Many children get their own smartphone during their primary school years. With it, they can do different things and have access to the Internet. In addition to many great opportunities, however, it also exposes children to risks. It is particularly important that you talk to your child about possible dangers and make safety settings on the smartphone together.
Without your child realizing it, he or she is leaving data trails by using a messenger and other apps, as well as by surfing the web. Explain to your child the various smartphone functions and how to set them sensibly: WLAN, Bluetooth and location should remain switched off by default and only be activated when absolutely necessary. For example, GPS is necessary if your child is looking for directions to a specific location using a map app. Check the app permissions in the settings together with your child. For example, you can avoid apps accessing the camera without reason or sharing data with other devices and networks. Educate your child about online scams, such as spam emails or phishing. Additional security is provided by virus scanner apps that can protect against unwanted viruses and dangers such as data theft, subscription traps or fake offers.
It is important to use codes and passwords to ensure secure use of the device and apps. Your child’s cell phone should only be used after entering a code (PIN, swipe code, etc.) to prevent strangers from accessing personal data. Set up secure password protection with your child. This also applies to registration with social media services and apps. Secure passwords consist of at least twelve characters and contain special characters and numbers in addition to letters. Depending on the device, your child’s fingerprint can also be used to unlock the device (e.g. Touch ID on iOS). Tips for creating secure passwords are available – e.g. at Handysektor. For younger children, it is recommended that at least one parent also knows the screen lock combination and password.
Security and parental control settings can be made on every smartphone in the settings. Detailed information on this can be found, among other things, in the article on technical youth media protection.
On Android, you can block the installation of apps in the Play Store or set a password for installation or in-app purchases. To do this, activate the parental control settings. You can choose which apps your child can install without a password.
iOS devices offer even more options in their own device settings. Under Screen Time you have the option to set restrictions and assign a separate code for them. You can then, for example, allow or block the use of certain apps and restrict in-app purchases with a password. Movies, music, apps and TV shows with a higher age rating can also be blocked automatically. iOS can automatically filter and hide web content in Safari and apps.
Additional apps are also recommended:
To avoid cost traps, a tariff with a limited data volume can be useful. Make sure you also make certain settings for your child’s privacy and safety on social media apps and use Instagram safely, for example. Here you can specifically regulate the visibility of your child’s profile and the basic contact options. Some platforms offer a safer alternative mode for minors – e.g. the accompanied mode on TikTok.
We also recommend installing the fragFINN app. This children’s search engine offers a protected surfing area with tested websites. This way you can ensure that your child can only access age-appropriate and safe content, both for school research and for leisure activities.
For more information on safe smartphone settings, it’s worth visiting medien-kindersicher.de. Here you will find helpful, technical protection solutions for all your child’s devices, services and apps explained step by step.
Also remember to carry out regular software updates on your child’s smartphone to close security gaps and minimize the risk of viruses, for example
Smartphones come with some features to make chatting, surfing the web and using apps safer for your child. However, these settings on the device or parental control apps are no substitute for parental supervision. Your child should always understand why certain websites or apps should be blocked or why GPS tracking should remain deactivated. Also, always base your control and safety on your child’s age and development. Especially with teens, don’t intrude too much on your child’s privacy. However, always try to stay in conversation with your child and be there as a point of contact for questions or uncertainties.
Apps, remote-controlled cars, vending machines – our world is increasingly shaped by digital technologies, much of which is programmed. Coding is becoming an increasingly important component of media skills in order to deal confidently with media and IT systems. Age-appropriate apps and programs introduce children to programming in a playful way with interactive games, animations and small coding projects. Let your child get started and conquer the world of ones and zeros at their own pace!
Scratch is an image-oriented, visual programming language and an online platform. There is also an app version that can be used offline. The program was developed by the MIT Media Lab especially for children and young people aged 8 to 16 and is designed and moderated by the Scratch Foundation. Scratch enables step-by-step, playful learning of programming. Young programmers can use building blocks to create motion sequences, interactive stories, small games and animations. Scratch is also increasingly being used as a learning medium in schools.
The great thing about Scratch is that your child can let their imagination run wild with characters, sound effects and backgrounds. The ability to create animations and games is extremely engaging and gives your child the opportunity to create their own worlds. Scratch also offers an online community where your child can share coding projects and be inspired by others.
More info: https://scratch.mit.edu/
ScratchJr is a programming language for younger children aged 5 to 7 and enables them to create their own interactive stories and games. In the program, children join graphic program blocks together to move figures and make them jump, dance and sing. The characters can be customized in the paint editor and your own voices and sounds can be added. If you like, you can insert photos of yourself and use the program blocks to bring your own characters to life. ScratchJr was inspired by the popular Scratch programming language and impresses younger children with its ease of use and child-friendly design.
More info: https://scratchjr.org
This website is aimed at children from the age of 8 and teaches programming basics in a playful way, inspired by“Die Sendung mit der Maus“. The popular TV character from the show arouses interest in coding and accompanies the children through the program. The web application uses Scratch as a basis, but does not allow you to publish your own project. Programming with the mouse focuses on entertaining games and activities to impart knowledge in an appealing way. The platform offers structured instructions that guide children step by step through the world of programming. Successfully solving tasks boosts children’s self-confidence and is fun. The website promotes creative learning and makes programming accessible to children.
More info: https://programmieren.wdrmaus.de/
Ronja’s Robot introduces children to the exciting world of programming and robotics – in an entertaining way! The app for iOS and Android was developed by the Kinder Forschen foundation and is suitable for children aged 6 to 12. The app consists of two clever games in which Ronja’s robot named Roberta is the superhero of the code!
In the game “Roberta rast”, children playfully explore programming concepts and steer the little robot through the digital garden. In “Speak like Roberta”, children learn the computer language (binary code consisting of 1 and 0) and talk to Roberta.
More info: https://www.meine-forscherwelt.de/spiel/ronjas-roboter
Does your child enjoy the app? For older children, the graphical programming language OPEN Roberta offers an even more in-depth way to enter the world of programming. Creative thinking is encouraged and your child can come up with their own solutions to tricky challenges. Who would have thought that programming could be so creative? Your child can earn badges and rewards in the game and create coding projects together with other children in teamwork.
More info: https://www.meine-forscherwelt.de/fuer-erwachsene/tipps-zur-lernbegleitung/ronjas-roboter
Coding is fun, but your child can also quickly lose track of time. Establish media time rules together with your child. Programming is learned entirely on screen and usually alone. Make sure that your child maintains social contacts and spends time outdoors to compensate. Occasionally your child may become frustrated when they encounter challenges. Program together with your child, encourage and support them – and learn something new yourself. There are now also school and leisure activities where children can learn these programs. With the search engine for children fragFINN you can find offers in your area.
Lovely animations, child-friendly illustrations and interactive content: There are a variety of learning and creative apps that have been specially developed for toddlers to support them in their development. We present a few apps for toddlers.
Children are fundamentally curious and learn through active trial and error. Learning and creative apps can support this natural learning process and promote cognitive and creative development. For example, there are apps that teach the alphabet or quantities, or let you solve puzzles and riddles. Children can also draw in apps, create their own artwork or tell stories. The playful design makes the learning process fun and can motivate children to express themselves or develop further.
You and your child can get apps in a number of ways. But it’s not easy to find the right product from the almost endless list of apps. For your search we recommend the DJI database, Seitenstark, SIN – Studio im Netz or the Spieleratgeber NRW.
This selection of apps is particularly suitable for getting started – for example, for two- to five-year-olds. Whether an app is really suitable for your child is individual and you know best. The apps all contain no advertising or in-app purchases. What else makes a good app for kids, we describe in this article.
The app for the show with the elephant offers, in addition to shows and laughs and factual stories, numerous games such as painting, puzzles, programming, dodging obstacles, hiding and rubbing a treasure chest free in pairs. With the help of the elephant alarm clock, the duration of the game time can be set.[iOS/Android/Amazon, Free]
As a firefighter, get to know the everyday life of the fire department. Your child experiences firefighting operations in the app and learns in a playful way how to behave correctly in the event of a fire. The self-explanatory and predominantly wordless tasks should be emphasized, which even young children can master perfectly.[iOS/Android, free of charge]
The app is based on the children’s series and offers children’s movies and music to sing along to, as well as some learning games such as a dress-up game, a flower chorus, cookie dominoes, a packing game, frog hopping or an ant rally. Again, no reading skills are required.[iOS/Android, free]
Discover his island together with Fiete the sailor: sort apples into a basket, mount tires on a car or crack eggs into the pan. The interactive picture book app can be controlled by simple and intuitive tapping and swiping motions. The soundscape and animations are also calm and unagitated. [iOS/Android, €3.99]
Select vehicles, hear their names and discover their characteristics. There are three types of games to get to know the vehicles: a puzzle, a spinning game, and a patience game with different difficulty levels. It should be emphasized that the app does not have a reward system.[iOS, €1.99]
Paint and compose – at the same time. To do this, select a motif, 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.[iOS, €2.99]
A read-aloud story in rhyme about a snail in search of itself. On her journey, she meets many animals. The calm and appealing design of the app stands out from many modern apps.[iOS, €1.99]
Shapes and colors, sound recognition, reading and writing the alphabet, numbers and math basics: the app offers several learning games based on the Montessori teaching method. Preschool at home, quasi.[iOS/Android, free of charge, exception: with in-app purchases]
Storybooks and phonics games, tracing letters and practicing writing, math facts and number games. In addition to educational games, the app also offers children’s songs and yoga videos to sing and dance along to – all in English.[iOS/Android/Amazon, Free]
Take time to review apps before providing them to your child. Read reviews from other parents and check if the app is from trusted developers or educational institutions.
Look for age-appropriate content and features. It is important that the app takes into account your child’s developmental level and provides appropriate challenges.
Use the apps as an opportunity for joint activities with your child. Accompany it, ask questions, encourage it to tell or discuss the content. Also, make sure that your child cannot access other apps.
Set rules for screen time– together, depending on age. And pay attention to how your child reacts to using the apps. When showing signs of frustration, overwhelm, or dependency, it is important to reduce screen time and provide alternative activities.
Your own behavior serves as a role model for your child. Try to set an example of a balanced approach to digital media yourself and not let screen time dominate family life excessively.
It is not necessary to have a large number of apps. Rather, focus on a few high-quality apps that match your child’s needs and interests.
Those who have a computer usually also use an anti-virus program. After all, there is a constant threat of danger via the Internet, such as spam e-mails or fake sweepstakes. But is it also important for smartphones to install an antivirus program? How useful this is for Android and iOS phones and what protection virus scanner apps offer is the subject of this article.
A virus scanner detects viruses and malware (malicious and software) and removes them before they can harm the device. To do this, the virus scanner uses profiles to check whether there is already known malware on the device. In addition, the virus scanner analyzes all apps and processes. If it detects suspicious behavior, it banishes the affected app to a quarantine area where it cannot cause any harm.
Android from Google is one of the most widely used operating systems in the world. That is why Android devices are a popular target of hack attacks. The Google Play Store checks most apps, but malicious apps can still be found for download. Even the preinstalled anti-virus program Google Play Protectdoes not provide one hundred percent protection. Those who do not make regular software updates or come into contact with malicious software run the risk of catching a virus.
Manufacturers of well-known antivirus programs for the PC, such as Avast, Avira, McAfee or Norton, offer antivirus apps for Android devices with different offerings. There are both free and paid antivirus scanners for Android. Some with advertising and some without. Some apps offer only the most important features, such as a malware scanner or secure browsing. Other apps also offer services like the Call Blocker to block unwanted calls or a VPN connection for anonymous surfing. These additional features are often available as paid in-app purchases. Current test results of popular Android virus scanners can be found on the website of AV Test .
Those who use an iOS smartphone from Apple do not need an antivirus scanner app. Apple has stronger security mechanisms than Android . Since the distribution of the operating system is low, the attack is hardly worthwhile for criminals. The only way to download apps is via the Apple App Store. Apple itself pre-screens all apps from the store. There are almost no antivirus scanner apps in the App Store. The operating system is built in such a way that apps cannot access other apps. However, Apple users are not protected against phishing emails, chain letters and other scams. Therefore, it is important to perform regular software updates. In addition to vigilance, it can also make sense to install a protection app with features such as WLAN scanners, phishing warnings or an anti-theft function.
When children and young people get their first smartphone, it should be as safe as possible. This also includes protection against viruses. But be careful: no virus scanner can replace a critical approach to e-mails, apps and the like. Find out how you can make your child’s smartphone safer. Talk to your child about careful use of personal data and passwords. Explain to your child how to recognize scam traps online, download apps only from approved stores, and check app permissions.
If you decide to use an antivirus app: install the app together and go through the app settings with your child. Make it clear to your child that no technology is seamless and that he or she must continue to be vigilant when connected to the Internet via smartphone.
“I have read and agree to the terms and conditions”. Does that phrase sound familiar? For example, from online shopping? By clicking on a checkbox, the GTC are confirmed and the purchase is completed. But what is actually behind the term AGB? And what should you as a parent know about it? We explain that in this article.
AGB is the abbreviation for General Terms and Conditions. They are there to ensure that contracts can be concluded quickly. The GTC contain the exact rules of a contract between the users and the provider. On the Internet, this mostly involves the terms of use of Internet services such as apps, newsletters or social networks. People who use Internet services usually enter data such as their name, e-mail address or bank details. In order to be allowed to use this data, companies need the users’ consent to data protection. In addition, the terms and conditions for Internet purchases regulate details such as return rights, shipping costs and payment options.
Kids and teens love trying out new Internet services and apps. They download apps on their smartphone, tablet or laptop alone or with the support of their parents. Often they are not even aware that they have agreed to the terms and conditions with the download. For example, they lack information on how the Internet service handles their data and what rules apply to its use, such as how to interact with each other. The T&Cs often include the age at which the services are permitted and how minors may use the service.
T&Cs are considered the fine print of the Internet. This is because there is important information hidden in it, but it is not understandable at first glance. Mostly they are long texts in difficult language with many complicated terms. Sometimes they are not available in German. For consumers, these texts are often difficult to understand and there is no time to read the terms and conditions carefully. These two offers can help you better understand T&Cs:
Explain to your child what T&Cs are and what rules they contain. Look at the TOS of one of your child’s favorite apps together and help your child critically examine the TOS. Talk with your child about what he or she can do if he or she disagrees with an arrangement. One solution can be not to use the service and, for example, to uninstall an app again. Another option is to use an app in a restricted way, for example, not allowing an app all permissions or sharing as little personal data as possible through the app. Also inform your child that the terms and conditions may change and that users will have to agree or decline again.
“Dad, can I have the app?”, “Mom, can you please buy me this mobile game here?” – If you have an Android device, you can’t get around the Google Play Store. It entices users with numerous apps, games, and media content from a seemingly endless selection. Find out what the Play Store is all about and how you can make it childproof in this article.
The Google Play Store is an app marketplace for all smartphones, tablets, smart TVs and smartwatches with the Android operating system. The offer can also be used via the browser. Anyone who wants to use the Google Play Store needs a Google account.
There is a huge selection of free and paid apps, games and media content such as books, music, movies and series in the app. The apps are divided into categories from entertainment and shopping to science and news to health and sports.
Anyone who clicks on an item will be shown the detail page. Here you will find the following information:
Apps, games and media content can be downloaded via the green “Install” button. For this, sufficient storage space and a connection to the Internet are required for free offers. If you want to buy paid apps, you click on the button with the price and also have to enter a payment method in the Google Play Store, such as a credit card or a credit card.
Children and young people are curious, hungry for knowledge and love to try new things. Through their peer group, they find out what apps are hot at the moment and also want to install them in order to pass the time with apps and games, deepen a hobby or acquire knowledge. The Google Play Store offers numerous options.
Many apps in the Google Play Store have age labels. Because numerous new apps are added every day, not all apps are tested. That’s why there are apps without age ratings. They are treated the same way as adult apps.
Under the “Kids” tab, you’ll find apps and games that educators recommend. They are divided into three age categories and are intended to make it easier for parents to find their way through the wide range of apps. These apps usually come without ads and in-app purchases and are educational.
When dealing with the Google Play Store, three points are important: choose age-appropriate offers, weigh the costs, and pay attention to data protection.
If your child is using your unsecured device, do not leave your child alone with it. It could download paid apps through the Google Play Store, make in-app purchases, or download offers that aren’t safe or age-appropriate.
If your child uses their own device, set up the Google Play Store to be child-safe:
Tips on how to set up your child’s smartphone safely are available in this article
A well-stocked store that offers many useful applications for Apple products: the Apple App Store. It entices users with numerous apps, games, and media content from a seemingly endless selection. Find out what the Apple App Store is all about and how you can set it up to be childproof in this article.
The Apple App Store is a digital platform where users can download and install iOS apps for their Apple devices such as iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. It was introduced by Apple in 2008 and has had a significant impact on the app development industry and mobile ecosystem ever since.
From games and entertainment apps to useful tools and productivity apps, the App Store offers a wide range. Users can search for apps, read ratings and reviews, buy apps or download them for free, and sign up for subscriptions. Specifically, there are ‘Today’ (apps and news selected by Apple), ‘Games’ (different types of games), ‘Apps’ (apps by category), ‘Arcade’ (exclusive games within the Apple Arcade subscription) and the general ‘Search’ categories for this on the home screen. When browsing, however, advertised apps are preferred. This means that even when searching for a specific app, the app you are looking for will first appear under a promotional post.
For developers, the App Store provides a platform to market. To do this, the apps must meet certain Apple guidelines and requirements regarding privacy, security, and features that enhance user experience. Each app is pre-screened for this by Apple before release. Some female developers criticize the high fees Apple charges for selling apps in the Apple App Store, while others have concerns about the review and approval processes.
Games, coloring and drawing apps, music and creative apps, entertainment apps and learning apps – the Apple App Store offers children and young people numerous options. Many of the apps are interactive, entertaining and promote cognitive development, language development or fine motor skills.
There is a separate category in the Apple App Store for children up to the age of twelve: it is called ‘Kids’. The apps there are usually kid-friendly and educational. However, the category is not intuitive to find. To do this, you must enter ‘children’ in the search box. This is the only way to land in the children’s section with subcategories.
The age ratings are set by Apple itself based on the content of the app and the target audience. Factors such as violence, sexual content, drug use, or gambling are considered. Each app is then given an age rating of 4+, 9+, 12+, 17+ or no clearance. Apple uses its own guidelines and standards for this.
Strict guidelines for all apps for children should ensure their safety: child-friendly content. No use of tracking technologies. No advertising. No in-app purchases without parental permission. Easy navigation and operation. No links to outside websites or social media without parent permission. Educational Benefits.
You can also adjust the settings on their Apple devices to restrict access to certain apps or content and ensure that your child can only access kid-friendly apps.
Tips on how to safely set up your child’s smartphone are available in this article.
For many people, it’s hard to imagine everyday life without the online mail order company Amazon. Its video streaming portal Prime Video has the second-largest number of subscriptions after Netflix. Colloquially, the service is also called Amazon Prime, and several offers fall under this.
As with other video streaming services, Prime Video offers the ability to watch a variety of movies and series without being tied to a specific time or location. To do this, you have to register at amazon.de with your own Prime user account for a fee.
The movies and series can be watched via a web browser, the Prime Video app, or Internet-enabled devices, such as a smart TV device, game console, or smartphone. The subscription includes numerous movies and series for free availability, including formats produced specifically by Amazon. In addition, titles can be rented for a fee, for example, completely new series seasons. Amazon Channels offers the option of adding topic-specific pay channels such as Eurosport Player. Sharing a membership is not possible with Prime Video.
Most videos are marked with the legal age ratings of the FSK (Freiwillige Selbstkontrolle der Filmwirtschaft). There is a separate section for children’s content. The series and movies that can be found there are divided into the age groups 2 – 5 years, 6 – 8 years and 9 – 11 years, among other categorizations. In order to be able to watch video content with FSK18 ratings, you must prove that you are of age with the help of your ID or passport and a bank account.
Prime Video offers some safety settings for children:
No matter what age – Prime Video has the hottest series and movies for everyone. Without parental controls, minors have unlimited access to content that is not appropriate for their age, may frighten them or overwhelm them. Many series and movies have an FSK age rating, but not all. Children and young people can watch these without hindrance, as the parental controls do not apply here.
As with many streaming offers, the appeal of constantly continuing to watch is also very high with Prime Video. You should make your child aware of this and set a good example.
By its own account, Prime Video uses the FSK ratings as the basis for its parental control settings. If no FSK ratings are available for very recent films or series episodes, for example, there is no information on the website as to whether and according to what criteria the age ratings are made by the company itself or by third-party providers.
Want to integrate Prime Video into your everyday family life? Then you should pay attention to the age ratings of the movies and series, set up a child profile, set the child or parental control options accordingly and use PIN codes. Protect your user profile with a secure PIN (no birth dates or simple sequences like 1234). Otherwise, your child may switch between profiles and go from the child profile to the adult profile.
To make sure the content is really appropriate for your child, preview the movies or series your child wants to watch. Watching a movie together can be a nice family experience. Especially with younger children (at least up to ten years) this is generally recommended, so that your child does not feel left alone with scary or questionable content.
Also, make sure that prime video and media use at all should be just one activity among many other pastimes for your child.
In our video series “You ask – we answer,” our media educator Melanie Endler explains why you shouldn’t leave children alone when watching series:
You can find more videos here.
Children and young people should be able to navigate the Internet safely. This is legally regulated by the Protection of Minors in the Media Act, among other things. At the same time, the topic of online safety is part of parents’ media education responsibilities. Solutions for the technical protection of minors from harmful media are a building block for guiding children between protection, empowerment and participation when using the Internet. In this article, we will give an overview of the most important settings, apps and programs.
You would like to introduce technical youth media protection at home? Then don’t do it secretly. Talk to your child about it, explain the app or program, and make adjustments together. Think carefully about your and your child’s need for protection. Acknowledge your child’s needs and find age-appropriate solutions. Adapt the measures to your child’s current stage of development and media use behavior. But the most important point is: Technical protection can support media education, but not replace it! Keep an open dialog with your child, explain the risks to him or her and work together to establish media rules in the family.
Always on – always being on your smartphone or tablet can be exhausting and distracting from what else there is to do. With the help of screen time, you and your child can check how long you spend in which apps. Various setting options, such as the app timer, the concentration mode or the idle time, can also help to put the device away again or not to be distracted by certain digital temptations.
The children’s search engine fragfinn.de operates the browser app fragFINN. The Child Protection app provides a safe surfing space with access to vetted, child-friendly websites for children ages 6 to 12. You can also make settings when dealing with other search engines such as bing, ecosia or google to support safe searching on the web and filter out inappropriate content.
The advantage to children’s accounts is that you can create a separate account for each of your children and equip it with individual, age-appropriate settings. A child account with Microsoft Family Safety lets you set screen time settings, content filters, activity reports, cost controls and more for Android devices, laptops running Windows 10 and 11, and Xbox. Be sure to strike the right balance between protection and control, and discuss the settings with your child. Those who use many Google offers can create a child account via the Google Family Link and thus control their own child’s smartphone use. You should carefully consider the extent to which this makes sense for your teenager.
If you prefer to be independent of providers and operating systems, you can install various programs for technical youth media protection. JusProg is a state-approved youth protection program that is free of charge, data-saving and ad-free. Salfeld Parental Control is available for a fee and focuses on time limits and filters, as well as connecting parent and child devices.
Did you know that you can child-proof your router, such as the Fritz!BOX? You can create access profiles, set online times and block Internet sites. Game consoles like Xbox and Switch are also equipped with parental control settings that you can set up individually. The main issues here are age limits and, in the case of video games, limits on the length of games.
If your child likes to be on social media platforms, you should make settings together in the apps, e.g. for communication, contact and profile visibility. Explain to your child how to report and block contacts and content. If your child is still young, he or she can use TikTok in accompanied mode. As a parent, you have the option to restrict various functions. On Instagram, you can get insight about contacts and followers through parent supervision and set time limits. Snapchat ‘s Family Center allows an overview of one’s child’s usage without being able to access the content of messages and posts. With YouTube, you can either set up restricted access or use the child-friendly alternative YouTube Kids.
With streaming services like Netflix, the main concern is that your child only has access to age-appropriate movies and series. Many, but not all, of the contents are FSK-approved and are marked with age ratings. Set up a separate profile for each of your children and protect your profile with a secure PIN.
You know your child best. You know what he or she likes to do with media and where your child should be especially protected. Keep your knowledge of parental control settings and programs up to date. Use help services such as medien-kindersicher.de. There you’ll find suitable settings for every device and operating system, for every app, every hot game and social media offering, according to age group. Use technical youth media protection to support your media education. Accompany your child’s media use, set a good example, and encourage your child’s media literacy.
Whether at home or on the road – with the smartphone, access to the Internet is possible almost everywhere. There are different ways to connect mobile devices to the network. The WLAN at home should be password protected. Anyone who uses mobile data must pay attention to the data volume. Surfing on public WLANs means being careful with personal data.
WLAN is the abbreviation for the English term “Wireless Local Area Network” and means in German: “Kabelloses lokales Umgebungsnetzwerk”. The wireless local area network is tied to a specific location, for example, home or office. Data transmission works via radio and is limited to the area around the router location. Payment is made via a contract with a telecommunications company, often in combination with telephone and television. Many contracts offer a high or even unlimited data volume.
“Give me your Wi-Fi password real quick!”. Those who have guests often share not only the living room, but also Internet access with family and friends. For WLAN access at home, you should set a password and change it regularly. It is important to give the password only to trusted persons and to set up guest accesses if possible.
Don’t be afraid to switch off: set the WLAN provisioning times so that the WLAN is switched off for a time during the day, for example at night. Taking a break from screen time can be good for the whole family.
There are often public WLAN hotspots in places like train stations, restaurants, or squares. This can be practical, because they are free of charge and save your own data volume. In most cases, public WLANs operate via a login with or without a password, during which consent to the terms of use is requested.
Caution: Public WLANs offer little control and security. They are usually not as well encrypted as the private WLANs at home and offer points of attack for hackers – keyword data theft. Use only trusted public WLANs and pay close attention to the correct name of the network. If you are unsure: as a precaution, do not share any personal information and do not log in to any accounts such as email or social media accounts. Avoid sensitive transactions such as online banking or online shopping.
The mobile data connection enables access to the Internet via the user’s own mobile communications contract. A good network reception must be available for this. When using mobile data, it is important to observe the data volume specified in the contract. Therefore, have an eye on your consumption. If possible, don’t download apps or watch long videos. Gaming apps also consume a lot of data volume. Additional costs could arise here. Check your app permissions: certain actions should only happen when you have access to a WLAN, for example downloading large files such as photos or voice messages.
The private hotspot (or mobile WLAN hotspot) works like a bridge: via it, the Internet access of one device is transmitted to another device. For example, mobile data from the cellular network can also be used on the laptop. This process is called tethering. A hotspot can be set up via the settings, but not every smartphone and not every cell phone contract offer this function.
Attention: If you activate a hotspot, it will be displayed as WLAN for all devices in the vicinity. Therefore, be sure to protect the hotspot with a secure password. Pay attention to your data volume and battery consumption: Video conferencing, streaming services and online games draw a particularly large amount of energy and data. If you share your mobile data with third parties, you are liable for violations of the law by the users, such as illegal streaming. Share your private hotspot only with trusted people in your immediate circle.
Children and young people want to be online wherever possible and access the Internet quickly. Set up a secure WLAN connection at home. With routers such as the FRITZ!Box, you can make parental control settings and set a blocking time, for example. Agree on rules to whom the password may be disclosed. Explain to your child the difference between the use of WLAN and mobile data and encourage him or her to save data. Protect your child’s data: talk to your child about the risks of public WLANs and hotspots and check the settings on the smartphone together.
Some apps only work if they can access certain functions and data on the device: Google Maps needs access to the location, for example, in order to navigate, Instagram would like to access camera and photos, because otherwise no pictures could be posted and WhatsApp accesses the saved contacts to be able to send messages. But with some apps, it is not clear at first glance why they request a lot of personal data and permissions during installation. To avoid unintentionally storing and sharing your child’s data, it makes sense to keep track of app permissions together and make the right settings.
After downloading an app, so-called permissions are often requested when opening it for the first time. This defines which functions and data the respective app is allowed to access on the device. However, some apps want to access functions that are not necessary and require more permissions than necessary. The main reason behind this is the interest in using data for analysis or advertising purposes or passing it on to third parties. This is especially the case with free apps and many game apps, as they earn money by sharing user data. Unfortunately, this is why they are often questionable in terms of data protection.
For each app, it is best to check exactly which permissions are granted with the installation and whether they are really necessary for the app to function before downloading it. In the Google Play Store or the App Store , you can see what an app wants to access. The information about app permissions can be found in the Play Store , if you scroll down a bit,under “Data security”. You can learn more in Apple’s App Store by clicking on “Privacy”. There, under “Data associated with you”, you will find categories of data that are collected when you use the app. Further links lead to the app’s privacy policy and terms and conditions (unfortunately often only in English).
View the permissions of an app on the smartphone to know what features and information it accesses. It is best to look at these together with your child and discuss which settings should possibly also be deactivated. There are two options for both Android (from version 6.0) and Apple devices (iPhone/iPad from IOS 7). To do this, go to the “Settings” for both operating systems.
You can learn more about app permission settings on Android devices by contacting Google support.
You can learn more about app permission settings on Apple devices by contacting Apple support.
Agree with your child whether or not they can install apps independently. Is your child already experienced with smartphone use and can he or she assess which app permissions are useful or does he or she still need support?
Talk about which permissions make sense for which apps and show your child how to disable permissions. Access to location information or saved contacts should be handled with care in order to protect your own data. Consider together what is more important, using a particular app or maintaining privacy. If necessary, research alternative apps that are privacy-friendly.
Even after installation, check the permissions at regular intervals. For some apps, permissions change during updates.
If you are unsure whether an app is trustworthy, it is worth looking for information about the developer or provider on the web. On klick-tipps.net, numerous apps popular with children are evaluated and presented with a view to possible risks.
“Look dad, a giant beetle!”, “Mom, can I eat this berry?”, “What bird is singing?”. When it comes to nature and the environment, children make many exciting discoveries. Apps can help to explore and more accurately identify animals and plants around us.
Children are curious by nature and want to understand exactly what they are discovering in the world. Besides books and encyclopedias on animal and plant identification, you can also use your smartphone to discover the nature around you together! Whether flowers or butterflies, animal tracks or constellations – with the right apps, you can learn new things about animals and plants together with your child. Take advantage of your child’s joy of discovery and combine nature experience in the fresh air with. We present you four selected apps.
What’s blooming by the wayside? Take a picture of a flower, a stalk or a leaf while you’re out walking and find out the answer in seconds – that’s what the app Flora Incognita (Latin for “unknown plant world”) allows you to do. It is easy to use and with it children become naturalists. Thanks to a special algorithm, the app recognizes a variety of flowers, shrubs, trees and grasses and provides information about them. The discoveries can be saved in the app, giving scientists clues about the distribution of plants. “Flora Incognita” is the product of a research project of the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry Jena & TU Ilmenau. The app is available free of charge and ad-free for iOS and Android devices.
More info: Flora Incognita | EN – The Flora Incognita App – Interactive Plant Identification
“Cuckoo, cuckoo, calls from the forest!”. Birds often sit well hidden in bushes or on high trees. We don’t always see them, but can easily hear their chirping and calling. Telling the different bird calls apart is not so easy. The app BirdNET (English for “bird net”) offers assistance. With it, bird calls can be recorded and directly determined. PROFILEs give more detailed information about the feathered animals, the records are used scientifically. BirdNET is a research project of the TU Chemnitz & Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The free, ad-free app is available for both iOS and Android.
More info: BirdNET Sound ID – The easiest way to identify birds by sound. (cornell.edu)
The app iNaturalist is a social platform that connects nature lovers worldwide in a community. Through a profile you can upload and identify photos of all kinds of animals, plants and fungi. The observations are tagged with the location and stored. This allows other users to look up what animals and plants have been spotted in the area and discuss the findings. There are an impressive number of discoveries in the free app. Nevertheless, it is clearly designed and easy to use for older children. iNaturalist is free and available for Android and for iOS.
More info: A community for nature lovers – iNaturalist
Big Dipper, Milky Way, Polaris: that’s how familiar most people are with our night sky. Beyond that, it often already becomes difficult. The app Star Walk 2 offers the possibility to discover the stars and planets around us with the location of the camera function. By clicking on a celestial body, users can learn more about it. Using augmented reality, the app connects individual stars to form beautiful, three-dimensional constellations and accompanies the experience with atmospheric music. In-app purchases provide access to more categories such as satellites and comets. The app is free of charge and advertising in the basic version and available for Android and iOS.
More info: Easily Identify Stars at Night | Mobile Stargazing | Current Starry Sky | Star Walk
One’s own schedule is often full enough, but coordinating the schedules of all family members turns mothers and fathers into true family managers. Who brings the children to daycare and school and when and picks them up again? The son has regular guitar lessons, the daughter has soccer practice several times a week and a game on the weekend, in between is grandma’s birthday and the fridge also needs to be filled. Apps programmed specifically for this purpose can help to better organize everyday family life.
Some of these apps work like a calendar that each family member can access with their own smartphone and add or modify appointments. This allows upcoming appointments and tasks to be coordinated without being in the same location. Some of the apps also offer additional functions such as sending photos or voice messages.
There are also digital shopping planners that all family members can view and modify. If you spontaneously finish work early, you can simply check the app to see what still needs to be purchased. Or you can order the groceries you want directly to your home via app, which eliminates the need to go to the supermarket and leaves time for other things.
For longer-term meal planning and buying the groceries you need, there’s Our Groceries. The app is available for both Apple and Android devices. There are also special family planners that combine various functions such as calendars, shared lists and chat functions. Among the best known are Famanice and Cozi Family Organizer.
Consider together as a family whether using such apps makes sense for you. Look at the capabilities of each app and decide how and what to use it for.
Some applications require a lot of personal data and permissions to install, and it is often not clear why they are needed. You still want to use the app? Find out whether the permissions are actually necessary for the app to function and whether they can possibly be deactivated in the settings. You should also be aware that access rights give app providers and third parties access to personal data. Also find out if there are any hidden costs for extensions within the app or if there may be costs at a later date.
To help you select and evaluate the various apps, the Internet Guide for Parents will in the future present a series of apps with answers to the following questions, among others: What functions do they offer? What are the possible risks?
Children of daycare and elementary school age especially like animated films. And the great thing is, it doesn’t take much to make your own at home: smartphone or tablet, construction paper and pens, and the kids’ room becomes a film studio.
Animated films are based on the stop motion technique. You know this from flipbooks, for example. Many images that differ only in details are shown in quick succession. One perceives the small changes on each individual image as a whole as movement. The opening and closing credits of “Sandmännchen” and the stories of “Shaun the Sheep” are also produced with this technology.
Does your child like to paint or tinker, or does he or she prefer to play with Duplo and Lego? Such things can also be used wonderfully for the production of the first own film. Then you’re ready to go!
And now… have fun trying it out!
