E-mails are commonplace for adults and many children and young people already use them regularly. A personal e-mail address is often required to log in to game sites and learning platforms, for example. Especially during the coronavirus lockdown, schools have increasingly sent information and tasks by email. We have a few tips for safe e-mailing for your child.
Most e-mail providers are not specifically aimed at children and young people. Their inboxes are often equipped with many functions that are difficult for younger users to understand. There are also dangers such as spam, phishing and chain letters that children and young people need to be familiarized with.
Spam refers to unsolicited e-mails that contain advertising. They are sent by people or algorithms automatically and without prompting. The same applies to phishing emails that aim to defraud the recipient, for example through fake competitions or false invoices. Some of these emails also contain malicious links or files that can infect your computer.
Some of the unsolicited e-mails also contain content that is not suitable for children, such as pornography. This may be due to the fact that the e-mail address was used for chats or games when registering. Such services protect the personal data of their users to varying degrees, allowing strangers to contact children without their consent. This can be particularly overwhelming for children and young people who may not yet have developed strategies to deal with such risks.
Before you set up an e-mail address for your child, you should think together about what it will be used for. Children under the age of 13 are not yet allowed to use many services (according to the General Terms and Conditions and Data Protection Act). Many schools offer their own e-mail addresses for school purposes, which must meet certain security standards. Explain to your child that such an address may only be used for school purposes. Among other things, such e-mail addresses (e.g. lena.meier@schule-am-hasengraben.de) can reveal specific information about your child. This can be risky if the address falls into the wrong hands.
Even with “private” email addresses, for example for social media, it is important that your child uses an imaginary name and that the email address cannot be traced back to them. Make it clear to your child that the e-mail address should not be passed on carelessly. It is best to use a secure e-mail provider.
Also explain to your child what spam is and how to deal with it. In many programs, spam messages can be marked so that they are automatically sorted out. If the sender of an e-mail is unknown, you and your child should be careful. It is best to delete such messages immediately and do not click on links or file attachments.
If your child is old enough to log on to social media or other services, do it together. Make sure that the e-mail address is not displayed publicly. Switch off information e-mails from the provider. Otherwise, the mailbox can quickly become overcrowded and it will be difficult for your child to distinguish between spam and important messages.
Especially for younger children it is recommended to use a suitable e-mail program. Mail providers especially for children have only the most important functions and guarantee certain protective measures:
The child-friendly programs all have spam and virus protection. This will prevent your child from receiving unwanted advertising or chain letters in the first place. However, ZUM ‘s internal search is linked to Google, which is why adult search results may also appear.
Some of the programs are free of charge(Mail4Kidz for the first six months) and are particularly suitable for children under the age of 15. Kidsmail24 users have the option of switching to an unrestricted account once they reach the age of 14. Despite child-friendly programs, your child is never protected from all risks on the net. As a parent, you should therefore talk to your child regularly about their contacts on the Internet and give your child the security of knowing that they can turn to you if they have any problems.
Terrible rocket attacks, traumatized war victims, families on the run – images of violence and destruction from the war in the Middle East and Ukraine dominate the news. On Elternguide.online you will find the following information on dealing with the topic of war in the media:
The current time is characterized by crises, new conflicts and wars are flaring up again and again. On the smartphone, in conversations in the playground or on TV – children also hear about these terrible events. Keeping children away from news altogether is neither possible nor advisable. Rather, take your child’s questions and concerns seriously and help him or her process stressful messages. In this article, we explain how to guide your child regarding news of war and where to find child-friendly information about war.
News programs for adults such as the Tagesschau are not suitable for children. The drastic images can trigger fears and the content is often difficult for children to understand. However, that doesn’t mean your child has to be kept away from news altogether. There are high-quality media offerings that enable children and young people to gain an overview of the current world situation. There, they receive comprehensible answers to their questions and safe, age-appropriate information on global crises. We present recommended websites, videos, audios and social media channels that are specifically tailored to the needs of young people in this article. For an extensive list of child-friendly news on the war in the Middle East as well as the war in Ukraine, visit Flimmo.
Social media users are getting unfiltered war content flushed into their timelines. Algorithms on Instagram, YouTube and the like mean that even children and young people are unintentionally exposed to content that they do not want to see or that is unsuitable for them. In addition, children and young people actively use social media offerings as a search engine and source of information. In addition to harrowing live reports from those affected in crisis areas, the posts also include disinformation, fake news and conspiracy myths. TikTok is particularly challenging in this regard. The endless feed of short videos encourages doomscrolling, and the platform is used particularly heavily for propaganda and influencing opinion. To learn how to help your child deal with war content on TikTok, check out this article.
Stay engaged with your child on current crisis issues, make appropriate news sources accessible to them, and don’t leave them alone with bad news. If your child is older, strengthen their information literacy skills and educate them about challenges with social media use like fake news. Be a role model by using news from verified sources yourself and use age-appropriate information services together with your child. Looking and empathizing is important. But if you notice that it’s getting too much for your child – consciously switch off and help your child avoid excessive digital stress.
Twitter has been called X since July 2023. Not only the logo with the blue bird is passé, the American entrepreneur and new owner Elon Musk also wants to rebuild the platform concept. The popular social media offering is to become a multifunction app. After more than 15 years, this marks the end of the Twitter brand.
X works similarly to Facebook or Instagram, for example: A profile is created with personal information that others can follow. However, many users simply follow the postings of others. Famous personalities such as soccer players, female influencers, politicians or even journalists have the largest following. Companies and brands are also represented at X. In the “Follow Me” timeline, posts from subscribed channels appear chronologically. The “For You” feed shows content recommended by an algorithm. Unregistered readers can see posts, but cannot follow anyone directly.
Posts often consist of text only and are hashtagged. A maximum of 280 characters, i.e. letters, numbers, punctuation marks and symbols, can be used in one post. But also pictures, videos etc. can be sent and shared. Those who sign up for the X Blue premium subscription get advanced features such as post editing, longer messages with more characters, and fewer ads.
The peculiarity of X is that the short statements of mostly well-known people lead to discussions outside of X. US President Trump’s posts are a good example of this. The repost function also plays a role here. Posts are shared or referred to in a separate post. Discussions also often arise in the comments under the posts. In addition, direct messages can be written via a chat.
X is used relatively little by young people compared to other social media platforms. If they do, they are often politically interested and committed young people. But popular stars and musicians are also on X and post information about themselves.
The fascination around X is, on the one hand, the discussions, in which things sometimes go back and forth violently. On the other hand, some posts are sent out quickly and spontaneously. If you follow the posts at big events like soccer matches or elections, you get to see the reaction of the spectators live.
Personal information and statements are freely available to all. Through hashtags, posts that were actually intended for a small circle can suddenly be seen by very many users. Also, there is a risk that some users may try to contact your child with bad intentions.
Some discussion on X goes below the belt with racist or sexist posts or comments. In addition to hate comments, the spread of fake news can also be a problem.
Billionaire Elon Musk bought Twitter in late 2022 and wants to transform the microblogging service into a multifunctional app including payment services and online commerce. The terms of use have not changed since then. X may be used from 13 years, according to the provider. There is also the option to block users so that they can no longer make contact. People who post problematic content, such as hate comments or insults, can be reported and blocked. Content moderation has been reduced since Elon Musk took over.
If your child is under 18, you must agree to register with X. Make your child aware of how to report or block problematic content or people on X if needed. With the option to protect your own posts, they can be seen only by a selected circle. Explain to your child who may be able to see personal information and statements and what the consequences may be. Help your child understand and classify content on X by talking to them about how discussions can get heated and what other risks there are. If your child is interested in X or similar services, look at alternatives together, such as the decentralized microblogging platform Mastodon.
A bad event, such as the start of the war in Ukraine, usually dominates media coverage or street conversations for days. Children get to hear what adults are preoccupied with and are thus confronted with frightening, current events. It is hardly possible and makes little sense to keep children and young people completely away from the news. In this article, we explain how young people can be accompanied on the subject of news and what age-appropriate offers there are.
Many parents rightly wonder how to explain such events to children without frightening them. Adult news overwhelms children due to its complexity and the depictions of e.g. catastrophes, terror and violence. Especially pictures or videos are often still unsuitable for them, as they are difficult to classify and process. In times of fake news and many news sources that are difficult to assess, children and young people should be strengthened in their ability to understand, analyze and evaluate news in an age-appropriate way.
A variety of safe news services suitable for children are available for this purpose. They offer a wide range of topics and cover children’s interests. Your child will find news here conveyed in an age-appropriate way, in understandable language, with simple and clear sentences. In addition, dramatic and frightening images and videos are avoided. Sometimes children even become reporters themselves and report on events from their own perspective.
Examples of messages for children and young people on the Internet are
The children’s search engines blinde-kuh.de and fragfinn.de help to check news from different sites in a quick run. Here, articles from various child-friendly offers are displayed at a glance.
Podcasts have also long since arrived in the children’s room. In short audio files, children can get an overview of what is happening in the world right now. News in audio format comes entirely without frightening images, creating an inclusive opportunity for all children who cannot read or see.
Interesting examples of podcasts are:
Young people inform themselves less via linear television and more via social media platforms such as
YouTube
,
Instagram
and
TikTok
. Social networks and messengers are not only home to serious news offerings, but it is precisely there that young people are confronted with disinformation and opinion mongering, for example on extremist positions. The following formats from public broadcasters and other providers are recommended:
The following also applies to messages suitable for children: Depending on the child’s individual stage of development, you should watch or listen to messages specifically for the respective age group together with your child. Younger children in particular absorb news unfiltered and have difficulty assessing the extent to which the content affects them and influences their lives. Especially with bad events it is important to classify them well. Take your child’s fears seriously, talk to him about them, and comfort him. This will help your child understand the message and process it well.
For young people, it is important to continuously strengthen their information literacy. Give your child access to youth-friendly news portals. Stay in touch about what is happening on a daily basis and also talk critically about sources. Educate your child about phenomena like fake news, conspiracy myths, and propaganda, and set a good example by getting news only from reputable sources.
False news, fake news, alternative facts and conspiracy theories – we have been hearing these terms again and again in connection with news for some years now. But they don’t necessarily mean the same thing. Therefore, we explain here what distinguishes the terms.
Disinformation refers to all those news and facts that are demonstrably false or misleading. They often seem true because they are wrapped in a story. Therefore, it can quickly happen that you fall for it. Disinformation is intentionally spread in order to spread a certain mood – for example, against certain people or political measures. Disinformation is especially a problem in times of crisis, such as the Corona pandemic or the Ukraine war.
“Fake news” is a term often used colloquially to describe disinformation. However, it is also used politically to disparage other political positions or people. Sometimes it is also used to criticize traditional media.
In contrast, misinformation is incorrect or untrue information that is disseminated without intent. In the past, there were occasionally so-called “newspaper hoaxes”: In this case, a report was published in the newspaper that subsequently turned out to be false. The newspaper pointed out in a later issue.
You may know satire from programs like the heute show or from memes. It is a form of artistic expression. Although satire often uses stylistic devices similar to those used for disinformation (e.g., exaggeration or simplification of facts), it does not belong to disinformation. Satire does not want to intentionally deceive, but to make grievances or problems clear.
Propaganda refers to all actions and methods used to disseminate targeted views, ideas or information (including disinformation) in order to politically influence or manipulate public opinion in a particular way. This also includes posters and the like.
Conspiracy narratives are based on the view that there are planned conspiracies behind political actions or certain events. Very well known is the conspiracy that September 11 was caused by the Americans themselves. This would have given the U.S. justification to invade Iraq and overthrow the ruler.
Conspiracy theories lend themselves to finding simple explanations for complicated relationships. A simple worldview is developed based on clichés or stereotypes. Persons and facts are clearly divided – into good and bad, right or wrong.
You can learn how you and your children can recognize and deal with false reports or disinformation in our article on the topic.
The social media platform TikTok is best known for its funny music and dance videos. The smartphone clips usually last no longer than a minute and disappear after scrolling once. Among the content from friends, influencers and musicians, there is also content that TikTok automatically generates for its own feed. Like, for example, videos of the war in Ukraine. TikTok‘s special algorithm means that clips from the war, as well as propaganda and fake videos, are flushed unfiltered onto the smartphones of children and young people.
Brutal images, tank videos, burning houses or escape stories – scroll once and children and young people see videos on TikTok that have been posted without context and clearly have something to do with war. The people in the videos are often just as old as the users themselves: Young people who tell stories from the first-person perspective of bunkers, bombing raids and escape. But what is real and what is fake? Disinformation, fake live streams and war propaganda are shared via TikTok . Staged videos that are only posted for likes, clicks, or with a request for donations make their rounds. Bots are used to comment on posts and heat up the mood.
TikTok serves as a source of information for children and young people, and hashtags make it easy to search for other videos on the topic. Since the actual sources are usually not displayed, it is challenging for children and young people to properly assess the flood of unverified content. There is also the risk of doomscrolling, i.e. getting caught in a spiral of bad news.
Through the algorithm, children and young people are confronted without being asked with “explicit” content that they may not even want to see and that is unsuitable for them. The editing and music of fake videos sometimes stir up strong emotions, and it’s hard to keep your distance.
Russia uses the platform for propaganda purposes, the word “war” is banned in Russian media in connection with the Ukraine war. The Ukrainian president calls on his compatriots to inform about the war through TikTok. So the war is also taking place via TikTok and the platform is perfect for influencing opinion.
TikTok is responding to current developments and implementing measures to protect the community. Currently, more and more content from state-controlled media is being flagged, including from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus. TikTok is also taking stronger action against misinformation. The video platform works with independent fact-checkers who continuously check and flag the accuracy of content, block accounts and delete videos. On its “Discover” page, TikTok provides tips on how users can strengthen their digital skills.
The transition from banal entertainment to the horror of war happens rapidly on TikTok. Funny dance videos are followed by tank pictures. This can overwhelm your child. Preventing your child from receiving such videos is not possible.
The war in Ukraine and the portrayal of it in the media can be overwhelming not only for children and young people, but also for adults. Remain yourself and talk about your feelings in connection with the Ukraine war. For more on this topic, see the article Children and News of the War.
Short videos from the war zone on TikTok, pictures of flood victims on Instagram, the latest incidence figures in the newsfeed – does this flood of negative news and information on the net sound familiar? And do you feel like you want to know more and more about it and can’t get away from it? This phenomenon has a name: Doomscrolling.
The word doomscrolling is composed of the English words doom and scrolling. Doom translates as “doom” or “doom”, scrolling means something like “scrolling” and describes the shifting of the screen. Doomscrolling refers to the excessive consumption of bad news on the web.
In times of Corona, the Ukraine war and climate change, it is difficult for children and young people, but also for us adults, to keep track of current developments. Especially in social media, we are confronted with the latest photos, videos and information every day. This is stressful, can quickly become overwhelming, and can lead to negative thoughts and anxiety. To deal with this fear, we gather even more information to better assess current situations. This starts the search history, which seems to lead to infinity, and the doomscrolling effect begins.
In the process, we forget how much time we spend in front of the smartphone, tablet or laptop and remain for hours in a never-ending vortex of negative messages. In addition, the algorithms of social networks adapt to our interest in negative news and constantly provide us with new horror stories without us being aware of it.
The most important thing is to become aware of the constant consumption of negative messages. Because only when you and your child develop an awareness of your own media actions in terms of doomscrolling can you rethink your behavior.
When it comes to doomscrolling, it helps not to lose sight of positive news and experiences and to take care of yourself. Stay engaged in conversation with your child about negative messages they read and strengthen their media and information literacy. This also includes dealing with fake news.
The whole world is shocked by news about Russia’s attack on Ukraine. What leaves adults stunned is even more difficult for children to grasp. Keeping children away from the latest news is almost impossible. Therefore, it is better to accompany them, answer questions and be there.
These are the most important tips for dealing with terrible news for children and their parents:
Children often get more than adults think. Be responsive to questions and take your child’s feelings seriously. If he can talk about his worries, an important step towards processing has been taken. Comfort your child and give them a hug – it will give them peace of mind during these scary times!
Younger children process things that occupy them in play or by drawing a picture. If your child doesn’t do it on their own, you can encourage them to do it and join in. Expressing yourself in pictures or text can also be a great way for older children and teens. But conversations and concrete information are also important for them. Show your child age-appropriate offerings and alert him or her to possible misinformation. Encourage your child to show you when he or she is sent frightening pictures and videos via social media or Messenger so you can talk about it.
Even as an adult, you have the right to be overwhelmed with the situation and the news. You do not have to be able to answer all the questions. Be honest with your child and show your ignorance or feelings related to the events in Ukraine. It is important that you do not avoid the topic.
In our article“News for children and young people” you will find more tips on how to deal with information and link tips to age-appropriate information offers suitable for children.
On FLIMMO you can read even more info on how to deal with the“war in Europe“. Our colleagues at fragFINN and Kindersache also have news and link tips suitable for children.
The Corona pandemic made a big difference in everyone’s lives. We have to restrict ourselves greatly and follow rules in order not to endanger ourselves and others. We are unsettled because we do not know what will happen next and how dangerous the virus is for us.
Children are particularly affected by the restrictions and also want to know what is happening in the world. They cannot go to school or daycare, are not allowed to meet their friends or visit their grandparents. Children often understand even less than adults what is happening.
Even if you yourself are unsure and do not understand everything about Corona, you should help your child deal with the current situation. Similar to adults, children can cope better with prohibitions and restrictions if they can understand them. Just like you, your child has a need to be informed when something changes. Don’t leave your child out when there are new developments and policies, but include them and talk about them. Explain to your child why it is important to keep your distance or reduce contact.
The pandemic triggers a feeling of uncertainty and helplessness in most people. Children usually find it difficult to separate fears and fantasy from reality. Talk to your child about concerns and questions and be sure to take them seriously. In this way, you can help your child to realistically assess the virus and the risks it poses.
Certain offerings can help your child better understand the situation. Child-friendly news sites report in a simple and understandable way. Short videos help absorb difficult information without getting bored quickly. Complex scientific contexts and political decisions become more understandable through everyday examples. Such special messaging services also refrain from using photos or videos that might frighten your child.
Watching websites and messages like Logo! together can help your child understand better and not be afraid. They are there and can respond to inquiries and concerns.
Independent media use and information gathering is also important for your child and strengthens them in their media skills. As a parent, you should still keep an eye on which websites your child visits. You can best assess whether your child can already safely visit such sites alone and understand the content!
It is not always easy for children to distinguish fake news from news from trustworthy sources. You may quickly encounter and believe false reports or conspiracy narratives about Corona. This can add to the fear and uncertainty. Therefore, always be close by to respond to possible questions. Here you can find more tips on how to deal with Fake News.
Find out about child-friendly and safe information services. Here, too, there are differences. Some of the offerings are more text-based and aimed at older children, while others provide information in a simple form for younger children. Agree with your child on specific news channels or sites where he or she is allowed to find out about current issues on his or her own.
More child-friendly information about Corona on the Internet can be found here:
The media magazine Scroller is intended to introduce children to current media topics and support them in a competent use of YouTube and the like. The characters Trixi and Tom guide your child through the world of media.
Scroller is an offer of Teachtoday, an initiative of the German Telekom. It deals with everyday topics such as cyberbullying, data protection on social media channels and conspiracy theories – in a child-friendly and playful form. Children are encouraged to deal with current topics in the media world.
The magazine can be read digitally on the website or ordered free of charge as a brochure. In addition to a German and English version, the magazine is also available in Arabic.
The content of the media magazine is geared to the everyday lives of children. It’s about issues they deal with every day. The website is colorfully designed and offers many options. Young readers can take tests on their own media literacy , watch videos with craft instructions, and click through the picture stories. In the format “The Children’s Reporters”, children themselves have their say, conduct interviews and shoot short reports.
Scroller ‘s website can be visited by children without any risk. No advertising is displayed and no data is requested. There is no way to communicate or get in touch with each other through the website. However, through links on the website, kids can quickly land on YouTube and easily access other content.
Because of the many icons and related links, it can be a little more difficult for younger children to find their way around the website on their own. There is an enclosed parenting guide in the print edition of Scroller . This way, you can discover the world of media together and discuss media topics with your child.
Children and young people want to understand the world. The older they get, the more they inform themselves on social networks – including about current news. For example, they watch videos by YouTubers LeFloid and MrWissen2Go, which summarize and comment on daily topics. News formats on YouTube are popular with young people primarily because they are easy to understand, short and entertaining. Unlike on television or in newspapers, however, virtually anyone can upload and distribute content on the Internet. But who controls the truthfulness of the content on YouTube?
The success of YouTube videos depends on clicks and views. The funnier and more exaggerated content is presented, the more often it is clicked and reaches more people. The quality or accuracy of the content does not necessarily matter.
YouTube is not an educational service, but a commercial platform of Google. The content does not come from Google, but from the users themselves. Thousands of videos are uploaded every day. False reports can also end up on YouTube and remain visible until YouTube is made aware of them and can have them checked.
Some YouTubers like to include their personal opinions on current topics. Of course, this is particularly exciting for young people because they want to form their own opinions. However, they can also be quickly influenced. Some people take advantage of this and want to convince young people in particular of their opinion. Children and young people can therefore come into contact with populist and extremist content on YouTube. The comment function is also used to spread false news and propaganda channels.
Should we believe what is said or not? Some questions can help to classify it: What the main message of the video? Do I feel informed by the video or am I agitated? Is a bad mood being created against certain people or groups? To influence the feelings of the viewers, dramatic music or shocking images are used, for example. If there is no information about who made the video and where the knowledge is from, one should be skeptical and try to verify the statements.
You don’t decide alone which videos are displayed on YouTube. Depending on what terms you have already searched for and what videos you have watched, YouTube will suggest other videos that you might therefore like. It is programmed that way. This can create a one-sided view of the world because other perspectives and information are less present….
Despite these risks, help your child stay informed about world events. If you are up to speed yourself, you may be able to answer his questions yourself. Or you can research answers together. This way, your child learns what to look for when searching for information on the web and how to classify it. In the article “All fake? Recognizing Fake News” you will find tips on how to do this. Good sources are usually the offerings of public service media, as these must meet certain journalistic criteria. You can also find them on YouTube – e.g. in the various formats of funk which are especially tailored to the interests of people between the ages of 14 and 25.
The need to inform themselves and develop their own opinions is important for children and young people to be able to help shape society one day as adults. YouTube can also be useful for school.
A server is a storage on which contents of web pages, e-mails or files are stored. Every program or app needs servers in the background to store and process its users’ data, including WhatsApp, for example.
When sending messages, it then works like this: When person A sends a message, the first thing that happens is that it is sent to WhatsApp’s servers. They ensure that the exchange of messages works. This is comparable to a post office, where all letters are collected before they are delivered. The message is then forwarded to person B from the WhatsApp servers. Afterwards, person B can read the message on his smartphone. Compared to letter mail, the exchange happens online in just a few seconds.
