Netflix is one of the most popular streaming portals among families. We explain what to look out for if your child wants to watch movies or series there.
Netflix is a video streaming service where you have unlimited access to a huge selection of movies and series with your own account. The company has the rights to use them and also produces some films and series itself. Anyone who wants to use Netflix has to pay between €4.99 and €17.99 per month. The cheapest subscription has advertising in between – but this is soon to be completely removed. If you pay significantly more (at least 12.99 euros), you can stream on two or four devices simultaneously. Up to five profiles can be created per account with different settings, e.g. age rating, age rating, subtitle display or playback settings. The film and series suggestions in the profile also adhere to these settings, but what is actually suggested is calculated by an algorithm based on the viewing behavior of the individual user.
Account sharing, i.e. the use of an account by several people at the same time, is possible to a limited extent depending on the subscription. This is permitted with persons living in the same household. This is only permitted with persons from other households for an additional charge. The provider examines violations of this in various ways and demands compensation.
The subscription also includes Netflix games. Customers receive access to specially developed or licensed games for mobile devices. These can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or in the Google Play Store as separate game apps. There is no advertising or in-app purchases for the games.
Netflix offers content for all ages. For the movies and series, the streaming service adopts the existing FSK rating. If there is no FSK rating, the age ratings are made by Netflix itself, which must comply with German law.
Due to the wide range of content on offer, there is also countless content for older teenagers (aged 16 and over) and adults (aged 18 and over) that can be frightening and problematic for children and young people. Parental controls can be set up by entering a PIN for selected age ratings or specific movie/series titles. In addition, profiles can be protected with a PIN and special children’s profiles can be set up.
Unlike with analog, linear television, you can theoretically watch series from start to finish. The appeal of spending a lot of time on Netflix is therefore high. Here, personal responsibility is required to limit one’s own viewing time . What is already difficult for some adults is even more difficult to control for children and even teenagers.
Netflix displays the respective age rating for movies/series in various places, on the overview page for the movie, in the detailed information or as an overlay at the beginning when playing. Also, individual titles can be locked for individual profiles. These will then also no longer appear in the search or in the suggestion list. In addition, individual profiles – e.g. the profile for adults or older children – can be assigned a PIN so that younger children do not have access. It is also possible to create children’s profiles. This gives you, as parents, the option of making settings appropriate to the age of your child. For example, you can see what content your child has watched in the last few days or you can prevent the next episode of a series from playing automatically.
Pay attention to the age ratings of movies and series. Use the child or parental control options by creating appropriate profiles and protecting them with a secure PIN . This is the only way to ensure that your child cannot end up in the adult section from the child profile.
Only display titles suitable for children in the children’s profile; these are based on the age ratings 0, 6, 12, 16 or from 18 years. Consider whether automatically playing more episodes really makes sense for you. Also, you can have animation effects reduced in the child profile when navigating on the TV. When watching on portable devices, feel free to use the screen lock so that smaller children in particular cannot adjust anything on the device themselves.
Keep an eye on your child’s screen time. It’s best to set media rules together – and set a good example yourself. Media time should be just one of many other non-media activities. If you’re not sure how much time your child should spend in front of the TV or laptop, check out our video: “How much media time is too much?”
Ask your child about his or her favorite series or movies, and it’s best to watch them together so that your child doesn’t feel alone even during scary scenes. It can also turn the shared experience into a beautiful ritual .
There seems to be something for young and old on Disney+: from cartoon classics such as Snow White and Mickey Mouse to big blockbusters such as Star Wars and the most popular Disney films of recent years such as The Ice Queen. What parents should know about the offer.
The streaming portal offers a large selection of films and series, similar to Netflix, Amazon Prime and the like. In addition to successful movies from Walt Disney and Pixar in recent years, older Disney films are also available. In addition, there are exciting documentaries from National Geographic. Episodes of current Disney Channel series are also published on the platform at weekly intervals. This way, there is less danger of watching through an entire season without a break. There is also the option of downloading content (does not apply to the subscription model with advertising). With the Standard and Premium subscriptions, Disney+ can also be used on the go with any internet-enabled device. So far, the offer is not as large as on Netflix, for example. However, more and more films are being added.
Disney+ is clear and easy to use for children. The wide range of popular franchises such as Marvel and Star Wars offers both familiar and new adventures. Until February 2021, there were no films with an age rating above FSK 12 or certain scenes were cut out of individual films so that they are also suitable for younger children. In the “Star” category that was then added, adult content is now also available. Adults enjoy the favorite films of their own childhood.
Disney+ has additional parental control settings despite primarily adult content. However, films from the age of 12 can also be found in the offer. Especially smaller children can still be frightened by such films. It is therefore important to guide children in their film selection and viewing.
By creating a children’s profile (called Junior mode), films that are not approved for younger children are not displayed. There is no specific age rating. Disney+ decides what is displayed in Junior mode. This means that films and series with a rating of 0 are also missing from the children’s profile. In the children’s profile, you can, for example, prevent the next episode of a series from playing automatically and the user interface is simplified. Parental controls can be used to assign a PIN to individual profiles – e.g. the profile for adults or older children – so that younger children do not have access. Individual titles cannot be hidden.
If you want to set the age rating yourself, you can assign an age rating to a normal profile (without parental control, without junior mode): 0, 6, 12, 16 or 18 years. However, depending on the subscription model, advertising will run in such a profile.
Each profile, with the exception of the main profile, can also be subsequently converted into a children’s profile (junior mode).
Disney states that advertising content such as clips and trailers for content available on Disney+ or for other Disney products can be shown. Live content can also contain traditional commercial breaks and other advertising formats. There is no advertising in Junior mode. Incidentally, there are no in-app purchases with Disney+, which can lead to unwanted costs, especially for children and young people. And if tobacco products are shown in a movie, Disney draws attention to this with a warning at the beginning.
Account sharing, i.e. the use of an account by several people at the same time, is prohibited under the terms and conditions, but is possible. From 2024, Disney+ will take decisive action against this breach of the rules.
Since Disney+ is primarily aimed at children, they will quickly become accustomed to having access to their favorite series and movies at all times.
Especially accompany young children watching movies. Find out about specific movies and series in advance. Choose age-appropriate programs, for a younger child rather short episodes than long films. Also, schedule plenty of screen-free time for other activities such as walks in the fresh air or hobbies. Talk about set media times within the family.
Star Trek, Top Gun, Paw Patrol – the streaming service Paramount+ offers a wide range of movies and series of various genres for adults and children. In this article, we will take a closer look at the service and present its main settings for children.
The streaming service of the US media group Paramount has a selection of movies and series to offer. Including blockbusters such as The Lost City or La La Land, exclusive series such as Star Trek: Strange New Worlds or Yellowstone and live sporting events such as NFL or UEFA Champions League games.
The platform is divided into a separate category for children’s programming and offers a wide selection of animated series, children’s films and live-action programs such as all seasons of Paw Patrol, SpongeBob SquarePants and Spotlight. There is also original content produced specifically for children, such as Kamp Koral.
The price for the streaming service is lower than that of the competition. The catalog is still relatively thin compared to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and the like, but certainly extensive enough and continues to grow weekly.
Without parental controls, minors have unlimited access to all content on the streaming service – including content that is not suitable for their age and developmental level, or that may frighten or overwhelm them. Therefore, use the option to protect profiles with a PIN and set up children’s profiles.
Like every streaming service, Paramount+ is also incredibly appealing with the option of being able to keep watching indefinitely. In series, one episode after the next is played automatically. It is at least as difficult for children and young people as it is for adults to act on their own responsibility here. Make your child aware of this and set a good example. Additionally, you can limit the screen time in the children profiles.
It is also important to note that children are not always able to recognize the differences between fiction and reality. So take time to guide your child and talk about content your child sees on Paramount+ and help them understand what’s going on.
Paramount+ offers the possibility to protect profiles with a PIN and to set parental control settings. However, these settings are disabled by default. Parents must do this independently.
The settings are based on age ratings. Paramount does not specify which criteria are used for the releases.
Internet, telephone, streaming services, media libraries, television – to entertain ourselves and communicate, we resort to many different offerings at home. MagentaTV is a Deutsche Telekom platform that combines everything in one package. We present the offer and explain what parents should look out for.
MagentaTV is a bundled offering of Internet, telephony, and a selection of TV channels and video streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+, some of which cost extra. The platform can be used on various devices such as SmartTVs, smartphones, tablets and computers. Those who do not have an Internet or phone contract with Deutsche Telekom can access TV channels and video streaming services via the paid MagentaTV app. In addition to the basic offers, various packages can be added. Extensions are available, for example, for special subject areas such as sports, languages such as Turkish or Polish, or target groups such as children and families.
To use MagentaTV safely, child and youth protection settings can be made on all devices on which the service is used: on smartphones, tablets and computers, on the SmartTV, the MagentaTV box and the media receiver. An adult PIN prevents children and teenagers from accessing content that is not approved for their age. If content does not have an age rating from the FSK , streaming services must make the assessment themselves. It is not always obvious how this is done. In addition to the PIN, a purchase block and a hiding of erotic content can be set up. You can find detailed settings for parental control with MagentaTV at medien-kindersicher.de.
Watching movies, series or TV shows has a great appeal for children and young people. Whether they use it to inform themselves, entertain themselves, or relax after kindergarten and school, watching videos is often an integral part of their everyday lives as a media ritual. A comprehensive offering like MagentaTV can entice your child to watch endless videos. Also, your child may be shown content that is not age-appropriate. Therefore, note the following points:
For a few weeks now, the Netflix series“Squid Game” has been making headlines. One reason is that it is so successful. On the other hand, it is also reported that many children watch the series and act out scenes from it with other children. However, the series contains very brutal scenes and is therefore marked with an age rating of 16. Topics that are problematic and overwhelming for children include organ trafficking and depictions of sadism.
Make sure that your child cannot watch the series at home if he or she is not yet 16 years old. To do this, you can set parental control settings on Netflix. If your child has a child profile, then he or she will not be able to view content that is not age-appropriate. You can also protect an account with a PIN. For more information, click here.
Your child may still watch the series or come into contact with it, for example, at school, through friends, or in apps and onlien games. Even young people who are already 16 years old or older sometimes cannot process the violence in the series themselves. If your child has had an unpleasant experience with the series, be sure to talk about it with your child and convey that the story in the series has little to do with reality.
More information for parents and suggestions for dealing with the series can be found on the following websites:
Your child is a fan of a Youtuber or streamer whose face he doesn’t know and only recognizes her by her voice and an animated character? Then it is fan of a V-tuber.
“V-Tuber” stands for Virtual Youtuber and Youtuberess. But you can also find them on Twitch or other streaming platforms. These streamers or influencers create virtual avatars, figures digitally created on a computer, with which they appear in their streams or videos. Many only show themselves with these avatars instead of their real face. The avatars are created in 3D or 2D. Often they have the style of a Disney or anime character with big eyes and colorful hair. Gender stereotypes can often be found in the process.
The 3D avatars can be compared to Apple ‘s Memoji or Snapchat ‘s Bitmoji. Some also know them from video telephony conversations, such as via Skype. Through their camera, V-Tubers can use so-called “motion capture” to record facial expressions and/or gestures, and the created avatar then imitates them simultaneously.
There are different types of V-tubers. For some, the image is similarly fixed, like other influencers sitting in front of their computers. In others, the Youtuber or Youtuberess can move around in their space, and the avatar imitates the movements. Many spend money to have the characters created by professional animators. But you can also create your own avatars with free apps.
The virtual avatar is also a kind of protection for many Youtubers. On bad days they don’t always have to smile, their avatar does it for them. It also allows them to avoid being talked about as a person. This allows them to better distinguish themselves from possible hate comments.
Children have known a talking avatar from an early age. The elephant and the mouse and other animated children’s series or game characters in games have accompanied many for a long time. So seeing an animated avatar on YouTube is not that strange for kids.
You can build the same bond with the V-Tuber as you would with other non-animated media personalities. Some, so-called parasocial relationships, are even comparable to the relationship with their friends.
It can be problematic when V-Tubers don’t reveal their real identity. They can then also not be prosecuted for any misconduct or, in the worst case, criminal acts such as fraud. They can simply delete their account if they have done something wrong.
An animated avatar is not an honest representation of oneself. The crooked nose and the pimple on the forehead are not visible on the avatars. They always look good, and can convey to children and young people that the person behind them is just as perfect.
There are still no big V-Tubers in Germany. This trend can currently be observed increasingly in the USA. But it’s only a matter of time before the first V-Tubers arrive here as well. Talk to your child about their experience with V-Tubers and think together about what it means that V-Tubers don’t show their real appearance.
When Christmas time, uncomfortable weather and lockdown all coincide, a movie afternoon or evening can be a nice opportunity to cozy up and distract with family.
On Elternguide.online you can find information about film, television and streaming in various articles. We have summarized the most important for you here.
In Germany, there are various streaming providers in addition to the media libraries of public and private TV stations. Suitable programs and films can usually be found in categories such as “family films” or “children”. When choosing, pay attention to the age rating and the length of the program. There are often descriptions and sometimes trailers that offer a glimpse into the film or series. Disney+ offers a particularly wide range of movies for the whole family. FLIMMO has compiled a selection of movies worth seeing for different age groups and the whole family.
Depending on how large your family is and whether your children are different ages, it can be a challenge to agree on a common television program. You can arrange that each person has one wish. From all the wishes you can create a program over several days. It’s even nicer when everyone can agree on one or more films. Maybe there are classics in your family that you watch every year? Celebrate such shared media times and get comfortable. For more tips, see our post Media Rituals in the Family.
Even if you are there as parents, be careful not to forget the time during the cozy movie afternoon. Exercise and other screen-free activities are important for processing what you see and keeping your body fit. Remember the rules you have agreed on for media use in the family.
You don’t just have to sit in front of a device and let yourself be sprinkled. Media offer many opportunities for creative activity with the whole family.
Spotify Kids is an offer from the streaming provider Spotify, through which selected music, radio plays or podcasts are accessible for children and parents are provided with corresponding setting options.
A dedicated editorial team selects the child-friendly audio content for Spotify Kids, so that only Spotify content that is suitable for children and young people is available. There are songs by musicians popular with children, movie music and many compiled playlists. In addition, radio plays such as Benjamin Blümchen or podcasts such as the “Sendung mit der Maus” can be listened to online and offline.
An interface designed especially for children with large images is intended to appeal to young users and make it easier for them to use it independently with simple operation.
Parents can choose between five different profiles and associated content. There are setting options for younger (0 – 6 years) and for older children (5 – 12 years).
The offer is part of Spotify Premium Family, which allows multiple people to use the Premium service at the same time without commercial interruptions. Each family member gets their own account.
Children love to listen to stories and music. As a parent, you may not always have the time to read to your child or turn on certain songs. For such situations, it is helpful if children can choose and save audio content themselves. Being able to choose media content independently is a great experience for many children and contributes to self-determined media use – but it should always be accompanied by you.
With similar services, such as YouTube Kids, it was observed that, despite a pre-selection, problematic content and content not suitable for children could also be seen time and again. Whether this is also the case with Spotify Kids is still difficult to assess, because the offer has only been available since May 2020. However, it is important to take a critical look at the audio content your child is using, despite the pre-selection. Users complain that the offer is not sufficient and parents should be given the option to add Spotify tracks themselves.
Spotify stores the usage behavior of its customers in order to optimize the product. Privacy issues should always be considered when selecting and installing a suitable streaming service.
When using Spotify Family Premium, parents can set which content children can and cannot listen to. The audio content selected by the children is visible to the parents for up to three months. You can then decide which songs, radio plays, and podcasts you’d rather take out of the app.
Offers such as Spotify Kids can tempt children to be left alone with their media use. However, a selection of child-friendly content is always subjective and may not correspond to what you want for your child. Therefore, you should look at the offer together with your child beforehand and talk about it.
The older your child is, the more you can let them make the choice on their own. The function of being able to watch the selected music afterwards gives you the possibility to keep an overview of the child’s media usage. However, it can also make your child feel controlled by you. Therefore, it is better to ask your son or daughter directly what they listen to and like. It is also a great experience to listen to music or stories together.
Here are the instructions on how to set up Spotify Kids.
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.
It’s not uncommon for families to not always be in the same place: Dad lives in another city, the grandparents even in another country and the favorite aunt is traveling a lot. Thanks to digital media and the Internet, you can still exchange ideas and “see” each other regularly.
For video telephony, you need an Internet-enabled device with a fast Internet connection. In order not to use up its data volume quickly, it is best to use WLAN. Otherwise, this can also degrade the image quality. Also, your respective device should have a microphone and a camera integrated. And then you’re ready to go!
You either “talk on the phone” via the same app that you use to write messages to each other, i.e. a messenger. Also online applications like Skype are also suitable for video telephony. Everyone uses the same tool when talking. You can use WhatsApp not call grandma and grandpa on FaceTime.
With some providers, several people can take part in the conversation. Group video chats are available on WhatsApp (up to four people) and Facebook Messenger (up to 50 people). The screen is then split into three halves, for example, when you are on the phone together with your child, grandparents far away and uncle on the road. With tablet, laptop and smartphone in hand, the uncle can even show where he is.
Talking on the phone while seeing each other via the camera allows for a closer exchange between family members than “just” talking on the phone. Grandparents who live far away and are rarely seen still get to see their grandchildren grow up and have regular contact. If your child is growing up with separated parents, he or she may feel more closely connected to the other parent during a Mommy Week. The video function means you’re much closer to each other’s everyday lives. Other things can be done on the side, so the conversation has a casual setting. Video telephony is very similar to a “real” conversation. Through facial expressions and gestures, you can better understand each other and your child even without words. This is also helpful when a family member has language handicaps.
Find out from what age the respective app may be used if your child “talks on the phone” with grandma or the godfather without your presence. WhatsApp is actually only allowed from the age of 16, but with the consent of parents even earlier. Viber and the Skype app are suitable for ages 12 and up, according to the USK.
Look together which features of the app are free. Be aware that by using the app you grant some permissions to the provider. Research which ones you may be able to hire or ban yourself. To protect privacy, there is an option for your child to contact only saved people. Look for a provider with secure end-to-end encryption to keep you and your family’s data safe.
Talk to your child about the potential dangers of video calling. With (unknown) acquaintances made via Instagram or Snapchat, young people like to “Skype” to get to know each other better. This promotes the risk of cybergrooming, since you don’t know exactly who is behind it.
Thus, video telephony is a practical help for everyday life, making contact with friends and family possible when you are not in the same place.
Amelie, now 28, says she learned English from the lyrics of rapper Eminem. Many adults probably feel the same way. Through “television” via streaming platforms, a similar phenomenon has emerged: English or other languages are learned virtually incidentally by watching the series in the original. Does this really work and does it also work for children?
The foundations for language learning are laid in early childhood. If your child hears foreign languages at an early age, it may be easier for him to learn languages later in school. Watching favorite movies or series like Harry Potter for older kids or Peppa Wutz for the younger ones can be a way and combine learning and fun.
Most children can already understand whole sentences out of context. Pictures and sounds help. Translating individual words is not necessary. This makes it easier for them to watch movies in other languages. If their favorite show is in English, children often don’t even realize that they’re not listening to their native language. They also like to watch episodes and movies endlessly. By already knowing what is happening, they understand the content better in another language and learn English words virtually along the way.
On most platforms, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or YouTube, it is possible to watch movies and series in the original language – often English. You can usually change the audio language in the bar below the video, where you can also pause the video. The language can be changed before or even during the movie.
Often you can additionally display subtitles, e.g. in German or English. This can help teenagers or adults with comprehension if you don’t understand every word spoken. At first glance it may seem more complicated, but the brain quickly gets used to reading along. If the subtitles are also in English, you perceive the “foreign” language with different senses (hearing, seeing), which makes it even more memorable.
Some children have an easier time with foreign languages than others. Once your child has learned some basics at school, watching movies and series in English can help reinforce the new language. It can also be an incentive and motivation especially for young people to increase their own vocabulary in order to watch English movies in the original language even more “relaxed”. For many, it’s even “cooler” to watch the hot series in the original.
Of course, your child should only watch series and movies that are appropriate for their age. Info on how to guarantee this can be found at the parent guide here.
Watching movies in English should be seen primarily as a tool and (unfortunately) does not replace vocabulary cramming. Also, make sure that your child enjoys it and that it does not turn into a chore that is done unwillingly.
Do you remember the feeling when the day was approaching, when a new episode of your favorite series was on TV, and you planned everything so as to be on time in front of the family TV in the living room? Thanks to media libraries, Netflix and the like, this scenario is largely a thing of the past.
More and more children and young people today watch videos, movies and series online via legal streaming services. This non-linear TV makes it possible to watch when you want with the device of your choice – whether smartphone, computer or an Internet-enabled smart TV.
The range of options is huge: There are paid online video stores like Netflix or Amazon Prime and free video streaming platforms like YouTube with content produced by users themselves. Many TV stations also make their programs available free of charge or, in some cases, for a fee via their own media libraries. Some broadcasters also offer a livestream, via which – as with traditional analog television – the currently running program can be viewed online. Content can be viewed without having to download and save it to your own device. In some cases, it is also possible to download individual movies or series and play them offline.
This wide selection is of course also available to children and young people. If they have their own device with an Internet connection, it’s hard to control what and how much they see.
What is attractive is the wide variety of current and selected series, films and documentaries, which can theoretically be watched at any time of the day or night. It has become normal for children and young people not to have to watch their favorite show at a specific time, as is the case with “normal” television. In addition, a new episode of the favorite series can be easily watched while sitting on the bus or train, for example.
As with TV programming, there are movies and videos on streaming portals with content that is not suitable for children and can scare them. Streaming services must also comply with the statutory protection of minors in the media and adopt the age ratings of the FSK (Voluntary Self-Regulation of the Movie Industry). If there is no FSK rating for films or series episodes, they must make the age ratings themselves and comply with German law.
The criteria for streaming services’ own age ratings are not necessarily apparent. Therefore, be sure to read up on the parental control settings of the respective streaming provider and use the functions and settings offered, such as passwords and PINs.
Set specific time windows during which watching is allowed. Media time should always be just one of many other, non-media activities. If you are not sure how much time your child should spend in front of the TV or laptop, you can find more information here on the website.
Ask your child about their favorite shows or movies and watch them together. Depending on your child’s age, you should watch movies and videos together so that if there is something scary or questionable in them after all, your child is not left alone with it.
Movie night with the whole family can also be a nice shared experience and ritual. Here you can have fun together and get to see how your child reacts to certain content.
YouNow is a streaming service that allows videos to be transmitted to the Internet in real time without much effort. Users only need a computer with Internet access and webcam or a smartphone with camera and the YouNow app. Viewers can enter comments or questions in a chat window. These can be responded to directly. To stream a live video on YouNow yourself, you have to sign up beforehand. Public streams of others can be viewed and commented on without registration.
Young people are particularly fascinated by the simplicity of YouNow. Wherever their smartphone is, they can start or watch a livestream. This gives them an easy way to communicate to others and test their impact. In addition, YouNow is a platform where mainly young people hang out.
Especially the live broadcast on YouNow can be problematic. Children and young people may carelessly disclose content that does not belong on the Internet. Especially personal data such as address, name, telephone number or the name of the school can be misused by – in this case anonymous – viewers. But also insults or bullying are possible through the comments and in the chat on YouNow. The personal rights of third parties may also be affected if, for example, persons shown in the background have not been asked for permission.
If music is playing in the background when streaming, it is usually copyrighted and may not be heard in the video without paying royalties.
In-app purchases can also be a problem: YouNow offers the purchase of so-called “bars” (gold bars), which can be used to give gifts (“premium gifts”) to streamers and users.
Since no login is required to watch streams and viewers are not visible, there is a risk of unwanted contact by strangers. The consequence could be cybergrooming.
Anyone can post videos on YouNow, so there is a risk of content harmful to minors, even if the provider tries to prevent depictions of violence, self-harm, etc.
As with any provider, users must adhere to internal platform regulations. The use of YouNow is only permitted to young people over the age of 13. Minors are forbidden to expose themselves in front of the camera. Generally prohibited is vulgar or hurtful language. A reporting and blocking system is to ensure that problematic incidents on YouNow are punished. However, control is extremely difficult due to the large number of livestreams and the real-time nature of the offer. The age of the users can also hardly be controlled.
Since there are some risks involved in using YouNow, you should always keep in touch with your child to know what apps they are using and websites they are visiting. Let them see what interests them from certain media, but also make your child aware of possible dangers and problems. Familiarize yourself with YouNow ‘s security settings together and use them. A guide is provided by klicksafe. You can disable the possibility of in-app purchases by making appropriate settings in the smartphone’s operating system.
It is not advisable for younger children to use YouNow. Explain this to your child if they show interest in the platform. Additionally, technical means can ensure that the page cannot be accessed. Use protective measures such as settings in the operating system and the installation of a parental control program. Show your child child-friendly alternatives such as kindersache.de.
