zum Mitsingen und Bewegen lives up to its name: Here, families can find a large selection of different playlists full of well-known and new children’s songs where children and adults can sing, dance and join in together.
Classical music can also be discovered in a playful way for children, with digital offers that invite them to listen, try out and join in.
Children can learn a lot about instruments and classical music on the Junge Klassik website. The site has a colorful and playful design. Conducting an orchestra, finding sound pairs, getting to know sounds – even adults are sure to discover something new.
The WDR sound box is a fun way to explore the world of music. The site is designed as a web app and therefore also works well on smartphones. There are rhythm and sound games, concert videos and many other offers. The sound box is particularly suitable for slightly older children who not only want to listen to music, but also understand and try it out.
At first glance, operas seem more like something for adults. With the Opera Maker app children immerse themselves in the world of opera, invent their own stories and set them to music. The accompanying website shows what this can look like.
The children’s website Afrika-Junior provides insights into the musical worlds of different regions of Africa. Children can listen to popular children’s songs, watch video clips and test their knowledge in a quiz on African music.
The very simply designed website Surakinder offers a musical and picture-rich world of experience for children. Behind every field is beautiful music, dancing flowers, fairy tale characters and much more. The offer is also available on YouTube.
At Auditorix, everything revolves around music, listening and DIY. Children can discover music, develop their own ideas and even learn how to build instruments. The music box contains royalty-free music, for example for your own radio play projects.
With digital music tools, children can try out sounds, invent their own rhythms and create their first little songs.
On the interactive Chrome Music Lab website, children can experiment with different rhythms and melodies and create their own little songs. There are 14 music tools available for this purpose. The site is free of charge and can be used without registration.
The GarageBand app is pre-installed on Apple devices free of charge. It offers many virtual instruments with which children can compose their own songs. The microphone can also be used to record your own voice or real instruments.
Creating your own songs from beats and music tracks is possible with the Groovepad app. Short lessons make it easy to get started. The basic version is free, but only offers limited functions. The premium version costs 14.99 euros per month or 47.99 euros per year.
Apps such as Mini Piano Lite or RealDrum: Playing drums make it possible to try out instruments virtually. They don’t replace real instruments, but they do provide an initial playful approach. They can often be used to accompany simple songs or create your own recordings.
Class chats are conducted via WhatsApp, reels are shared on Instagram and people organize themselves in sports clubs via Facebook groups. Many children and young people use several Meta services every day, often without realizing that they all belong to the same company. It is helpful for parents to understand how these services are connected.
Meta Platforms was originally called Facebook Inc. and was founded in 2004. The company changed its name to Meta in 2021. The company wanted to show that it has long been offering more than just Facebook and is increasingly focusing on virtual worlds and artificial intelligence.
The company includes, among others:
The apps are free to use and are primarily financed by advertising. To do this, Meta collects a lot of information about what content users view, like, comment on or share and how long they are active. Location data, device information and interests are also included.
Meta’s various services are closely interlinked. People who use WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook at the same time leave behind a lot of information about their own usage behavior. Meta uses this information to create interest profiles for personalized advertising and recommendations.
In addition to social media, Meta is investing heavily in digital and virtual worlds. Users can immerse themselves in digital gaming or leisure worlds via the VR goggles Meta Quest. Meta is also integrating AI functions(Meta AI) directly into WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook. They can answer questions, formulate texts, generate images or summarize content. Incorrect or misleading answers are also possible.
Meta-services fulfill many needs at the same time. WhatsApp is often the most important communication channel for young people. Class chats, appointments or leisure groups usually take place directly via the messenger. Those who cannot be reached there quickly miss out on important information or feel excluded. Instagram offers entertainment and opportunities for self-expression. Likes, comments and follower numbers give many young people a sense of attention and belonging. A lot of content is automatically suggested. Reels, memes, influencer content and AI chatbots provide a constant supply. As a result, children and young people often spend significantly more time on the apps than planned.
Meta services are designed to hold your attention for as long as possible. Children and young people in particular often find it difficult to switch off as a result. Possible risks include
Younger children in particular often do not yet understand how platforms select content or why certain posts are displayed repeatedly. Advertising or AI-generated content is also often difficult for them to recognize.
Meta refers to various safety and parental control functions within the apps. These include privacy settings, reporting and blocking functions as well as parental controls for individual services such as Instagram. The company also emphasizes that AI functions should be developed responsibly. However, critics continue to criticize the extensive collection of data and the difficult-to-understand privacy settings.
Make connections visible: Explain to your child that WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and Threads all belong to the same company. Many functions, advertisements and data collections are interlinked.
Set privacy settings together: Regularly go through the privacy settings together. Among other things, check who can see content or send messages, whether the location is visible and which data is used for advertising. Public profiles, groups or AI functions should also be checked regularly.
Talk about algorithms: Children and young people should understand that platforms do not display the most important content, but often what generates attention for a particularly long time. This can be funny, but also provocative or emotionally charged content.
Question advertising and influencers: Discuss together how influencers earn money and why certain products constantly appear. A lot of advertising content appears personal or spontaneous, but is part of targeted marketing strategies.
Critically accompany AI functions: Explain to your child that AI systems are not real friends and are not neutral sources of knowledge. Answers may be incorrect or contain prejudices. Personal information should not be entered in AI chats.
Consciously organize screen time: Endless feeds and push notifications make it difficult to take conscious media breaks. Help your child to plan offline times and reduce notifications.
Remain open to discussion: Prohibitions alone are usually of little help. It is important that your child receives support in the event of unpleasant experiences and can talk openly about problematic content, conflicts or contacts.
They apply make-up, style, train and optimize themselves. They appear in children’s series, pose on TikTok and Instagram, walk down red carpets or present themselves in dating and reality shows – and always seem to look perfect. Media figures, influencers, stars and TV faces show what the “ideal” body is supposed to look like every day. This can put a lot of pressure on children and young people.
Big eyes, silky hair, defined muscles and seemingly flawless proportions: From an early age, children and young people are confronted with body images on screens that have little to do with reality. It starts with children’s television: Disney characters such as Elsa and Tarzan, the fairies from the Winx Club or superheroes such as Spiderman are often extremely slim or very athletic and muscular.
Children usually love such films and series not because of the stereotypes, but because they are exciting, funny, emotional or particularly beautifully staged. They tend to absorb the highly idealized body images in passing. However, these images can still be memorized and influence what children perceive as “normal” or “beautiful”.
For older children and teenagers, formats such as “Germany’s Next Top Model” or dating shows such as “Love Island” show very clearly what is important there: the perfect appearance. Anyone who doesn’t meet the expectations in terms of body, measurements and styling has a harder time. Success on the catwalk or in the search for intimacy and a relationship in such formats often depends on whether one’s own body conforms to the current ideals of beauty. Those who don’t fit in are sometimes publicly devalued or eliminated. This story continues on social media: Beauty, fashion and fitness influencersshow how to groom, apply make-up, dress, train and eat. Some also talk about cosmetic surgery, weight loss injections or other procedures. This often gives the impression that one’s own body is a project that needs to be constantly worked on in order to get as close as possible to a supposed ideal.
Young people often like such formats because they entertain, tell emotional stories and provide insights into topics that are important in their everyday lives: Appearance, recognition, flirting, belonging and self-presentation. They also invite people to join in the conversation – at school, with friends or on social media – and quickly become part of common conversations and trends.
These body images can be very influential, especially for children and young people. Young people look to their media for role models and ideas of how they want to be and what their lives can look like. If they are constantly surrounded by a certain body ideal, they may also develop the desire to look like this. They may even assume that personal worth depends on looking perfect – after all, this is the message that resonates in many TV formats and on social media profiles.
Children and young people are not necessarily able to recognize that body representations in the media are trimmed to perfection – staged representations and lighting, post-processing and effects create an illusion that no longer has anything to do with reality. What’s more, a lot of content on social media is now also altered, enhanced or even completely artificially generated using AI – making it even harder to recognize as edited or fake.
Trying to emulate such an ideal can lead to a lot of frustration and disappointment, to high expenditure on seemingly helpful beauty, training or nutrition products and even to tangible problems such as a disturbed body perception, psychological problems or eating disorders.
The offers are also often very gender-specific – for example, young girls are mainly shown make-up and styling tips, while boys are presented with muscles and strong heroes. In addition to the general pressure, this also reinforces clichéd ideas of gender roles.
Be aware of the body images your child is confronted with through their media use, for example via the parent guide for TV, streaming and social media services FLIMMO. Have your child show you their favorite shows or social media profiles and look together at what is being conveyed and shown. Talk about how media body images are created and why they are often not realistic.
You can also watch videos together that show how “perfect” pictures are created. If your child understands how media works and why the images on the devices are not realistic, this is a first step towards taking the pressure off. Educational resources such as this video from Funk can be helpful. You can find out more about how to deal with beauty ideals online in this article.
Create a counterbalance: use media time together and consciously watch films and series with your child that show diverse body images and don’t just use common stereotypes. You can also discover profiles together on social media that show other perspectives – and show your child that bodies can look very different.
It is very important to be aware of your role as a role model! Healthy eating habits, a friendly approach to your own body and an assessment of your own worth that goes beyond outward appearances are also shaped at home.
If you have the impression that your child is already psychologically burdened by certain body ideals, that their eating behavior is changing or that you are unsure – seek help. Talk to (school) psychologists, pediatricians or contact an anonymous counseling center such as the Nummer gegen Kummer.
Violent videos, inappropriate content or advertising: many parents worry about what their child could come into contact with in digital media. This often results in the desire to keep children away from smartphones, tablets or televisions for as long as possible. However, as digital media is present in many areas of life today, contact with it can hardly be avoided.
Many parents want their children to grow up without digital media for as long as possible. This is often based on the desire for a carefree childhood with lots of exercise, free play and direct contact with other people.
The development of basic skills is particularly important for young children: learning to speak, discovering the world around them, building relationships and gaining their own experiences. Some parents therefore fear that digital media could take up too much space in everyday life too early. Concerns about unsuitable content, advertising or excessive screen time also play a role.
Children experience at an early age that smartphones, tablets and televisions are taken for granted by adults. They see how messages are read, videos are watched and photos are sent. Children also encounter media outside the family with friends, relatives or later at nursery and school. By primary school age at the latest, digital media becomes a part of everyday life for many children. Children are curious and want to understand what is happening on screens. Especially when media is so present in their environment.
When parents try to ban media completely, it is precisely this ban that makes media particularly appealing to children. Furthermore, children only learn how to use media safely if they can gain experience. This is because media literacy does not come automatically, it develops step by step. Children have to learn to understand content, ask questions and categorize experiences. Discussions with parents play an important role in this. This is why many media education concepts do not aim to shield children completely, but to accompany them during their first media experiences.
For younger children in particular, it makes sense to use media together at first. Parents can select suitable content and explain what is happening on the screen. This creates shared media experiences that can be categorized and discussed.
This allows children to learn about media in a protected environment. Questions can be clarified directly and parents can react if children do not understand something or are frightened by content. It is not about trying out as many media offerings as possible. A small amount of age-appropriate content that is of interest to children and that they can understand is often sufficient. At the same time, other activities remain central: play, exercise, creative activities and conversations with family and friends. In addition to videos or games, children can also use media creatively, for example by taking photos or recording short stories.
Today, media is part of everyday life for many families. At the same time, this does not mean that it has to play a major role in family life.
For many families, a simple orientation helps:
In this way, children learn step by step to understand and use digital media responsibly.
Children and young people are online every day – in class chats, playing games or on social media. They need guidance and support in their everyday lives so that they can navigate safely. Laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation or youth media protection regulations create important framework conditions. However, it is also crucial that children learn to use media safely and consciously. You will find many articles on our website to help you with this.
How much media time makes sense? What rules help in everyday life? And when does it make sense to have your own smartphone?
You can make clear agreements together and gradually give your child more responsibility. Your own behavior is also important here: Children are strongly influenced by how adults use media. Therefore, use media together as much as possible: watch content together, play games together or talk about it.
Personal data is quickly visible online. Many apps automatically collect information, even from children. This makes it all the more important to check the privacy settings together and handle data consciously. In the articles, you will find out which settings are important, where typical risks lie and how you can help your child to protect their data.
Children and young people can be confronted with stressful situations online, such as insults, false information or unwanted contact. The articles show how you can strengthen your child, recognize signals and react correctly in an emergency. Above all, it is important that your child knows that they can turn to you at any time.
Not all online content is suitable for children, especially on video platforms and social networks. Age ratings and technical protection measures can help, but are no substitute for guidance in everyday life. The articles will help you to better assess content and find a suitable approach together with your child.
A large proportion of media use takes place via messengers, social networks and online games. This can quickly lead to misunderstandings, conflicts or unpleasant situations. The articles show how communication works online and how you can help your child to act respectfully and safely.
AI chatbots, personalized content and new platform functions are now part of everyday life for many children and young people. The articles explain how AI works, where the opportunities lie and which risks you should keep an eye on.
This selection is an introduction. You can find many more articles on apps, games, social media and current trends on our website.
A commercial before a video, a bonus for watching an ad in the middle of a game or an interruption while streaming: advertising is part of everyday life for children and young people today. It is omnipresent and often integrated in such a way that it is barely noticeable.
Advertising on the Internet has been around for a long time. What has changed significantly is how it is integrated today. It no longer just appears alongside content, but directly within it. Children encounter advertising on different platforms at the same time, for example when watching videos, in apps, in games or on streaming services. Many services are free or cheaper because they are financed by advertising. Others offer paid, ad-free versions.
Important: This is about advertising that is displayed directly by platforms, apps or games themselves, not about advertising by influencers where people present products.
Videos on the Internet without advertising have become rare. Commercials run before and during videos, often several in a row or without a skip function. On platforms such as YouTube, these ads can appear several times in succession. There are also overlays in the image and references to paid, ad-free subscriptions.
It is often not clear to children where the actual content begins and where advertising ends. Advertising is often designed in a similar way to videos themselves, fast, colorful and entertaining. Many ads are personalized. They are based on what content has been viewed so far or what users are interested in. The basis for this includes cookies and user profiles that evaluate behavior.
Although special rules apply to content aimed at children, advertising is still displayed. Specially adapted content can therefore be useful for younger children.
Streaming services are also increasingly relying on advertising and, in addition to traditional subscriptions without advertising, are increasingly offering cheaper models with commercial breaks. These appear before or during a movie or series and are reminiscent of television. Here too, advertising can be personalized and based on previous usage data.
Advertising is particularly present in games and free apps. Here, it is often directly linked to usage: Anyone who watches an advertising video receives rewards such as coins, additional lives or new functions. This changes perception. Advertising is not only viewed, but actively used to progress in the game.
In addition, banners, pop-ups or notices about purchases appear within the app. These are often directly linked to the course of the game and can lead to quick spending. Children also encounter advertising in the browser, i.e. on websites, for example in the form of banners, pop-ups or videos that start automatically. These can appear while surfing and are not always easy to close or skip.
Ads also regularly appear in feeds and story areas on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. They often resemble normal posts, but come from accounts that you do not follow. They are often labeled with terms such as “Sponsored”, for example in the feed or between short videos. These notices are easy to miss, especially for children.
In addition, trends, hashtags and challenges are specifically used by companies to generate attention for products.
Children first have to learn to understand and categorize advertising. Digital advertising makes this even more difficult because it is adapted to media in terms of appearance and content, is very short and entertaining and is integrated directly into games, videos or feeds. There is often no clear distinction between content and advertising. Younger children in particular are therefore often unaware of advertising.
Advertising content is constantly present and often not clearly labeled. Content is interrupted or mixed with commercial elements. Reward systems can lead to children making targeted use of advertising without questioning its purpose. At the same time, direct links quickly lead to purchases within apps or games.
Then there is the use of data: many advertisements are based on information collected about the behavior of users. Not all content is age-appropriate, even if there are corresponding guidelines.
Accompany your child, especially during their first steps in digital media. Explain in concrete terms what advertising is, why it is displayed and how it can be recognized. Use examples from your child’s everyday life, for example when playing games or watching videos.
Talk about the fact that many offers have to earn money, either through advertising or subscriptions.
Check settings together and restrict personalized advertising (if possible), deactivate or protect in-app purchases and use age-appropriate profiles or offers. In most services, advertising cannot be switched off completely, often only individual preferences can be adjusted.
Technical measures can provide support, but are no substitute for guidance.
The Toniebox can be found in many children’s rooms and makes it possible to play radio plays and music independently. The Toniebox 2 adds new functions: Content becomes more interactive and invites children to join in.
The Toniebox is an audio system that has been specially developed for children. Content is not selected via a menu, but controlled by figures. When a Tonie is placed on the box, a story, music or radio play starts automatically. The Toniebox is one of the audio boxes for children.
There are Tonies with ready-made content, such as figures or audio books, as well as creative Tonies that can be played with your own recordings. These are uploaded and saved via the Toniecloud. The box is deliberately easy to use: you can fast-forward or rewind by tilting it, tap it to skip between chapters and adjust the volume using the ‘ears’.
The Toniebox 2 adds additional functions. Content becomes more interactive via “Tonieplay”. Children not only listen, but are encouraged to join in, for example through small tasks, speaking along or movement.
Once set up via WLAN, the Toniebox can also be used without an Internet connection.
The Toniebox is designed so that even younger children can operate it themselves. No prior reading skills or technical knowledge are required. This helps children to use the Toniebox independently.
The figures play an important role: children recognize familiar characters, collect Tonies and build up an emotional bond. There are stories, songs and knowledge content for different age groups.
With functions such as Tonieplay, children are also involved. They are not just listeners, but part of the story. Creative Tonies offer the opportunity to create your own content. For example, children can listen to stories from familiar people or record something themselves.
The Toniebox is a comparatively secure service without open Internet communication. There are therefore no classic online risks such as contact with strangers.
However, points can still be relevant in everyday life:
The provider describes the Toniebox as robust and child-friendly. The operation has been specially developed for children. According to the provider, the Toniecloud is subject to data protection standards in accordance with European law. Own content and accounts can be deleted. Functions such as Tonieplay add interactive content to the range.
The Toniebox is a good introduction to media use as it does not require a screen. It is particularly useful to accompany your child at the beginning. Pay attention to suitable content and listen in occasionally.
Provide guidance on when and for how long the Toniebox is used in everyday life and pay attention to how your child uses it.
Use creative Tonies together. Your own recordings, such as stories or songs, make the Toniebox more personal. Listening together can encourage interaction, especially with younger children.
Keep an eye on the costs. In addition to the box, you will have to pay for other figures. A tip: clay figures can often be borrowed from libraries.
A cute photo of the family party in the WhatsApp status or on platforms such as Instagram is a matter of course for many. For parents, it can be uncomfortable when pictures of their own child are shared without consultation. This is not about forbidding others to do something, but about protecting your own child’s privacy.
Photos of children are personal data. Once shared online, they are almost impossible to control or delete completely. Images can be saved, distributed via screenshots or simply forwarded. You often don’t realize this. The more people can see a photo, for example via status functions or public profiles, the greater the risk of it being passed on. Children’s pictures can be misused or forwarded.
Children have a right to privacy and to have a say in what is shown of them. They also have a right to their own image, which is why photos should not be shared without consent. At the same time, they are often not yet able to assess the consequences. Every time a photo is shared, a digital image of your child is created that they can no longer control themselves. It becomes particularly sensitive when photos are published together with names, place of residence or other personal information. If other children can be seen in the photo, parental consent should also be obtained. Many relatives or acquaintances mean well. They want to share beautiful moments or express their joy. This is precisely why respectful treatment is important.
Many conflicts can be avoided if expectations are clarified at an early stage:
It is important that your attitude is understandable, without accusations.
Some react with surprise or feel criticized. It helps to calmly explain why the topic is important to you:
A change of perspective can help. Would you want such photos of yourself to be seen on the Internet?
Despite agreements, it can happen that photos are shared. It then makes sense to react promptly:
In many cases, the problem can be resolved in a personal conversation.
The older children get, the more important their own opinion is. Ask your child whether they agree with a photo. From primary school age, many children are already able to decide whether a picture of them can be shared. This teaches your child to think about their own privacy and set boundaries.
Also pay attention to your own behavior. Ask your child and other parents before you share photos. This will show you what respectful behavior can look like.
If agreements are repeatedly ignored or conflicts arise, remain calm and clear in your stance. Raise the issue again and look for solutions together. In some cases, it makes sense to bring in outside support to clarify the situation.
Can’t find an answer to your question? Ask your personal questions about your child’s media use directly and conveniently using the messenger service via WhatsApp or Threema. You can find more information here.
The colorful game app Toca Boca World is particularly popular with many younger children. They can design their own characters and use them to invent exciting and creative stories in Toca Boca World. The app invites them to decorate houses according to their own ideas, eat cake in the café, work in the hospital or post office and much more. There are no limits to the imagination.
Toca Boca World is all about creativity and free play. Imaginative locations such as cities, villages and beaches invite you to explore and play. There are no levels or time limits that have to be met.
After downloading the app, players can move freely in the world and design it according to their own ideas. They choose characters that they can customize according to their appearance and characteristics. They furnish and decorate houses and rooms according to their taste. Day or night, sun or rain, what music comes on the radio – everything can be customized.
Players can complete tasks at some locations, but there are usually no fixed instructions. Additional avatars, locations, activities and pets can be added via in-app purchases. A video recording function makes it possible to play out your own stories with the characters and record them using images and sound.
Children really enjoy creating their own worlds and inventing creative stories. It is particularly exciting for them to design the play figures entirely according to their own ideas. Not only can they choose from different hair and skin colors, they can also create characters in wheelchairs, with glasses or prostheses.
The different game environments and the opportunity to slip into different roles motivate children to keep playing and experience new adventures. There is almost no text in the colorful worlds, which makes the game playable even for children without reading skills.
The privacy policy of the Toca Boca app states that no third-party advertising is included. The app is free to download, but offers in-app purchases. Children can use these to unlock new characters, stations or gifts if a payment option is stored on the device.
The app stores user data such as gaming behavior and device information and evaluates it for marketing purposes. Third-party services are also used, for example Google. Parents’ data is collected when they make a purchase in the Toca Boca store, activate notifications or subscribe to the newsletter. Data deletion can be requested by sending an email to privacy@tocaboca.com.
The video recording function allows children to record images and sound of the game and save them on the device. If access to the microphone is permitted, the app will also use it. Access can be denied again in the app permissions of the end device.
Toca Boca is a Swedish game developer and is therefore bound by EU data protection laws. The provider advertises that children are involved in the development of the app. The app does not contain any content that is unsuitable for children. The game developers are thus responding to the demands of various children’s rights organizations to take children and their rights into account when developing products for children.
Toca Boca claims to want to live up to the PRIVO seal. This seal is awarded by an independent organization that is committed to protecting children’s data online. On the Toca Boca website, the provider provides a privacy policy for children in understandable language.
When using the Toca Boca World app, it makes sense to clarify a few rules and settings in order to make the game safe and meaningful for your child:
Accompanying the first steps of use: The app is particularly aimed at younger children. Accompany your child during the first steps of use. This will help you familiarize yourself with the functions and observe how your child reacts to the game app.
Set media rules and play times: Create rules for digital games together and include the use of the app in the family’s media rules. The app has no time limits and can be played indefinitely. Decide together how much time your child is allowed to spend with the app.
Deactivate functions in the settings: Functions such as the store and video recording can be deactivated in the app settings. This requires the entry of an (adult) date of birth.
Deactivate in-app purchases: Discuss the in-app purchases function with your child in advance. You can deactivate the function or make sure that no payment details are entered in order to avoid accidental purchases.
News about war, violence and armed conflicts shake us all. What adults often find hard to comprehend is usually even harder for children to understand. Keeping children away from the latest news is almost impossible. This makes it all the more important to accompany children and give them security. We provide suggestions for dealing with stressful news and present media formats suitable for children on this topic.
Children often get more than adults think. It is therefore important to take their questions seriously and respond to their feelings. If children can talk about their worries, it helps them to process the experience better. Comfort your child and show them closeness, for example by giving them a hug – this provides security in difficult moments.
Younger children process things that occupy them in play or by drawing a picture. If your child doesn’t do it on their own, you can encourage them to do it and join in. Expressing yourself in pictures or text can also be a great way for older children and teens. But conversations and concrete information are also important for them. Show your child age-appropriate offerings and alert him or her to possible misinformation. Encourage your child to show you if they are sent scary pictures and videos via social media or Messenger and talk to them about it.
When children hear news about war, it can make them feel insecure. Younger children especially need the reassuring message that they are safe and that adults care about their protection. Explain to your child that the war is far away and that many people and organizations are working to create peace. Show your child that they are not completely helpless, but that there are ways to do something good. Think together about how you can help, for example by organizing a fundraising campaign or taking part in a peace project at school or in the neighbourhood. This will show your child that you don’t just have to be afraid in difficult situations, but that you can contribute something yourself.
Even as an adult, you have the right to be overwhelmed with the situation and the news. You do not have to be able to answer all the questions. Be honest with your child and show your ignorance or feelings in connection with the events in war zones. It is important that you do not avoid the topic.
In our article “News for children and young people” you will find tips on how to deal with news in general and links to age-appropriate offers.
We recommend the following formats for parents and children on the subject of armed conflicts and war:
Even if stressful news is unsettling, you can give your child security and guidance with attention, closeness, open conversations and access to age-appropriate news formats.
Children and adults often use media differently and discover other exciting aspects of it. A joint media project offers the opportunity to share these perspectives and learn from each other. Sometimes children even show their parents how something works. And it becomes clear: media is more than just watching videos or listening to music!
Instead of just consuming media, you can get creative with your family. Smartphones and tablets, which can be found in many households, have a camera, microphone and simple apps that you can use to quickly implement your own projects. By trying them out together, you and your child will learn how the devices work. At the same time, your child will experience how media is created and that this requires ideas, planning and a little patience. Even kindergarten children can create simple animated films or photo stories and discover their own strengths in the process.
With our do-it-yourself media series, we offer you ideas for media projects at home. The aim is to promote creativity and actively experience digital media together – for example with radio plays, explanatory videos, virtual reality or making projects.
The website kinder.jff.de of the JFF – Institute for Media Education offers child-friendly instructions for creative media projects in the family. You can go on a photo safari with your smartphone or tablet, create a QR code rally, develop a children’s cookbook and much more. Short video instructions make it easy to get started straight away and show step by step how you can actively use apps and devices at home with your child aged three and over.
In the TüftelLab you will find practical ideas for getting creative with your child at home – from making, coding and robotics to artificial intelligence (AI), video and animation. For children of primary school age and above, there are projects where you can try out, build and design together step by step. The TüftelLab provides a wide range of materials, instructions and digital learning content to make it easier to get started and awaken a desire to tinker.
The NRW family portal shows what opportunities media offer for the further development of skills. Use the site as a box of ideas to develop small media projects with your child. Choose a topic together and immerse yourself in media production. You can find detailed instructions in the NRW media box: there are self-learning offers and online courses on audio, video and AI.
On Elternguide.online you will find even more ideas on how you can actively use media at home with your child. Take a look – we hope you and your child enjoy trying them out!
Lovely animations, child-friendly illustrations and interactive elements: there are a variety of educational and creative apps that have been specially developed for young children. They impart initial knowledge, promote basic skills such as understanding letters and quantities or encourage children to think with puzzles and small riddles. The playful design makes learning fun and an age-appropriate app can motivate children to try things out and express themselves creatively. We present apps that are particularly suitable for beginners – for two to five-year-olds, for example.
The app for the show with the elephant offers numerous games for drawing, puzzles, programming, avoiding obstacles, hiding and scratching out a treasure chest, in addition to programs and funny stories. The elephant alarm clock can be used to set the duration of the game.
Operating systems: iOS, Android, Amazon
Costs: free of charge
In the app for the children’s series, children can play with the Sandman and his friends, do puzzles, color pictures, dress up characters, record their own short stories and discover little adventures. The media library offers videos and audio stories from the Sandman’s world, including the daily bedtime episode, which can contribute to the evening routine.
Operating systems: iOS, Android
Costs: free of charge
Paint and compose – at the same time. Choose a motif and a color palette and you can paint colorful pictures and make music with colors and shapes. An overall picture is created from lines, waves and circles. The app promotes the perception of the connection between sound, color and form.
Operating system: iOS
Cost: 2,99 €
The app contains interactive rhymes based on the well-known picture books. The children accompany the little owl through several rhyming stories – for example, when she is looking for help with a bump on her head, can’t fall asleep at night or is preparing a birthday party with her friends.
Operating system: Android, iOS
Cost: €3.99 (Android), €4.99 (iOS)
A read-aloud story in rhyme about a snail in search of itself. She meets lots of animals on her journey. The calm and appealing design of the app stands out from many current apps.
Operating system: iOS
Cost: 1,99 €
The app gives an insight into everyday life at the fire department and shows typical operations in a playful way. Children learn how to behave correctly in the event of a fire. The self-explanatory and predominantly wordless tasks, which even young children can master, are particularly noteworthy.
Operating systems: iOS, Android
Costs: free of charge
Select vehicles, hear their names and discover their characteristics. There are three types of game to get to know the vehicles: a puzzle, a game of spin and a game of patience with different levels of difficulty. It should be emphasized that the app does not include a reward system.
Operating system: iOS
Cost: 1,99 €
Edurino is a digital play and learning system consisting of an app, haptic figures and an ergonomic triangular pen. With the help of animal figures, children can immerse themselves in different learning worlds, such as arithmetic, feelings or concentration. Operation is very intuitive, the tasks are designed to be playful and gradually increase in difficulty. Edurino can also be used offline. The range on offer is varied and educationally valuable – but that comes at a price. It’s worth taking a look at your local library to try it out. Edurino is officially recommended from the age of four, but depending on the child, it can be started a little earlier.
Operating systems: Android, iOS, Amazon
Cost: starter sets from €49.98, per figure €24.99
Children learn primarily through their own discovery and experimentation. Digital learning and creative offerings can usefully accompany this process and strengthen both cognitive and creative skills. It is crucial that an app suits your child’s individual stage of development – you are the best person to assess this.
At best, good children’s apps do not contain any advertising or in-app purchases. In this article, we describe what else makes a good app for children. For your search, we recommend the app tips from Stiftung Lesen, SIN – Studio im Netz or Spieleratgeber NRW. You don’t need a large number of apps for your child. It’s better to concentrate on a few high-quality apps that meet your child’s needs and interests.
That is important:
Going to the movies for the first time is a big event for many children. Everything is new: the huge screen, the dark auditorium, lots of people and a movie that can’t simply be stopped. This is exciting for some children, but perhaps too much for others. With good preparation, going to the movies can still be a great experience.
Many children are ready for their first trip to the movies at around 5 or 6 years old. However, the age is less important than the maturity of your child. Can they sit still for a while? Can they cope well with tension? Are they not afraid of the dark or loud noises? Some children are not ready until later, and that’s perfectly fine.
In Germany, the Voluntary Self-Regulation of the Film Industry (FSK) assigns age ratings for movies. These indicate the age from which a movie is approved, but are not educational recommendations. A movie “from 6” can still be too exciting or too sad for sensitive children. You should therefore read the short content information and the respective brief explanations on the FSK website in advance and trust your instincts.
Especially the first time, children can be overwhelmed by the impressions:
If your child gets restless or wants to leave the movie theater, this is completely normal. You are welcome to meet this need of your child.
Many cinemas offer special children’s or family screenings. Some even have special offers for the first movie experience. These screenings are usually earlier in the day, shorter, quieter, with dimmed lights and adapted advertising. Children are often allowed to move around or even say something. This takes the pressure off and makes it easier to get started.
Prepare your child: Explain how movies work, that it gets dark and that the movie cannot be paused. It is also important to send a clear message: we can leave at any time if it gets too much. If necessary, sit at the edge of the auditorium.
After the movie, talk about what your child liked and what might have been scary. This will help you to classify the experience and lay a good foundation for the next visit to the cinema.
The first visit to the movie theater doesn’t have to be perfect. The important thing is that your child feels taken seriously and well accompanied.
Can’t find an answer to your question? Ask your personal questions about your child’s media use directly and conveniently using the messenger service via WhatsApp or Threema. You can find more information here.
Which learning platform or app is right for my child? And do they even need it at preschool age? Many parents are faced with precisely these questions. Websites and apps with learning opportunities can help children discover, practise and revise. However, they are no substitute for learning together, playing or exercise. The decisive factor is how and for what they are used. We present five popular offers in Germany and classify what parents should look out for.
Most of the services presented can be used both in the browser and as an app. The range of functions differs in some cases.
Sofatutor offers learning content from pre-school age to upper school. For younger children, there is Sofatutor Kids with learning games, short videos and exercises on numbers, colors, letters, first arithmetic problems and factual topics. The content is clearly structured and based on educational plans. Parents can create child profiles and view learning progress.
ANTON is one of the most popular learning apps for preschool and school and is often recommended or used by schools. In addition to the widely used app, learning can also take place online in the browser. Children practice math, German, general knowledge or music in short, manageable units. ANTON is ad-free and designed without time pressure.
Antolin is a digital reading promotion program that is mainly used in schools. Children read books offline and then answer questions about the content to collect points. The focus is clearly on reading motivation.
Duolingo teaches foreign languages in a fun way with short exercises, repetitions and rewards. Even children can learn their first words and simple sentences. Both the website and the app are colorful and motivating, but rely on regular use.
Scoyo is aimed at children from around 4 to 12 years of age. The learning platform offers exercises and learning games on German, math and specialist topics, sorted by age and grade level. Parents can create profiles and track learning progress.
Not every learning app or platform is suitable for every child. Age recommendations can be a guide, but say little about whether an offer really suits your own child. The decisive factors are interests, stage of development and individual learning speed. Some children love structured tasks, others learn better through free experimentation, movement or conversation. If an activity causes frustration or your child quickly loses interest, it is not (yet) the right choice. And that’s perfectly fine.
At pre-school age, the focus is not on practicing, but on playful discovery. Children gain their first experiences with numbers, letters or language and learn primarily through curiosity and repetition. Digital learning opportunities can provide stimuli here, but they should be entertaining and not create too much pressure. Supervision is important: talk to your child about what they are seeing and trying out.
When children start school, their needs change. Content now needs to be repeated and consolidated more frequently. Learning platforms and apps can help with this, for example with arithmetic, reading or learning vocabulary. They are well suited as a supplement, but not as a substitute for explanations, homework or joint discussions.
Regardless of age, learning platforms or apps are no substitute for reading aloud, free play or exercise. Make sure there is variety and agree clear times and breaks. Don’t ask your child about points or levels, but about what they have understood or newly discovered. In this way, learning remains positive and digital learning opportunities become what they can be: meaningful support in everyday family life.
