After the highly acclaimed launch of the game app Pokémon GO in 2016, there continue to be enthusiastic players worldwide and more and more of these little monsters, called Pokémon. Maybe you know Pikachu, Glumanda and Shiggi from your own childhood – from trading cards or the video game.
In Pokémon GO, the player becomes the trainer. He or she collects Pokémon all around the environment. These are developed, trained and can compete against each other in battle.
Pokemon GO is a so-called location-based game app that only works with an Internet connection, GPS turned on, and camera access. On the cell phone display, the surroundings are shown as a virtual map. On this, the little monsters appear when you move with your smartphone (outdoors). In addition, in some places there are so-called Pokéstops, where you can collect the Pokéballs and other accessories that are important for catching Pokémons, or arenas, where Pokémons of different players compete against each other.
To find certain Pokémons, the player must go to certain places. Because the numerous and different monsters can be found in different places, depending on their strength and characteristics.
The fusion of reality and play certainly inspires not only children and young people. Playing online with Pokémon GO is easy via smartphone, even outdoors and together. You can take the smartphone out of your pocket at any time and search for new monsters in the immediate vicinity. It’s like an exciting treasure hunt or relieves boredom while waiting for the bus, for example.
The different levels of the game also make it entertaining and attractive for young people: collecting and evolving monsters, fighting against each other, competing with each other by leveling up, and constantly evolving the game with new gadgets and new Pokémons. In recent years, more and more events and promotions are being offered for which gamers can buy tickets and network online or offline in real time.
Since Pokémon could theoretically appear anywhere on the road, users of the app tend to always have their eyes on the cell phone display, so caution is advised in traffic. As an add-on, the manufacturer offers the Pokéball Plus: a plastic ball that is connected to the smartphone via Bluetooth and vibrates when a Pokémon appears.
The app can also tempt you to visit unfamiliar places on your own, enter inaccessible places like construction sites, or run off at night to catch certain Pokémon. Make firm rules of the game here. Your child should always go on a quest accompanied by a friendly player, and a parent or guardian should always be aware of the locations visited.
Since there are always new Pokémon, the game virtually never ends. The more and stronger Pokémon you have, the higher your game level. Many children and young people like to compare themselves with each other and want to be better than the others. That’s why the app tempts you to want to keep playing. In the rules for game use, you should therefore determine together with your child how long and how often he or she may access the app.
In terms of data protection, Pokémon GO is subject to some criticism. In order for your child to use the app and go on a Pokémon hunt, GPS reception on the smartphone must be activated at all times. You have to give the app many more permissions, including access to the SD card and the camera. It is not clear to what extent the manufacturer Niantic uses all this data or could use it in the future.
The game is financed via
In-App Purchases
. You acquire virtual Poké coins through game progress or for real money, and in exchange you can get more or less important items. Accessories are also offered in miracle boxes, for example, eggs from which Pokémon hatch. These boxes are also called Lootboxes because the actual value of the content is a matter of luck. To avoid tempting your child, you as a parent can deactivate in-app purchases on iOS or password-protect them on Android. Because even without these in-app purchases, the game is fun!
The game was put under the microscope by Stiftung Warentest in 2019 and was the only one of the games tested to receive the second-best category of “Questionable”, whereas all the others received an “Unacceptable”. The only problem is data privacy: The name of the mobile provider and usage statistics are passed on to third parties, and the privacy policy is not understandable for children.
On the official website of the U.S. game manufacturer Niantic and when launching the app, among other things, the above-mentioned problems are pointed out and tips for safety are given. In addition, guardians are advised to use parental controls in the settings of cell phones. This can be used to limit game time and in-app purchases. Through the Niantic Kids Parent Portal, parents can set up, manage, and customize their child’s game accounts before their first game. More information offers the in-app purchases
Your child is eager to go hunting for Pokémon? Here you are faced with the task of assessing whether your child is aware of the risks being addressed. In addition to data protection issues (especially constant location tracking), this includes whether your child already understands the principle of “augmented reality” – that is, the merging of reality and play.
Always download only the original app (from Niantic). Third-party apps are often infected with malware.
You, as the parent or guardian, must set up a separate children’s account for children under 13. It is recommended to create a new account and not use an existing Google account. Use the Niantic Kids parent portal to manage your child’s game account.
It’s best to discover the game together with your child and agree on rules for the duration of the game, the permitted play radius and in-app purchases. Team up with friendly families and don’t let your child go off on their own. Maybe the game is a good opportunity for a joint Pokémon walk in the fresh air!
Is a smartwatch on your child’s birthday or Christmas wish list? Perhaps the wish has already come true, because in more and more families there are the smart wristwatches. The range of smartwatches is growing, and so is their range of functions.
It looks like a digital wristwatch, but it has a lot more to offer. The watch is actually a small computer that connects to your smartphone. But there are also smartwatches that work without a smartphone. You can read text messages on it without having to rummage for your smartphone in your pocket first. You can use it to navigate to the nearest movie theater, count your steps with the watch, and much more. In addition, the watch has a speaker and a microphone, so you can also make calls via the wrist without a smartphone.
For children, there are special smartwatches with a limited range of functions (sending and receiving text messages, GPS tracking, learning games, photo function, etc.) – with or without a connection to the Internet (via an integrated SIM card). Manufacturers promote these watches as an introduction to digital life and a good means of communication between parent and child.
Especially for younger children, they can be a practical alternative to the smartphone. The smart watches are usually easy to use and offer the most important functions. For children, the entertainment factor is paramount: they can play with the watch or chat with friends (as long as it has a SIM card and the parents have released the friends’ phone numbers for it in advance).
Not to be disregarded, however, is the possible control by parents. Thanks to the tracking function, mom and dad know where their child is, it can be reached at any time, and they can control which people the child communicates with. Surfing the Internet is not possible with all children’s smartwatches, since they do not necessarily have an Internet connection. This gives parents the security that their child cannot come across any questionable content.
On the one hand, the watches can provide a good introduction to the world of digital devices, as they do not necessarily need to have a connection to the Internet, but bring many attractive features for children, such as games and camera. Your child learns how to use his or her own device without it having to be an expensive smartphone.
On the other hand, there are functions that invade the child’s privacy. The GPS tracking function seems to make sense at first glance. Because that way you know where your child is at all times. But you should realize that your child also has a right to free development – albeit within a protected framework. Increasingly moving freely and having your own experiences as you grow older is important for your child. Activating the tracking function can be an infringement of your child’s freedom and lead to a breach of trust. Think back to your own childhood and give your child confidence.
Should you decide to purchase a children’s smartwatch together, get to know the watch together with your child and make the settings together. The control functions should only be activated in emergencies and with your child’s knowledge. Also make sure to read the privacy policy, the terms and conditions and the terms of use! Smartwatches are increasingly seen as data predators. Hackers may be able to easily gain access to the watches.
“Now put the phone down!”
“I think you’ve played long enough now!”
Do these sentences sound familiar? You may be worried that your child is spending too much time with media and that this is harming his or her health or disrupting family times together. But how much media time is actually problematic?
Digital media are not going away. They offer us many opportunities to be creative, to learn and to stay in touch in difficult times or across city and country borders. This year, children and young people between the ages of 12 and 19 spent an average of four hours a day using media. That is almost twice as long as ten years ago. The Corona pandemic is partly responsible. Two years ago, it was just over three hours a day.
Children also take their cue from their parents. Today, we can hardly imagine everyday life without media: We use the laptop for online shopping, the ticket app for the bus ride, the TV at the end of the day.
Smartphone, TV & Co are everyday for children and exert a strong attraction. It becomes difficult for parents when their children cannot find an ending. The brain of adolescents is still developing. That’s why it’s harder for them to stop, even when they’ve actually had enough. Using a medium intensively at times during a particular phase of life, such as puberty, can be unproblematic. Sometimes it can even help to get through this phase But excessive use can lead to stress or sleep disorders. In rarer cases, neglect of friends and school and loss of control may occur. If you observe such excessive behavior over an extended period of time, it is important to talk to your child and possibly seek counseling. To protect your children from this, it is therefore important to guide them in their use of media.
There is no clear answer to the question of how much media time is good for your child. Various guidebooks provide recommendations on media times. However, these are rough guide values. Much more important than the duration of use, in addition to the age and stage of development of your child, is the accompaniment of parents:
In the media and especially on the Internet, children and young people quickly come across problematic content that is not suitable for their age. They also sometimes spend so much time with media that they hardly do anything else.
Some therefore believe that children’s use of media should be severely limited or, in some cases, banned altogether. But does this make sense to protect children from harmful influences of media?
Media are as diverse as what can be seen, read and heard in them. The effects that media (content) has on people also differ greatly. The fact that children and young people are also very different means that we cannot speak of a general influence that media have on young people. For example, some children are more comfortable with violence in video games and movies than others.
Children and young people are not simply influenced from the outside. They actively engage with media or their favorite content and talk about it with friends. Young people also become producers of media content themselves and often even critically assess what they experience in their dealings with the media. Nevertheless, they need guidance in their media use.
On the Internet, young people repeatedly experience situations that overwhelm them and that they cannot handle alone. Some also spend a lot of time using digital media, which can then have a negative impact on their health. Some supposed experts have therefore been calling for a long time for media access for children to be banned or at least very severely restricted.
However, it is the case that young people come into contact with unpleasant content despite bans. For example, on the mobile devices of their friends. They are also often very adept at circumventing parental control settings, for example by providing a false year of birth.
Instead of banning the use of media, it makes more sense to teach children and young people how to use them. After all, it is only through exposure to the media that children and young people can develop important skills that they will also need later on in their everyday lives. As parents, you can support your children in this together with other people involved in media education.
Much media content is unsuitable for children and should not be accessible to them. It is important that your child uses age-appropriate media and is only allowed to navigate the Internet independently after a certain age, even though every child deals with media influences differently. Certain restrictions and fixed rules in the family are therefore necessary. However, it is just as important to explain and negotiate these restrictions and rules with each other. Complete media bans without justifications make little sense and may even increase the incentive to engage with this banned media (content). Instead, try to trust your child and give them space. You will not help your child achieve media literacy by banning all media, but by accompanying your child’s media use. To do this, always stay in communication with your child and with other parents.
Your child also admires one or more YouTube stars and would love to watch videos all the time? Then we have a few tips on how to regulate YouTube usage in your family. Note that not every tip is appropriate for every age of child.
In all linked articles you will find more information. These can be helpful if you want to share YouTube with your family.
When a loved one dies, it’s terrible. In addition to coping with the pain and grief, surviving dependents must also take care of the so-called digital legacy. This means, for example, data on social media channels, email accounts, cloud access or subscriptions to streaming services such as Netflix and Spotify. But what happens to a person’s digital legacy and who has a right to it?
For surviving dependents, insight into the digital legacy is of particular importance. Young people in particular usually spend a large part of their lives in the digital world, which is why there are also many digital mementos: Photos in the cloud or videos on social media platforms can give parents insights into their child’s life that they didn’t have before. This also means subsequently violating the privacy of the child and also pictured friends. At the same time, these glimpses in the mourning situation awaken painful memories in the relatives and can influence the image on the deceased person. Grieving loved ones should think about both before possibly looking into social media accounts.
Accounts on social media or messenger services can also be a platform to express or share grief with others. It happens that friends and family still write to the Facebook wall of the deceased person months later or tell him on WhatsApp continue to send messages. This can help in grief and be a way to say goodbye.
According to the law, the legal heirs have access to the digital heritage in most cases. If the deceased are children, they are usually the parents. However, depending on the provider and service, different regulations apply as to the extent to which insight into the accounts and data of the dead person is granted. Heirs do not always have the right of use, but often only the right to access the accounts left behind. You are allowed to view content, photos, messages and delete the account. However, the account may not continue to be used, nor may existing content such as postings or blog entries be modified. Heirs to the digital legacy should therefore look into the terms and conditions of the various providers.
Facebook grants survivors access to the profile and allows the account to be set to “memorial state”. The appointment of a so-called legacy contact on Facebook is already possible during one’s lifetime. Relatives and friends can still view the profile and leave messages.
Google also facilitates the organization of the digital legacy by asking users to appoint so-called account inactivity managers during their lifetime. These people get access to the person’s data as soon as the person has been inactive for a period of time determined by the person in advance.
Other providers such as Instagram or Yahoo , only allow existing accounts to be deleted. In this case, certain documents such as the death certificate are necessary and must be presented to the provider. This is to prevent accounts from being deleted by third parties for fun or as a threat, for example.
Besides data and precious memories, there is another reason to take care of your digital legacy. In addition to the rights, the obligations of the deceased person also pass to the heirs. Contracts concluded must still be honored or cancelled, bills paid and trips cancelled. Since it is often not clear which contracts are running and which bills still need to be paid, a look into the mailbox of the deceased person can help. In most cases, messages about online purchases, concluded contracts or booked trips can be found there.
An exception with regard to the digital legacy is frequently purchased digital goods such as e-books, movies, or music. These cannot always be passed on to third parties or bequeathed.
It’s hard to deal with your own death or that of a loved one while you’re alive – especially when it’s your own children. But such precautions are useful and save a lot of trouble and hassle during the difficult time. The will can state which data may be viewed and managed by whom. In addition, passwords and access data can be kept in a safe place so that heirs can access them in case of emergency. Some online services also allow you to specify an authorized contact while you are still alive. It makes sense to talk about which platforms and channels are actively used and what should happen to the accounts and data after a possible death. Various offers, such as Stiftung Warentest’s legacy set, can help to regulate the digital legacy.
You are sitting with your children having dinner together and talking, when suddenly your cell phone rings. How do you behave? Do you let family time get in the way?
Such situations probably exist in every family. Actually, it was agreed that the smartphone has no place during the meal. But if it rings mom’s bell, she may think it’s important and answer it anyway. But the rules should apply to everyone, right?
Be aware that parents and other adults have an important guidance function for children. Children learn from you how the world works and how to behave in certain situations. Your behavior therefore has a major impact on how your child uses media themselves. By setting an example of what a conscious approach to media can look like, you support your child in learning to use the smartphone and other media independently, sensibly and responsibly.
As young people get older, they also orient themselves more and more to their peers in their media use, and your influence as parents diminishes.
Perhaps your family also sometimes gets into arguments about media use, for example, when your child reaches for the smartphone out of boredom. They would find it better if it read a book or played with friends instead. Just think about what you do yourself in your free time. Do you watch series in the media library or sometimes just play games on your cell phone? It’s not just about what media you use, but how often, in what situations, and what content.
You might consider what that looks like for each family member. How much time does each person spend with media and with other things? Is the ratio is okay for you. Agree with your family on rules about media time and cell phone-free times. For this purpose, you can, for example, jointly create a media usage agreement. Or use an app that lets you keep track of time on your screen. Often there is also the option to track screen time or set up limits in the mobile settings.
It is advisable to consciously incorporate screen-free times and activities into everyday family life in order to be able to process the media content and to allow the body to exercise.
Always keep in touch with each other – even when it comes to media. By taking an interest in your child’s media consumption, you build trust. Then your child will also take you seriously when you express concerns about certain apps or platforms, or come to you when they encounter unpleasant things about their media use. Younger children in particular should not be left alone with media. Talk about what they saw.
Also, reflect on your own behavior on social media and hold yourself to the advice you give your child – such as not posting photos without the consent of the people in them.
Everyday life is often stressful and it is sometimes difficult to keep agreements. One is exposed to the pressure to be constantly available. Talk about this with your child as well. Be honest with yourself and show understanding for your child. It can also be helpful to look together at which agreements are going well and which are going less well!
With media, children can learn, be creative, relax and have fun. As parents, you are responsible for ensuring that media consumption does not get out of hand. Common rules for media use in the family are helpful.
It is difficult to make a concrete recommendation as to how much time a child of a certain age may spend with media. First, because every child is different and can handle media differently. Second, because media are used for very different purposes – for learning, for spending time together with family, for distraction, etc.
Still, it can help to determine how much time your child is allowed to spend with certain media per day or week. In doing so, you should consider together beforehand which media use falls under this. Is it all about screen media and media use solely for entertainment and relaxation? Are there dedicated time budgets for learning with media?
For children of elementary school age, clear rules are very important because they still need a lot of guidance. They create stability in everyday life and prevent uncontrolled media use. For children in the early elementary years, a set amount of time in the day works better, such as an hour of media time. From the age of about 10, children are already quite independent and can allocate weekly quotas themselves.
For younger children, a fixed time for media use can be set – for example, after homework and before dinner. This structures everyday life.
Settings in apps or devices can help children not to exceed the agreed time. However, your child should gradually learn to put the smartphone or tablet aside by itself after the screen time is over. In this way, they practice and internalize a conscious approach to media.
Children are still developing. That’s why you should make sure they only use age-appropriate media. The desire to watch movies or play games that are only appropriate for teens 12 or 16 and older often leads to conflict within the family. Especially when your child begins to consume media increasingly independently, you should therefore discuss this necessary rule together.
Another important rule, at least until the age of 13, should be that new apps can only be downloaded and tried with your consent and together with you. Give your child more responsibility as he or she gets older and give him or her freedom to use media independently. From adolescence onwards, fixed screen times can be slowly eliminated. Nevertheless, there should be rules about which apps are used and how one’s own data should be handled, for example, when registering with social networks.
Accompaniment by parents is still important in adolescence. Talk to your child about his or her media use. Ask how and why it uses what and how it gets along. Also, always be responsive when problems arise!
Agree on rules only together with your child so that he or she can understand them. Also consider what happens in the event of a rule violation. You can put all of these things in a media use agreement. Be careful not to use media bans as leverage.
As a parent, you are an important guide for your child. Therefore, you should consciously act as a role model – also with regard to your use of the media. Certain rules should apply to everyone. For example, you can agree that smartphones have no place at mealtimes or set up smartphone-free family days. Your child will be increasingly influenced by friends as they reach school age. Therefore, it can help to communicate with other parents what rules apply with them. Perhaps there can be rules that are the same for everyone.
The younger children are, the less they feel the need to use media. In the first years of life, other things play a more important role: contact with parents, learning to walk and talk, and so on. Your child needs a lot of attention from you in the first months and years. Therefore, you should not be distracted by devices. Agree on rules with your whole family about how to handle media in the presence of your child. Because even at baby age, you have an important role model function. If you don’t want your child to use media a lot already, you should use the smartphone or similar in front of your child little or not at all.
The older your child gets, the more he or she will be exposed to media. It wants to do the same as older siblings, mom or dad. Your child begins to understand what media is and how it works. It is becoming increasingly difficult to keep your child completely away from media. Rules can help shape how young children and preschoolers interact with media.
In order not to overtax your child, you should slowly expand the range of media used. Analog picture books, for example, can gradually be joined by audio stories and music. Short video chats with family members are also possible.
Young children can’t yet judge when it’s too much. If you schedule media use as a fixed activity during the day, such as an episode of Sandman before bedtime, your child will perceive it as a ritual to follow. Avoid using media as a babysitter .
Up to the age of three, very little time should be spent in front of a screen during the day. At this stage, children discover the world best with all their senses – with their hands, eyes, nose and mouth. On-screen content can quickly overwhelm them.
Between the ages of three and five, no more than 30 minutes at a time should be spent in front of the screen. These times are only an orientation. You know your child best and know what they can already do and understand. It is important that you accompany your child in their media use and observe how they deal with what they see and can answer questions. If your son or daughter seems very exhilarated afterwards, the usage time should be reduced.
Young children perceive media much more emotionally than adults. Some things they cannot yet process or understand. Therefore, close support from you as parents is important! Technical solutions cannot replace the conversation with you. When selecting content, be sure to check for age ratings and educational assessments, if applicable. Explain to your child why she is not yet allowed to watch certain series that her older sister may already be watching.
It is important to actually follow the rules that have been set. If your child is still young, you should only use media together anyway, and you can be mindful of time. For preschoolers who may already be able to watch a series on their tablet alone, limiting them to one episode helps. An egg timer can also be helpful, since time indications are still very abstract.
Talk to your child about the reasons for fixed screen time so they understand the rules. If children learn to use the media in a sensible and controlled way at a young age, this will also be easier for them later on.
“I’ll stop right now – really!” Do you know this phrase from your child? Then it is certainly a big fan of computer or console games. Digital games are a popular leisure activity for many children and young people, where they can use and train their playful skills. But they also lead to conflicts when, for example, games want to be played that are not suitable for the age or are played for longer than agreed.
Computer games can promote certain competencies at different stages of life. For example, game apps can help preschoolers learn to use numbers and language. Older children and teenagers can use games to improve their problem-solving skills.
We have summarized the most important recommendations for you to avoid conflicts around gaming in the family.
Let them show you how a game works and what excites your child about it. You won’t always be able to relate to the fascination, but take your child’s enthusiasm seriously anyway. Remember to also have them show you game apps that run on the smartphone.
Watch your child play and ask about it. This way you can tell if it can tell reality from fiction and if it understands the content presented.
Play together sometimes too!
Don’t put too much trust in alleged customer reviews on online portals, as you can’t be sure if they are genuine. Better rely on reputable educational assessments and your own judgment. Try out games and decide if a game is suitable for your child with the help of educational ratings and USK classifications.
A link list with pedagogical evaluations of computer games can be found at Spieleratgeber NRW or spielbar.de.
Set times together when playing is allowed or agree on how much time a week your child can spend playing computer games. The length of play should be based on your experience with your own child. There are recommendations for different age groups, which you can read here.
What doesn’t work at all in gambling is to stop at a certain point. It is better if you agree to stop at the end of a level.
All rules should be easy for your child to understand.
More practical, clear tips are also available at Klicksafe.
Every child needs times when they can move around and experience things independently of the screen – the best way to do this is together with you!
You should not forbid playing because the child messed up or use playing as a reward. Because that only gives it a higher status.
Games – whether on the computer or elsewhere – are entertaining and fun for children, teenagers and adults alike. Hopefully, with our recommendations you will find a good way to deal with computer games in the family.
Do you know it? You wanted to watch only one episode of your favorite series and then it became three, because it was just so exciting. Your child sometimes feels the same way: he or she is having so much fun watching TV and playing computer games that he or she forgets about the time. Bingewatching” refers to watching several episodes of a series at a time, and this also occurs among children. Binge means “excess” in German and viewing means “to look at”.
For some adults, bingewatching is even a hobby. Streaming services such as Prime Video, Netflix and YouTube have adjusted their offerings accordingly. Series often come as a whole season, so users can easily watch one video after another. From a company’s point of view, this is quite logical: They have an interest in keeping users on their platform for as long as possible.
There are more and more media library apps specifically for children or streaming apps with children’s profiles. YouTube Kids, Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ are particularly popular. Therefore, it’s no wonder that bingewatching also occurs among children and teenagers, because they find it even harder to turn off the TV or tablet.
Children and young people quickly get carried away by their favorite characters and stories, so that they can hardly tear themselves away from them. Some simply forget to switch off and therefore watch more than agreed. Younger children in particular are not yet very good at regulating their own needs and media use. They are therefore more easily seduced to look further and further.
Sometimes there is simply a lack of alternative occupations. Kids don’t know what to do besides watch TV. Besides, it’s easy to just be sprinkled instead of being active yourself, making up your own stories, drawing something, or anything else.
Some things you can set on your child’s profile on the streaming site itself. For example, you can disable the automatic start of the next episode or set a time limit for some services. If you download certain episodes, your child won’t be drawn to other series and will find it easier to switch off when the agreed viewing time is up. You should become active as soon as your child reacts stressed or annoyed when he or she cannot watch any longer.
Design media usage rules together, especially fixed time slots, and make sure they are followed. As long as your child is not yet able to handle media on his or her own responsibility, support and accompany him or her in this process. Don’t use the favorite show as a punishment or reward, and establish alternative outlets for media use.
If your child is very emotionally attached to the series, you can engage with it together in other ways. Your child can bring the series world to him with toys, by painting or playing with friends and continue telling the stories. This way, your child experiences his or her favorite series even more and can help shape it.
Older children and teenagers should also occasionally allow you to distract them with television during stressful periods. Just make sure that bingewatching is not constantly used to combat stress.
“Just one more round!” or “Leon gets to watch TV much longer!” Almost all parents know this. What media is okay for my child? How much media time is not harmful? At what age does it make sense to have your own smartphone? For such issues, fixed rules can be a great help for parents and children. But they also lead to conflicts in families time and again. We have compiled some tips and background information for you.
Rules are not simply there for adults to determine things; they bring structure to family life. Media usage rules can be used to promote children’s media literacy. As parents, you have a special responsibility to keep an eye on fun and benefits associated with media, but also on risks and dangers. For quite some time, you will be able to assess both better than your child. It is important that your child understands the rules. Therefore, you should be able to justify for yourself and also to your child why certain rules apply and why it is important to follow them. If rules are not clearly stated or are interpreted differently, your child will have a hard time following them. However, this also means that certain rules apply to you as parents and that you act as a role model.
Which rules make sense depends on the age of your child and on how you and your child generally deal with media. It’s not the same in every family.
The younger your child is, the more you should keep an eye on his or her media use. Young children need close supervision and should not spend too much time with media. As parents, decide on age-appropriate content, length of use, and appropriate devices. From elementary school age, your child gets many new impressions and influences. It still needs a lot of orientation, so clear rules are very important. You can now better talk to your child about content and let him or her have a say. From secondary school and adolescence at the latest, you should then trust your child to be more independent and increasingly relinquish control. Young people usually approach digital media openly, but they often cannot yet properly assess security risks. That is why you are still important as an orientation and contact person!
Depending on the age of your child, agree on rules for media use together – for example, by means of a media usage contract. Then your child can better understand and comply with them. Write down rules and place them visibly. Exceptions can also be formulated. Regularly check whether the rules still make sense or can and must be changed. Also, set rules that apply to everyone, such as not taking out the smartphone during a conversation.
A big point of contention is the question of how much time with media is good. In addition to age, this also depends on your child and his or her individual approach to media. Does it quickly get lost in series or computer games or can it put the tablet aside at the end of an episode without any problems? The rule of thumb is: the younger, the less! Media vouchers are a way for children of elementary school age and older to set a weekly budget for a media device, for example. Sometimes this is easier and your child can manage their own time.
It is important that your child has a varied daily routine, uses media in different ways, but also has media-free experiences.
Do you have the entire media ensemble in view? Radio plays and books are also part of media consumption and may appear in the rulebook.
Take into account that the content of media use varies greatly, as do the motives and needs of use. A game for mere diversion or entertainment may be weighted differently than learning with media. Make qualitative distinctions together with your child. Be sure to include age-appropriate content as well.
The question of the right age for the first smartphone occupies many parents. Perhaps consult with parents of your child’s friends and consider whether certain rules can apply to everyone.
When it comes to getting your own phone for the first time or using mom’s tablet, setting options can also restrict access to various content and apps. However, these should be discussed together. Such settings or certain apps can help enforce rules. But these tools are no substitute for guidance from you as parents. Explanations from you and conversations about media make a significant contribution to your child learning to use media competently.
Rules may vary depending on the child’s age and stage of development. On the one hand, stay consistent, otherwise they will not serve their purpose. At the same time, if possible, do not use the rules as a punishment or reward.
“But Paul is allowed to!”. Perhaps this statement from your child sounds familiar. Other children, when it comes to media, are apparently always allowed much more, earlier and longer. And you probably also ask yourself certain questions: “At what point should I allow my child to use the first cell phone? How does it work with the settings? Which learning apps are good?”. Talking to other parents can be a good way to answer these questions. You can exchange ideas and experiences on media education together and consider whether you would like to set up similar rules on media use in the family.
This makes sense in many cases, but can also be annoying or problematic at times. Between door-to-door, during visits or in chat groups, e.g. on WhatsApp, parents seek and find opportunities to talk about their children’s media behavior, rules and experiences. Depending on the age of the child, the topics and questions are different. The need for mutual counseling is strongest where there is the most uncertainty; when the child is introduced to new media and their media needs change. A top topic, for example, is the question of the right time for the first cell phone. However, device access alone is not enough. It is important to have an exchange about what exactly child does with media, what works well and what rules apply.
Parent group chats are useful for many reasons, but can also become very annoying. Most parents are in one or more such chats to be informed quickly and easily and to communicate in a simple way about suggestions, wishes and ideas.
Such chats also have some disadvantages and potential for conflict. They are disorganized and sometimes full of trivia and misunderstandings. As different as parents are, they also deal with possible conflicts. Raising children is an irritant for some. Groups often create pressure to be there to have a say. Some parents are excluded from the outset.
The goal of the group should be clearly stated. Equally important are respectful treatment and tolerance among all participants. Remember: all parents use media in their own personal way and are therefore always role models for their child.
As a parent, you are responsible for your child’s media education, so you are in a boat with other parents where support can be very valuable. They must educate about rights and prohibitions and enforce basic rules of media use. Children cannot know many things and you as parents certainly do not know everything either. This makes the experiences of other parents on new trends, apps or media experiences all the more helpful. Due to the protected space without children and teachers, there is a confidential level where it is possible to discuss what children can and are allowed to do or what rules apply during mutual visits.
Parents can also join forces with the help of their children’s school or sports club to find common ground in media education. Seek discussion with the lead teacher from the time of enrollment or a change of school.
Also take advantage of school offerings such as parent-teacher conferences. In some federal states (currently in North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony and Bavaria), there are so-called parent talks, where parents can exchange ideas and receive further training in private.
Don’t be pressured to do everything right. Check out appropriate other places, such as here at parentguide.online.
To protect your children from dangerous content or cost traps, there are already some parental control apps. One of these apps is called Kids Zone. Here you set up a profile for your kids on the smartphone, with child-safe apps and limited screen time.
Kids Zone can be installed on your child’s device and is designed to enable safe cell phone use. Since you can create multiple profiles, you can set up the app on your smartphone even if your child doesn’t use their own device.
After creating the profile, select the apps you want to share with your child, such as music apps or children’s games. Some apps or certain settings can be locked. In the free basic version, you can block up to six apps. You then create a PIN for the profile so that you can activate (Lock Device) or deactivate (Unlock Device) it.
It is also possible to set a maximum usage time for the smartphone. After its expiration, the device locks automatically and can no longer be used.
Unlike other parental control apps, no data about the usage time and apps used is stored and cannot be viewed afterwards. In addition, no data is forwarded to the app’s manufacturer.
The usability of the device is very limited by the app and the time limits always have to be restarted. In addition, the app runs a bit jerky and locking the device happens with a time delay.
The app is not suitable for children who want to get to know the smartphone’s functions better, since it is not possible to access the settings.
The app’s Canadian developer, Ryan Park, wants Kids Zone to enable easy, safe and controlled smartphone use. There is no specified age for use, the age rating in the App Store is three years.
The fact that Kids Zone does not offer a monitoring option means that no data is passed on to the manufacturer. The app requests access to usage data, like any app of this type, to see what other apps are being used. The privacy policy is complete and easy to understand – but in English.
Kids Zone is especially suitable if you occasionally give your younger child their own cell phone to play with, or if your child gets their own smartphone at an early age.
Parental control apps are designed to protect the child, but you should still check which apps (games, music, etc.) are installed on the smartphone. Pay attention to the age information as well. Test the apps you want to unlock for your child and decide together which apps your child can use. Also, involve your child when it comes to the length of time they use their cell phone. If you set rules for smartphone use together and your child can understand them, he or she will be better able to stick to them. The older your child gets, the more he wants to try things out on his own. Adjust settings accordingly over time and give your child the space they need.
Children and young people love to play games – including computer and online games. Media educator Fabian Wörz explains what needs to be considered.
