The smartphone is at the ready, the console is running hot, videos or games don’t stop – many parents want more offline time for their child. This is not about banning or denigrating media. Digital media is a natural part of growing up today. A good balance between online and offline time in everyday life is crucial.
Children and young people need regular breaks without screens. Offline time allows for exercise, creative play, relaxation and real encounters with others. This strengthens imagination, concentration and independence and helps to reduce stress, even if children don’t always realize it themselves.
The older children get, the more important media use becomes for friendships and belonging. For young people in particular, the worry of missing out plays a major role. For some, media is even the most important way to stay in touch with friends or a community, for example when like-minded people don’t live in the immediate vicinity. It is then often difficult to switch off because chats, games or videos are socially important. This is where an open discussion about alternatives can help.
If media is available at all times, many children do not stop independently. This is why children need guidance and support, e.g. through fixed offline times or media-free places such as the dinner table and before bedtime. It is important not to use media time as a reward or punishment, as this can further increase its importance.
Strict prohibitions often lead to arguments or secret use. It is more effective to involve children and find solutions together.
Offline time works better when it feels good:
Technical settings can support without controlling. Set up screen time limits or break timers (e.g. in YouTube Kids) together. This makes the transition to offline playful and transparent.
Children closely observe how adults use media. Consciously put the smartphone away and share: “I’m taking a cell phone break now!” Commonrules such as “no cell phones at mealtimes” apply to everyone and are the most convincing.
Irritability or frustration when switching off is normal. Take feelings seriously: “What are you missing right now?” or “What is difficult without a screen?”. If conflicts persist or hobbies fade, take a closer look and get support (e.g. counseling).
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 a brief summary of the content 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.
Build your own worlds from building blocks, slip into imaginative roles and complete exciting missions – the online gaming platform Robloxer is very popular with young people. Roblox combines elements of gaming, social media and creative design. As it contains both chat functions and problematic content and some people earn money with their games, an age rating of 16 and above has been in place since January 2025.
Roblox is an online gaming platform and game development system that allows users to create their own games and play the games of others. 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.
Roblox is available on many different devices and as an app. Playing with a virtual reality headset is also supported. This cross-platform availability ensures that players can easily play together on different devices.
After registering on roblox.com, players receive a pre-made game character (avatar) that they can customize as they wish. Standard clothing or other cosmetic features, such as a first hairstyle, are free of charge. Some extra accessories cost money in the form of their own currency Robux. Functions such as creating and playing games are available free of charge.
Many young people love the game because they can easily develop their own games. Registered users can use the “Roblox Studio” building tool to create their own games and share them with others. Simple structures as well as complex worlds of experience can be created. In the Roblox community, young people can let off steam creatively and communicate 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.
Even young people who don’t want to get into game development themselves are fascinated by the countless games on offer.
In January 2025, the Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body(USK) raised the age rating for Roblox from 12 to 16 years. There were several key reasons for this decision:
In addition, the platform allows users to communicate via text and voice chats. There are therefore risks such as cyberbullying, cybergrooming and hate speech. Furthermore, some games contain elements that are similar to gambling, such as the purchase of random virtual items(loot boxes).
In addition, the USK criticized the lack of effective precautionary measures on the part of platform operators, such as insufficiently secured children’s accounts and the lack of age labels in accordance with German standards. Due to these aspects, the USK age rating was adjusted to ensure the protection of minors and provide parents with better guidance.
In addition, Roblox is repeatedly accused of not sufficiently moderating both the content and communication between users and of not taking consistent enough action against violations of the community guidelines. For example, children and young people can come across discriminatory and extremist content in the games.
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.
Roblox introduced several new features in early 2026 to make communication safer for young players. One of these is age verification: users can confirm their age either with an ID or via a voluntary, AI-supported age assessment using a video selfie. Certain communication functions are only activated after this classification. Roblox divides accounts into age groups so that children and young people can interact with their peers as much as possible: Under 9, 9 – 12, 13 – 15, 16 – 17, 18 – 20 and over 21. Content, chats and functions are then assigned according to age. Many interaction options remain restricted in order to limit contact between adults and minors and reduce communication risks. The AI-supported age verification on Roblox is handled by the company Persona. Roblox states that user data is deleted after 30 days. Incorrect estimates can be corrected retrospectively via parental supervision or ID verification. Roblox provides information about age verification on its website.
For older teenagers, there is also the concept of “trusted connections“. This allows 13 to 17-year-olds to mark certain contacts as trustworthy. They can chat with these contacts with almost no restrictions. However, contacts across age boundaries – especially between young people and adults – are still subject to strict rules. Children under the age of 13 cannot create “trusted connections”. More information can be found on the Roblox website.
Roblox offers various safety features that allow you to keep a better eye on your child’s play, e.g. screen time, chats or purchases. Parental control has been expanded in 2026. Parents can now see,
Roblox can also issue warnings in the event of unusually high expenditure. These functions supplement the existing parental control settings and are intended to create more transparency. Parents can find out more about parental controls and parental controls on the Roblox website.
Please note that Roblox is now labeled USK 16. In principle, the state does not use age ratings to dictate what media content parents can allow their children to watch at home, but rather as a guide. Nevertheless, you should make sure that you only provide your child with games that are suitable and approved for their age. You can find out more about upgrading in this parent check-in article.
Would you like to make Roblox accessible to your child?
You can also find all the important steps for parental controls at Roblox on medien-kindersicher.de.
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.
Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube or TikTok – the internet is not a legal vacuum. Anyone who uses social networks or messengers should know the basic rules. This applies to adults as well as children and young people. As a parent, you can help your child to use photos, videos, texts and personal data responsibly. And also set a good example yourself.
From the very first steps online, it is important to introduce children to Instagram and how to handle personal data. Vivid comparisons help: Does your child not want personal details or secrets to be shared in class? The same applies online.
Advise your child to check whether the information is really necessary before sharing it. This includes name, telephone number, address, date of birth, photos, videos, messenger IDs, location data or passwords. Personal data of others may also only be shared with their consent.
Also take a look at app permissions together. Not every app needs access to location, contacts, microphone or camera. Check the settings when you first start the device and regularly after updates.
Parents should also reflect on their own online behavior. Sharing children’s photos or information (“sharenting”) can have long-term consequences, for example through AI-generated deepfakes. Children have a right to privacy, even from their parents.
On platforms such as YouTube, TikTok or Instagram, there is a lot of content that has been uploaded but not created by the user. This includes music, films, series, texts, images, graphics and computer games. These works are protected by copyright and may only be shared publicly with the consent of the copyright holder.
It becomes problematic, for example, if a dance video with a protected music title is uploaded or a picture of a well-known sportswoman is used as a profile picture. Screenshots, memes or short video clips can also be relevant under copyright law. Infringements can result in fines of up to 500,000 euros or account suspensions.
There is content with free licenses, for example under Creative Commons(CC) licenses, which may be used and shared depending on the license. The name, license link and changes must be specified. In addition, photos and videos are now often edited with filters or AI tools. Rights and personal rights remain intact; an image does not automatically become “free to use” just because it has been technically modified.
The right to one’s own image is part of personal rights and applies to all people, including children. Photos or videos may only be published or passed on if the person depicted has given their consent. In the case of underage children, the parents generally decide. However, as they get older, children should be involved in an age-appropriate manner and be able to participate in decision-making. This applies to public posts as well as messenger messages.
This is often underestimated, especially in class or group chats. Screenshots or forwarding without consent are legally problematic, even if they are only shared with friends. As children get older, they should decide for themselves what content to share. Agree clear rules with family and friends and check the privacy settings of the apps. Messengers are not a legal vacuum.
In recent years, platforms have been more heavily regulated, for example by the Digital Services Act (DSA, fully implemented since 2024) or the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Providers must take risks for minors into account: no personalized advertising, age-appropriate algorithms, rapid reporting of harmful content and uniform complaints procedures.
Nevertheless, responsibility remains in everyday family life. Instagram, privacy settings and a conscious approach to content cannot be completely outsourced to platforms. Many conflicts do not arise from bad intentions, but from ignorance, peer pressure or insecurity.
Today, music is listened to almost exclusively digitally – anytime and anywhere via smartphone, tablet, computer or games console. One of the best-known services for this is Spotify. The platform offers access to millions of songs, radio plays, podcasts and now also videos. Spotify’s diverse offering makes it attractive – but also entails risks, especially for children and young people.
Spotify is the world’s largest music streaming service. Around 100 million items of content are currently available – including music, podcasts, audio books and radio plays. Users can create playlists, follow others and share their favorite songs, for example via Spotify codes. Spotify also displays lyrics for many tracks. In addition to audio content, music videos and short video clips are now also available.
In the free version, content can only be listened to with an internet connection, with regular advertisements running in between. The paid premium version allows offline listening without advertising and offers functions such as unlimited skipping of tracks.
Spotify has offered a chat function since August 2025: playlists, songs or podcasts can be shared and commented on directly within the app. To chat, a request must first be confirmed. The messaging function can also be used like a classic messenger.
Music plays a central role for young people: it helps them find their identity, communicate with friends and deal with their feelings. Spotify makes it easy to discover new music at any time, browse through other people’s playlists and listen to content wherever you are. Podcasts are also becoming increasingly popular with young people.
Spotify also works on games consoles such as Playstation or X-Box and via voice assistants such as Alexa Echo and Google Home. This allows young people to listen to music while playing games or play songs by voice command.
Radio plays are particularly interesting for younger children. Many well-known series – from Bibi Blocksberg and Benjamin Blümchen to Die drei ??? – are available on Spotify. The Spotify Kids app can also be used via a paid Premium Family subscription, which offers a more limited and more suitable framework for children.
Spotify works with a highly personalized recommendation algorithm. In the profile button, Spotify creates individual playlists, for example “Your mix of the week”, from the music you have recently listened to and your usage data. This is also linked to the storage of usage behavior.
Spotify contains content that may be unsuitable for children and young people – such as music or audio books with extremist messages and violent content or podcasts that spread fake news and disinformation. Spotify has recently been criticized because an increasing number of AI-generated songs are appearing on the platform. The tracks are suggested via recommendations and can contain sexist or racist statements. Such content is not always easy for children and young people to recognize as problematic.
The new chat function and comments under podcasts give rise to communication risks such as cyberbullying, hate speech and unwanted contact from strangers.
The video content – short clips such as YouTube Shorts – can contribute to more intensive use and cannot be deactivated.
There is also criticism of the fact that Spotify pays out low revenues to artists.
Spotify is based in Sweden and claims to implement measures to protect children and young people. In Premium and Family subscriptions, parental control settings can be activated to hide problematic, “explicit” content. Multiple accounts can also be managed together.
Spotify Kids is a special offer for children that only contains child-friendly audio content and excludes video functions. However, this service can only be used with a paid Family subscription.
Content can be reported via a reporting function for podcasts and playlists and via an online form for individual titles.
Officially, Spotify is only allowed from the age of 18, with parental consent from the age of 16. As parents, you should discuss in detail with your child in advance whether it makes sense to use the offer. The following points are important:
Regular discussions and support remain the most important protection – regardless of technical settings.
Many children are enthusiastic about cartoons. The great thing is: it doesn’t take much to make your own at home! Smartphone or tablet, construction paper and pens – and the children’s room becomes a movie studio.
Many animated films are based on the stop-motion technique. Similar to flip-books, many individual images, which only differ in detail, are shown in quick succession. This sets the images in motion. The opening and closing credits of “The Sandman” and the stories of “Shaun the Sheep”, for example, are produced using this technique.
Does your child like to draw or do handicrafts – or does he or she prefer to play with Duplo and Lego? Such things can also be used wonderfully for the production of your own first movie. Then you’re ready to go! Let’s go!
Every movie needs a good story with a suspenseful arc. Come up with a short plot together with your child. The story should be simple and quick to tell and have a manageable number of characters. Write down the story so that you can keep track of it later when shooting.
You can use a smartphone or tablet with a suitable app for filming. We recommend Stop Motion Studio (Android and iOS; basic version free of charge), InShot (Android and iOS, basic version free of charge) or iStop Motion (iOS; free of charge). The app can be used to take the photos one after the other and automatically create the movie.
You can create animated films in different ways:
You can find more ideas and instructions for different types of animated films in this article from Filmothek NRW.
Prepare the filming location well. An
A little patience is required when shooting a film, as many photos are needed for a short animated film. The rule of thumb is about eight pictures per second of film. Only change one small thing between the photos. For example, if a Lego figure is waving, move the arm a little further up from picture to picture. You can also make other figures or objects move at the same time.
It works best in a team: one family member takes the photos, another moves the figures. One person keeps an overview: they announce what happens next and make sure that everything is correct. Check the photos regularly directly on the display. And feel free to swap roles from time to time!
Post-production follows the film shoot. Here you can add titles, texts, sounds, music and effects in the app and bring the movie to life. You can find tips on using royalty-free music here at kindersache.de. You can also delete or move images and adjust the display duration of individual images. If you want the characters to speak, you can record the dialog afterwards with distributed roles.
What’s a movie without a premiere? You can also celebrate this with your children – with soda and popcorn in a darkened room. Maybe grandma and grandpa or the neighbor’s kids will be invited. In addition, a publication on a children’s platform such as JUKI on Kindersache is conceivable, but the
And now: have fun trying it out!
Learning new things and doing homework with chatbots, playing music via voice command on smart speakers, and receiving content recommendations tailored to personal tastes—artificial intelligence (AI) is an integral part of our everyday lives. Children and young people in particular use AI tools as a matter of course, but not always consciously. AI technologies are developing rapidly and continuously. It is not easy for parents to keep track of everything: Which applications are particularly popular with young people? What opportunities, challenges, and risks arise from their use?
At the parents’ evening, we will introduce you to the most popular AI applications and look at their significance in the everyday media lives of adolescents. One focus will be on the risks for children and young people when communicating with chatbots, e.g., disinformation, inappropriate or problematic responses, and when interpersonal relationships are replaced.
Join us live, get practical tips on how to introduce your child to the safe and responsible use of (generative) AI, and ask our experts your questions—we will provide answers and are available for discussion!
The virtual parents’ evening is an event held as part of Safer Internet Day 2026 – you can find out more about the campaign day at klicksafe.
Date: February 11, 2026 | Time: 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Procedure: (Media education) input (approx. 40 minutes) followed by an open discussion
Speakers: Lidia de Reese und Nils Rudolf (FSM)
Moderation: FSM e.V.
Platform: The virtual parents’ evening is realized via the “Zoom” tool.
Privacy Notice: Zoom is a service of Zoom Video Communications Inc. which is based in the USA. We use Zoom via the German operator WTG. The WTG server is located in Europe. Furthermore, within the Zoom service we have chosen the configurations with the highest data and security protection.
Please also take note of our privacy policy.
Registration:
Listen to books, play games with sound, create your own recordings. There are now various audio pens that can do this – from TipToi to TING and BOOKii to Anybook. It is impossible to imagine many children’s rooms without these pens. The Tellimero is a particularly open-ended product.
Tellimero is published by Pädagogik-Verlag Betzold, a traditional provider of educational and learning materials. The idea behind the pen is to create a flexible tool that is not tied to specific books or products.
Instead, the pen works with stickers: the pack contains a whole stack of different sticker sheets with colorful dots, animals, instruments and symbols. Some motif stickers already contain noises, such as animal sounds, melodies or other sounds. The 200 or so single-colored dots can be played with as desired.
The stickers are not intended for decorating, but instead make the pen “talk”. If you touch a sticker in recording mode, sound can be recorded – up to five minutes per sticker. This sound is played back in playback mode. This allows you to record books, add sound to objects or record tasks acoustically.
The pen itself is clearly laid out and has three buttons: on/off, record and playback. If you use several Tellimero pens, existing recordings can be copied to other pens via a PC. Finished audio files can also be loaded onto the Tellimero.
The Tellimero is doubly exciting for children: they can listen and be creative at the same time. If adults prepare materials –
At the same time, children can get creative themselves: record their own stories, set riddles to music or use the pen for learning. The operation of the three buttons is so intuitive and simple that the pen really can be used without any problems from the age of 4.
The great creative freedom also brings challenges. Children can’t just be given a pen and a book and be kept busy – preparatory work is required. Stickers have to be distributed, recordings made and content prepared.
If you want to use Tellimero for language learning, for example, you can’t use ready-made products, but have to record books or materials yourself.
As the stickers can be replayed, there is also a risk that children will overwrite stickers that have already been discussed. To avoid this, the so-called “teacher mode” should be used when recording.
As with all audio pens, parents are the “human recharging service”. An empty battery at the crucial moment is one of the most common points of frustration.
According to the publisher, the Tellimero is primarily intended as an educational tool. It is often used in nurseries and schools, for example for language development, station learning or orientation aids. Teachers can, for example, add suitable audio content to a phonics table, a globe or station training. The pen has received several awards for this, including the Comenius EduMedia seal and the Worlddidac Award.
Tellimero is also suitable for private use, whether for creative “fun uses” or for learning and everyday tasks. However, parents should be aware that there are no ready-made materials and the content must be designed entirely by themselves.
Tellimero is a good alternative for families who not only want to listen, but also get creative themselves. Young and old can work together to develop funny, helpful or educational content for the stickers – and they can do it again and again.
Children and young people encounter AI in many places today: Chatbots answer questions for homework, voice assistants help in everyday life, creative apps generate images, music or short stories. This can be exciting, inspiring and confusing at the same time. Many parents therefore ask themselves: How do I guide my child so that they use AI curiously, safely and critically without being overwhelmed? Don’t worry: you don’t have to be an AI expert to accompany your child safely.
Artificial intelligence is often surprisingly clever. It responds quickly, friendly and sometimes more convincingly than adults. However, children should understand: AI does not “know” anything. It merely calculates which answers are likely to seem correct. And that is precisely why it can make mistakes, adopt prejudices or invent content.
Many AI applications also save the data entered. Depending on the tool, more or less information can be collected. Children should therefore learn early on to handle personal information with care. It should also be clear that AI is no substitute for personal advice, teachers or parents.
The younger children are, the more guidance they need when dealing with AI. For primary school children in particular, it is important to try things out together, ask questions and scrutinize results.
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.
In the age of social media, it is easy to gain insights into the lives of famous people – and to feel surprisingly close to them. However, what almost feels like a friendship for fans in front of their (mobile) screens is primarily a job for the creators that earns them money. We need to make children and young people in particular aware of the business model behind this supposed closeness.
For many young people, it sounds dreamy and tempting to get rich with short or longer internet videos. In reality, however, highly successful profiles usually involve a whole team, precise production planning and a sophisticated marketing strategy. This is because the content must be specifically designed and played out in such a way that it generates reach – and ultimately revenue.
Influencers earn their money in various ways:
For children and young people, ‘their’ influencers are often important role models and idols. They enjoy a high level of trust among young people, their content and statements are rarely questioned and their ‘product recommendations‘ are readily accepted.
By using the advertised products, young people feel closer to the lifestyle of the influencers and stars as well as to themselves and can thus express their own identity or affiliation.
Influencer marketing is aimed much more directly and precisely at specific target groups and has a very personal impact, which is why it has long been more important and more successful than traditional TV and radio commercials.
Advertising is not recognizedRecommendations appear personal and honest, but are often paid for. If this is not recognized, trust can be exploited.
Closeness is misunderstood: Virtual interactions – for example via live chats or gifts to influencers – can create the impression of genuine relationships that do not exist in reality. The relationship is “one-sided”, as the fans are usually an anonymous mass for the influencer in question.
Consumer pressure arises: Creators often show a lot of new products and a lifestyle full of “must-haves”. This can distort expectations, affect self-esteem and lead to financial problems.
Stay up to date and talk to your child about their consumer behavior. Influencers play an important role in guiding children and young people. Be understanding and show interest. Ask your child which creators they follow and why. Take a look at their content together and talk about what you have seen.
For many children, what their peers use and do is important. The need to belong is part of their development. Help your child set up a social media account if they want to be on these platforms, and together make sure they have privacy settings and provide truthful age information so that the platforms’ safety precautions can take effect.
Talk about how influencers earn money, how your child recognizes advertising, the strategies behind it and how good purchasing decisions can be made.
To avoid unexpected costs, we have created a checklist for you on how you can limit in-app purchases on your child’s device.
If you would like to find out more about this topic, take a look at our colleagues at klicksafe over. They describe how exactly YouTubers earn money.
The smell of cookies, shopping stress, shining children’s eyes: the holidays are approaching and digital devices and games are on the wish lists of many children and young people. What should parents consider before and after giving a gift? Between the years and during the vacations, there is also time for shared family media experiences. How can this be designed in a safe, age-appropriate and even creative way? In this article, we give you an overview of offers from the Elternguide.online partner network.
The Christmas vacations can be long, especially when the weather outside doesn’t really invite you to play. If you have devices such as smartphones, tablets, cameras or a laptop at home – how about you and your child just get started? You can take photos or film together, try out new creative apps and actively organize media time. It’s great fun and your child will also learn something about media skills along the way.
On the website kinder.jff.de there are suggestions for simple media projects that children aged 3 and over can do at home with the support of you as parents. This is helped by child-friendly video instructions in which the implementation of the media projects is shown step by step. How about a photo memory with Christmas tree decorations or an audio story about Christmas traditions?
knipsclub offers a safe environment for young photo fans between the ages of 8 and 12 to try out their skills in a closed and pedagogically supervised photo community and exchange photos with each other. On the website you will find creative photo tips, for example on
You are probably familiar with challenges from social media, e.g. dance challenges on TikTok. Children and young people love to take on challenges. Challenges don’t necessarily only have to take place on the Internet, you can also play them at home with your family! Why not try out the top photo challenge, the clip challenge or the re-enactment challenge? We have made a few suggestions in our parents’ guide article. You can find more Advent challenges on the website of the JFF project webhelm.de.
Children have many questions and learn early on that their questions will be answered on the Internet. How is Christmas celebrated in other countries? What craft tips and baking recipes are there for Christmas? The children’s search engine fragFINN offers children access to around 3,400 verified websites, including almost 400 children’s sites. Primary school children can gain their first Internet experience here in a protected surfing room and learn how to use search engines and search results. In the fragFINN Advent calendar, children can open a little door every day, behind which are links to other children’s sites with a wide range of information and offers suitable for the winter season. You can find more playful learning pages in this parents’ guide article.
Your child probably also likes watching videos and going to the movies. A TV evening together can be a really nice family experience. Pay attention to the FSK age rating to protect your child from unsuitable content. But be careful: FSK ratings are
Parents must decide individually when their child is ready for their first smartphone, depending on their level of development and experience. After all, a smartphone theoretically opens up the whole world of the Internet to your child, with all its opportunities and risks. klicksafe offers comprehensive information for parents. Use the smartphone readiness checklist to check whether a smartphone is ready to go under the Christmas tree. Has the decision been positive? Then find out about the technical setting options and set up your smartphone to be childproof. You can find all information material from klicksafe in this topic special.
Would you like to prepare your child for the first smartphone under the Christmas tree? Child-friendly information on the first smartphone is available in the children’s magazine Genial Digital from Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk. The fragFINN app gives your child a protected surfing space on their first smartphone and gives them access to quality, positive content.
Are you considering buying a smartwatch as an alternative? Then take a look at this topic from klicksafe. Please note: technical protective measures are no substitute for family discussions and media rules. Stay in contact with your child and accompany them as they take their first steps with a smartwatch or smartphone.
In addition to discussions and media rules, technical youth media protection is an important component of media education. Use the screen time and digital wellbeing settings on smartphones to set time limits for the entire device or for different apps and to filter content. The parental control program JusProg offers a precise filtering option for websites and safe default settings for mobile devices and laptops. Google Family Link and YouTube Kids offer the opportunity to make media experiences safer for your child in the world of the internet giant Google. Social media apps such as Instagram and TikTok also offer safety features and parental guidance options. Streaming with the family can be a fun activity during the vacations. Almost all streaming services have certified offers for the protection of minors. Use your own child profiles and the parental control function with the PIN. Many of the youth protection programs have been approved by the expert commission of the Voluntary Self-Regulation of Multimedia Service Providers (FSM). You can find out more about technical solutions for the protection of minors in the media on the FSM website.
Detailed instructions for all devices can be found on the website medien-kindersicher.de.
Which games should I give my child for Christmas? Are games okay for preschoolers? In the family section of the USK website and via the USK brochures, you will find all the information you need on the USK’s age ratings, the additional information and how to deal with the subject of games in the family.
The USK mark indicates the age at which a game does not cause any developmental impairments. The additional information such as “fantasy violence” or “pressure to act” gives parents a good indication of whether a game is suitable for their own child. Educational assessments of games can be found at the NRW games guide. Descriptions of popular games like Fortnite, Minecraft or Roblox are available on Elternguide.online. The USK lexicon explains the most important terms, devices and genres.
Would you like to make your child happy with a game for Christmas? Find out about the distribution channels for games and technical precautionary measures. Various settings for the protection of minors can be made on consoles as well as in game stores and the games themselves. Play together with your child and ask them interesting questions about their favorite games.
The team at Elternguide.online wishes you and your family a wonderful Christmas season and lots of fun using media safely and creatively!
Want to quickly watch a children’s series, a movie for the evening or the important soccer match? It’s all on Joyn. Joyn is a streaming platform like
Joyn is the German middle ground between traditional television and major streaming services. The service can be accessed via smartphone, tablet, PC or smart TV, via app or in the browser. Children and young people can find current TV shows, their
Joyn is particularly attractive for children and young people because the basic version is free of charge and can sometimes even be used without logging in. Many freely available live TV contents can be accessed directly in the browser. For additional functions – such as personalized recommendations or saving watchlists – registration with an email address is required.
If parents don’t want to or can’t subscribe to their own streaming service, Joyn is still easily accessible. The platform offers many shows and series that are currently being talked about in the school playground, including Big Brother, The Masked Singer and Germany’s Next Top Model.
Particularly appealing for young fans of the programs: Joyn offers opportunities to actively participate in the app. For example, viewers can vote on who advances to the next round in a show, take part in quiz formats or take part in competitions. This reinforces the feeling of being right in the middle of the action and motivates viewers to tune in regularly.
Anyone using Joyn will initially only be shown content that is approved for under 16s. The account must be verified with an ID number for everything that is approved from 16 or 18. However, this age verification does not offer complete protection. Parents can create a profile and secure it with a parental control PIN so that children can only play content that has been approved for ages 0, 6 or 12.
Important to know: Content that cannot be played remains visible. Preview images, titles or short descriptions can arouse children’s curiosity or draw their attention to topics that are
Joyn emphasizes that the protection of minors is an essential part of the platform and that all legal requirements are complied with. The parental control PIN cannot simply be deactivated and the provider provides detailed instructions on how to set up profiles for children. Age verification is carried out in compliance with data protection regulations and the data is only stored temporarily
Make clear agreements with your child about what can and cannot be watched. If possible, use the offer together – especially with younger children. Actively accompany your child, talk about the content and whether something may cause anxiety or unpleasant feelings. Set up a profile with a parental control PIN if your child is too young to view content from the age of 16 or 18. Make sure that content with a parental rating of 0, 6 and 12 years remains accessible to everyone. Talk to your child regularly about what
Arrange a meeting with your best friend via online message, ask about homework in a class chat or chat digitally with friends about the latest soccer transfer rumors. According to the JIM study, WhatsApp is the most used app among young people. But at what age can the messenger be officially used?
The USK (Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body) has approved WhatsApp for ages 12 and up. The USK checks the age at which online games and apps are considered suitable in Germany. Its age ratings are based on the provisions of the German Youth Protection Act and the Interstate Treaty on the Protection of Minors in the Media. The reason for the 12+ label is that WhatsApp is a messenger app whose content cannot be checked in advance. Thanks to the public community function, WhatsApp also contains functions that are similar to social media platforms such as Facebook or Instagram. At the same time, however, WhatsApp also has block and report functions. Among other things, a USK 12 rating is awarded if an app or game has a chat function that includes the usual moderation tools and safeguards. If the age of your child is stored in the Google Play Store, the app can only be installed from the age of 12.
WhatsApp itself specifies a minimum age of 13 years in its General Terms and Conditions. The T&Cs are rules for using an online service. Before using the app, your child must confirm that they are at least 13 years old. Whether this is true is not actively checked. However, if it becomes known that a user is under the age of 13, WhatsApp has the right to delete the account.
According to the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), WhatsApp may process data from the age of 16 without parental consent. If your child is younger, WhatsApp needs your consent as a parent or guardian. By allowing your child to use WhatsApp, you also consent to the messenger service processing your child’s data (e.g. cell phone number).
As parents, you can take 13 years as a guide. Children under the age of 12 should not use the offer under any circumstances. Officially applies:
If your child is between the ages of 13 and 16, they may use WhatsApp, but they need your consent. Set up rules together with your child, explain the risks to your child and explain the app’s reporting and blocking functions to your child. Set up the account together and pay particular attention to security and privacy settings. You can find more tips on setting up WhatsApp safely here at medien-kindersicher.
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.
An idea for the next birthday present, help with a math problem or simply a question about the opening times of the swimming pool: many families now use artificial intelligence in their everyday lives. At the same time, many parents are wondering which AI services are reliable, safe and also suitable for children. After all, not all AI is the same; the offerings differ significantly in terms of data protection, transparency and target groups, for example.
It’s obvious: AI tools can make everyday life easier. Chat bots and so-called AI agents find and bundle information, explain complicated content, take on small tasks or even act as conversation partners. Many services – from search engines to messengers – now have integrated AI functions. This makes them even easier to access and convenient to use.
At the same time, this also increases risks. Some services place little value on data protection and privacy, collect extensive usage data or are difficult to understand. Others deliver results that are difficult to assess or are not always correct. The seemingly simplest services, which are already integrated into apps and websites, are not always the best. Unfiltered content can also be problematic for children.
The search for suitable AI offerings is not easy. Many tools appear similar and yet differ greatly. We present three possible alternatives:
Perplexity AI – the AI search engine with transparent sources
Perplexity AI works like a chatbot, but compiles information more like a search engine. One advantage is that the AI displays the sources used for each answer. This makes it easier to assess the results and can be particularly helpful for young people doing research for school or projects. Perplexity AI can be used free of charge in the browser or with a paid Pro account, which saves searches, uses better AI models and enables more uploads. The provider states that it uses data for further development, but does not sell it. The service is not specifically aimed at children, but can be a more transparent tool for searches if used with supervision.
Duck AI – the AI with a focus on data protection and privacy
DuckDuckGo is known as a data-saving search engine and browser. The browser does not collect any data, does not record IP addresses and blocks advertising. With Duck AI, the service now also offers its own AI function, also with a strong focus on data protection: queries are sent to the models anonymously, chats are not saved and data is not passed on for training purposes. The AI can be used free of charge, even without your own DuckDuckGo browser. This can be a reliable alternative for parents for whom the protection of personal data is particularly important. Again, this is not a special offer for children, but an option with clearly communicated data protection.
KinderGPT – the AI especially for children
KinderGPT is a German service that is specifically aimed at families. Content is filtered and prepared in an age-appropriate way. Parents can limit usage times or approve subject areas. According to the provider HillcrownAI, no personal data is passed on. The basic version is free, additional functions can be activated for a fee. KinderGPT does not replace supervision, but offers a protected environment in which children can gain their first experiences with AI.
Which AI service is suitable depends largely on what it is to be used for. Together with your child, think about where your priorities lie: quick and easy use, high security or verifiable results? If you are aware of what you expect from an AI, you can also look for ‘the right one’.
Stay up to date on what AI can do and where the pitfalls lie. AI offerings are developing rapidly and new offerings are constantly being added. It is therefore important to stay informed about new possibilities and limitations.
Regardless of the service you choose: Discuss safe behavior when using AI with your child. Explain what data can be given to an AI – and what should remain private. Find out together how AI works and how you can question and check results to be sure. Also be aware of your role as a role model.
And finally: Get to know contact points together where you can find support if problems arise.
