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.
For parents, it is a challenge to keep track of the huge range on offer on TV and streaming platforms: Movies and TV shows, series, non-fictional formats such as reports and documentaries, casting, stunt and game shows, erotic offerings, music videos and docu-soaps or coaching programs. Which media content is age-appropriate for my child, which is unsuitable and which should I protect my child from? An initial orientation for age-appropriate programs is provided by the age ratings and the associated broadcast times – they are often based on a rating by Freiwillige Selbstkontrolle Fernsehen e.V. (FSF).
The FSF is a non-profit, legally recognized association that supports private television broadcasters, telemedia providers and streaming services in implementing youth protection regulations in Germany. To this end, the FSF offers content review by independent experts who set age ratings and broadcast times, identify objectionable content, and recommend cuts if necessary.
The basis for the audit is the Interstate Treaty on the Protection of Minors in the Media (JMStV), which regulates the protection of minors from unsuitable media content. The aim is to protect children and young people from content that is harmful to their development, e.g. drastic depictions of violence, excessively frightening scenes or questionable role models. This content is rated with the ability of different age groups in mind and given a clearance of 6, 12, 16 or 18. In media libraries or streaming services, these age indicators are displayed; on TV, they are associated with specific broadcast times:
The age ratings are also stored by many providers as technical identifiers that can be recognized by youth protection programs. More information is available here on the FSF website.
The FSF reviews content of all genres, especially series, documentaries and films shown on television or online platforms. But commercials and program trailers, music videos, show formats, docu-soaps or reportage and news programs can also be relevant to youth protection and submitted for review.
The FSF reviews content submitted by TV broadcasters or streaming service providers upon request. The evaluation takes place in examination committees with three or five independent examiners. They come from different disciplines such as media education, psychology, media science or law. A program is screened and possible risks are discussed. The decision for the appropriate age rating is made by simple majority. More information on program review can be found on the FSF website.
The key risk areas are violence, fear and disorientation. Essential for the evaluation is the context.
In the case of depictions of violence, for example, the question is whether the violence appears positive overall and could thus increase children’s and young people’s willingness to engage in violence and conflict: Is the depicted violence more likely to be endorsed or rejected? Is it presented as something fascinating? Does it seem more artificial or realistic? Is it exercised by the villain or the hero or heroine? And is it successful in the end?
Similar questions arise in the case of the effect risk of disorientation, e.g. in the case of representations of prejudices or role clichés, of drug abuse or of risky behavior: Do problematic behaviors appear attractive and worthy of imitation or are they critically commented on or rejected?
Risks of excessive anxiety come into consideration especially in the lower age groups. Younger children often cannot adequately process moments of shock or images of violence or injury or separate themselves from stressful issues such as parental separation.
The extent to which media content is likely to trigger fears or negatively influence the values of children and young people depends on the ability of the respective age group to cope with stressful scenes and to classify and question problematic statements. More information on impact risks is available on the FSF website.
Age ratings and broadcast times are a guide, but should not be the sole basis for media selection. Each child develops individually and has different needs and levels of maturity. Therefore, use other information to assess whether a content is suitable for your child and fits his or her personal situation. Age ratings are not recommendations!
Accompany your child’s media use. Talk to him about his media experiences and help him understand and classify media content. The FSF’s assessments can help you make informed, age-appropriate choices.
Parents can contact the FSF Complaints Office with comments and complaints about TV or streaming content. In justified cases, an audit will be initiated.
“But I want to watch TV longer, just a little bit more!” – this child substitute should be familiar to most parents. Television – whether via the classic offerings or via streaming – is a popular topic of contention in families and often leads to discussions. Reconciling the children’s wishes with the adults’ ideas is not always easy. How long can I let my child watch TV without a guilty conscience? How do I select suitable shipments? What devices and channels do people watch on? FLIMMO, the parents’ guide to TV, streaming, YouTube and cinema, was created precisely to answer questions of this kind.
On the flimmo.de website, you as a parent can quickly find out whether a particular series or program is suitable for your child. You will also find out what is currently on TV and whether there is something suitable for your child. Children not only use traditional TV programming, but also watch on streaming platforms, YouTube or in media libraries. FLIMMO experts try to check all interesting offers for children. The focus is on the perspective of young media users: What do they like about movies, series or shows? What causes them problems? What do they like to watch and why? How do they deal with media experiences and how do they process them?
The assessments point out problematic issues or warn of possible excessive demands. In the same way, it is made clear what interests, fascinates or amuses children at the respective age. Pedagogical assessments make it clear what children like about a film or series, what can be problematic and what parents should pay particular attention to. FLIMMO also addresses questions about media education in the family: How much media time is okay? What rules help and how do you get siblings under one roof? What is important when dealing with YouTube? The guidebook helps parents meet the challenges of everyday media life with brief information and practical tips.
FLIMMO reviews movies, series, documentaries and theatrical films that children between the ages of 3 and 13 like to watch – or want to watch. A traffic light shows at a glance whether a film, series or YouTube channel is suitable for children or not – and if so, from what age:
Green: This content is suitable from the respective age and is well received by children. You will find entertaining, exciting, funny and educational.
Yellow: There are problematic aspects from a pedagogical point of view. These can be questionable role models or heroines who rely exclusively on violence. Parents should keep an eye on how children deal with this and take countermeasures if necessary.
Red: There are elements that can overwhelm, unsettle or frighten children. Regardless of age, such content is not suitable for children.
FLIMMO is a project of the non-profit association Programmberatung für Eltern e.V. It is scientifically and pedagogically based. Experienced media educators from the JFF – Institute for Media Education take care of the content and ratings. FLIMMO also regularly surveys 3- to 13-year-olds about their preferences.
Even though the offer is primarily aimed at you as a parent, it can be exciting to click through the website’s content together with your child. FLIMMO ‘s simple and clear rating system is well suited for finding suitable content. If your child tells you about an interesting series or YouTube channel, you can look up what FLIMMO has to say about it together.
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:
The media libraries of the public broadcasters also offer a wide range of entertainment and education for children. Parents will find numerous programs and series produced especially for children. In this article, we take a look at these media libraries, what they have to offer children, and what parents should keep in mind.
The ARD-Mediathek for children offers Parents a wide range of content suitable for children, such as “Die Sendung mit der Maus,” “Bibi und Tina” and “Wissen macht Ah! They are generally suitable for children between the ages of three and twelve and offer a good opportunity to introduce children to topics such as nature, technology and the environment in a playful way. “The Elephant Show” is a popular format for younger children. Mediathek has a wide range of news programs especially for young viewers. Children can follow current events there in a form suitable for children and find out about world events.
ZDFtivi is ZDF’s children’s and youth program with series, films, fairy tales, knowledge, documentaries and entertainment for children, such as “Bibi Blocksberg,” “The Jungle Book” and “JoNaLu. The program is mainly for children aged six to 13. Especially for older children and teenagers, there are, for example, “Die Pfefferkörner” and “Schloss Einstein” or learning programs such as “PUR+”. The media library also offers a wide range of interactive games and learning apps that teach children through play. ZDFchen offers videos for media beginners and preschoolers up to the age of six, such as “Zigby the Zebra” and “Lieselotte”.
KiKA is a joint channel of ARD and ZDF and is aimed at children aged three to 13. In the KIKA media library there are a wide selection of content suitable for children and young people, such as children’s films, series, documentaries and reports. It also offers content such as interactive games, craft and cooking instructions, and background information on shows. The online platform is not only an offer for children, but also for parents, educators and teachers with valuable material to accompany the programs, information on dealing with media and game ideas.
The funk -Mediathek is a joint service of ARD and ZDF with content for teenagers and young adults between the ages of 14 and 29. It offers a wide selection of videos, reports and web series on topics such as politics, society, pop culture and science.
Also the regional programs like BR Children, MDR Children and SWR Children’s Network offer online children’s programming: For example kinder.WDR.de programs such as “Die Sendung mit dem Elefanten” and “Die Sendung mit der Maus.
All media libraries offer the option of downloading programs and watching them offline. The public broadcasters also offer apps with additional offerings for children, such as the ZDFtivi app or the KIKA player. However, apps are not discussed in this article.
All videos in the media libraries for children are suitable for them. There are no advertisements or solicitations to buy. However, children can enter the adult area of the media libraries from there, even if a warning sign appears when they leave the children’s area. In the adult section, there is content that is not suitable for children. In addition, children can also access external sites on the Internet or other media libraries on the Smart TV from the media libraries. You should therefore not let children under twelve surf without supervision.
Content that is not released until the age of 16 or 18 can only be accessed in the evening (after 8 or 10 p.m.) in all media libraries of the public broadcasters.
Make sure you have a healthy amount of screen time. This can vary depending on the child. Especially do not let younger children watch TV uncontrolled and pay attention to age recommendations and ratings. Watch together if possible, so you can answer questions and catch on if your child gets scared. Together, set rule for usage and choose which programs will be watched together with your child.
If you’re looking for good movies or podcasts for kids, you’ll quickly land on Kixi. The platform is a streaming service with a very special mission: Because on Kixi there are offers exclusively for children.
Kixi touts “educational children’s movies” on its website. These are selected by an editorial team. At Kixi there is a good selection of offers for children. These include classics such as “The Snow Queen” or stories by Astrid Lindgren as well as new on-screen heroes, e.g. the “Dragon Coconut”. Users can choose from four categories:
Under “Audio” there is a selection of audio plays and audio books. Educational offerings include educational films from the school sector, what-is-what offerings or factual films such as “Der kleine Medicus,” but also learning series that convey knowledge content with a playful character. The offers are sorted by age (the FSK rating applies here) or genre, so that you can quickly find what you are looking for.
Kixi can be viewed directly in a browser via kixi.de, but it also works as an app, via Magenta TV or via other smart TV apps. Registration with an email address is required to use Kixi.
In fact, the selection at Kixi is considerable and well sorted. Children can look, listen and learn there largely without hesitation. Since the app is ad-free, there is no risk that young viewers will click on commercial links or come across content that is actually only intended for adults.
By sorting by age, it quickly becomes clear which offers are also suitable for the youngest. Since the range is very clearly laid out, children can easily find their way around on their own. When on the road, the offline function can be used to access the program even without Internet access.
Even if the offer is safe for children, they need company even with the best program.
Select movies, audios, etc. with your child to make sure the preschooler doesn’t accidentally browse the “12+” category. In addition, it is important to jointly define rules of use and to discuss the content viewed with each other. Children have a lot of need to talk even after watching harmless films and must have a suitable contact person for this.
If you use the free offer first, you should remember to disable in-app purchases. Otherwise, your child will very quickly end up on paid content and may accidentally sign up for a subscription.
The camera shakes, the wind sweeps through the forest, then a shadow…clearly: there’s an unnatural creature hiding in the trees. Or?
Television shows that go by the catchphrase “paranormal” deal with anything that seems supernatural and unexplainable. For children, such formats are often difficult to understand and classify.
They are called Ancient Aliens, Paranormal Challenge or Ghost Hunters. They deal with inexplicable phenomena, supernatural beings or legendary stories. And they promise their audience not only good entertainment, but also a dose of thrills and the exciting question, “Can this be true?”
In shows about paranormal topics, the lines between truth and fiction blur. In earlier television offerings, a clear distinction was made between films that were clearly fiction and formats such as documentaries that were committed to the truth. Current offers from the Trash TV often operate in a gray area. They are reality documentaries or scripted reality formats. This means that they are strongly reminiscent of documentaries in their presentation: scenes are shown as ‘close’ and ‘authentic’ as possible, cell phone shots or blurred images are presented that look as if they were taken by chance. The people involved act as eyewitnesses or experts. And the contents are also described in such a way that it is never quite clear what is fact and what is fantasy.
This play with half-truth increases the fascination because it creates a great closeness to the audience’s lifeworld. However, it also increases uncertainty, especially for younger viewers.
The lack of clarity about the reality content poses several dangers at once.
On the one hand, semi-real formats lead viewers to be increasingly uncertain about what they can believe. Since it is not clearly marked where the facts stop, the audience is forced to make up its own mind. We believe some things, doubt others – without ever knowing what is true. This not only gives rise to rumors and conspiracy theories, but also decreases trust in television broadcasts in general. Even serious documentaries or news stories are suddenly viewed more skeptically.
Children also have a hard time separating themselves from scary depictions. For example, they may develop fears of ghosts or monsters. The younger children are, the more they still live in a fantasy world anyway and must first learn to distinguish it from reality. From about elementary school age, children develop a sense for distinguishing between reality and fiction. But for this they need clear features such as cartoon characters or flying objects. When supernatural things are presented as real in programs, this is difficult for children to see through and tends to serve as a source of uncertainty.
Parents should be especially vigilant when dealing with paranormal broadcasts. Children who cannot yet distinguish fact from fiction are best advised not to watch such programs at all. The parent guide FLIMMO offers pedagogical assessments of offers from TV, streaming services, YouTube and cinema. When older children become interested in paranormal shows, it is important to guide them along the way. Watch a show together, offer to talk to your child about how such shows are made. Make your child understand how paranormal stories and legends are created and that they have no reality content.
The streaming portal RTL+ offers the opportunity to watch Mediengruppe RTL shows free of charge for seven days after they air – and some for longer than that. Premium members also have access to specially produced content and other functions. The free content is financed by advertising. Parents have the option to create a profile for their child so they can stream age-appropriate series, movies and shows ad-free.
RTL+ is the video-on-demand service of Mediengruppe RTL. Once an account has been created, the RTL+ Free package can be used to stream certain channels live or watch them seven days later. Premium members also have permanent access to broadcasts and other formats in the archive. Since 2019, the platform has offered films and series produced in-house, the RTL+ Originals. Paid premium membership opens up access to the mobile app, in-house productions and the ability to watch content before it airs on TV. The Premium Duo package additionally offers advertising freedom, parallel streams and some content in original English.
All registered users can create up to three profiles. These can be divided into adult and child profiles. Children only have access to the Family and Kids section via their own profile. This way, you can make sure that your child only has access to age-appropriate content. The formats in the Family and Kids sectionscan also be streamed commercial-free.
The RTL+offering combinesthe TV programming of several channels and thus offers something for younger children and teenagers alike. Among the younger audience, the children’s channels Super RTL and Toggo are particularly popular. In addition to new productions, classics such asJanosch’sDream Hour, Fünf Freunde and Benjamin Blümchen are also broadcast there. Missed programs can be easily re-watched by the children through RTL+. You have also worked with RTL+ Kids their own area, where the formats are sorted into different categories and genres. This makes it easy for children to find their way around and make their own choices.
If you register free of charge with RTL+ , you have the option of creating your own profile for your child, through which he or she can only watch age-appropriate formats. Premium members can also set up a parental control PIN that is valid for all profiles. You can define the age limit from which the PIN is to take effect.
Registered persons without membership cannot create a PIN, but have the option to install the independent and free youth protection program JusProg. You can find out whether programs and films are suitable for your child’s age and how he or she processes the content shown by using the Flimmo program guide.
In addition to the content you watch, keep an eye on how much time your child spends in front of the screen and with media overall. Therefore, arrange fixed times or specific shows that your child is allowed to watch. If you’re not sure how much time is appropriate, you can find more information and suggestions in our post on media time .
You’re probably familiar with these formats: “Ich bin ein Star, holt mich hier raus,” “Der Bachelor” or “Germanys next Topmodel. So-called trash TV shows are still popular and celebrate the beginning of a new season every year. Whether on TV or via online platforms, the offerings are numerous and increasingly bizarre to deliver the desired entertainment factor. Open enthusiasm, secret pleasure or a level-headed waste of time? Opinions are divided on the subject of trash TV.
The word trash TV comes from English and translates as “tasteless television”. Trash TV in Germany originated with the emergence of private TV stations like SAT.1 or RTL in the 1980s. In an era of ever-increasing media competition, light entertainment shows made sure to win over audiences and boost ratings. The production of trash TV formatsuses proven patterns and is cheap.
The scripted reality format in particular is booming. The staged stories and characters seem to be taken from life and are meant to give the viewers the feeling that the events are real. Quarrels, heartbreak, deceit and betrayal are just a few examples of popular themes. In reality, the plot is set beforehand and acted out by actors and actresses.
Here are a few examples of trash TV formats:
The 16th season of Germany’s Next Topmodel in 2021 was watched by an average of around 2.46 million people, with most of them aged between 3 and 14. What makes trash TV so attractive to young people?
As a change from the ordinary everyday life, trash TV series offer a world full of exciting feelings, dramas and impositions. Many young people find this kind of entertainment fascinating and exciting – so perfect for boredom.
Another phenomenon is what science calls escapism. The term comes from the English word escape and means “to flee”. In escapism , people use media consumption as an escape from reality. Switch on to switch off is the motto here, because you don’t have to think much when consuming. After a hard day at school or work, Trash TV offers the smoking head a well-deserved break, worries and problems fade into the background.
Trash TV always offers a current topic of conversation, whether in the schoolyard or via Messenger. Trash TV formats are also present with their channels on social media such as Instagram. There is a lot going on in the comments and fans have the opportunity to give free rein to their thoughts, theories or displeasure with the show. The exchange and the sense of community make the consumption of trash shows interesting for children and young people.
Trash TV formats often cross borders for the purpose of entertainment. The programs sometimes show problematic behavior such as bullying, violence or homophobia. Human and animal rights are also ignored or deliberately violated in some shows. The characters are sometimes rough with each other and sometimes get overly involved in emotions and conflicts.
Many shows and programs convey a one-sided view of the world, stereotypical role models or exaggerated body ideals to children and young people. Especially when children and young people identify with the main characters and sympathize with them, false role models can emerge.
Trash TV formats usually lack clear labels that the characters are fictitious. Young viewers may find it difficult to distinguish between fiction and reality. Although the study dates back some time, in 2011 only 22% of children and teens ages 6-18 said they were aware of fiction in trash TV shows.
Children in particular are not yet able to properly assess trash TV formats. They need the support of parents to develop an awareness of what content is true and what is not. Banning the watching of trash TV shows makes little sense, because it only arouses curiosity and interest. It is more important to stay in conversation with your child. Ask what it finds exciting about the shows it watches. Educate your child that this is a prescribed script with intentionally manufactured conflicts. Behind-the-scenes videos about the background of shows also help to understand how the formats are made. An evening of watching TV together with your child’s favorite formats can help to talk about and reflect on both the fascination of trash TV and problematic issues.
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 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.
Many TV stations now make their broadcasts available online. The children’s and youth program ZDFtivi is available in the ZDF media center and as a free app for mobile devices.
Included are many programs, games and child-friendly news formats such as logo! An extra feature is the comment function, which young viewers can use to exchange views on contributions. All favorite series can be saved as favorites in a children’s profile under ”my ZDFtivi”. Much content can be downloaded and viewed offline. This makes the app suitable for on the go as well.
As a parent, you have to deal with the fact that series and movies are constantly available via streaming offers and apps. A time limit can be set in the app. In addition, only ZDFtivi ‘s pedagogically approved content can be viewed via it – without commercial elements such as advertising or in-app purchases. It thus offers a protected and age-appropriate space for children and young people.
The app is more than just a streaming service. Children can get in touch with others through the comment functions. In this way, children learn about a typical element of online communication. They can express their opinions and participate in public discussions. At the same time, comment fields can also pose risks such as cyberbullying, cybergrooming, and hate speech salvage. Every comment on ZDFtivi is therefore first checked before it is published. This allows children to have their first online experiences in a safe environment. Dealing with social media and their risks is also addressed in the youth format App+onwhich is available on ZDFtivi.
Some parents find it especially convenient to use movies and shows on the go. However, the wide range of apps like ZDFtivi can mean that your child can’t find an ending because after one video, the next one can be played right away. To limit extreme continuous use, you can set up a time limit that can only be set via a PIN. In addition, the offline use function can be turned off. However, you should then take note to also exhibit the use of mobile data so as not to incur high costs.
Younger children in particular should be accompanied when watching TV, whether online or via the TV set. Pay attention to age recommendations and find out about individual shows in advance, e.g. at Flimmo. Give your child the opportunity to share about the content.
Whether on television, at the bus stop or on the Internet – advertising is part of our everyday lives. Even young children see commercials on TV or encounter it in the supermarket, where many products based around children’s media heroes like Elsa, Sandman & Co. are available for purchase. On websites and video platforms, older children and young people in particular come into contact with various forms of advertising: Influencers wear the latest sneakers in their videos, present a cosmetic product from their favorite brand, or unpack the game console they just bought in front of the camera in an unboxing video. Even in many game apps, there are ads that you have to click away to continue playing.
Media content for children must be designed in such a way that they can recognize advertising and their childlike inexperience is not exploited. This includes, for example, the clear separation of content and advertising. On television, there is a visual and audio cue at the beginning and end of the commercial. A children’s program must not be interrupted by commercials. On children’s sites on the web, advertising banners must be labeled and must not overlap content or interfere with children’s use of the sites. Also, not all products (such as alcohol) may be advertised to protect children.
Help your child recognize and see through advertising. With age, the understanding of advertising also increases. From around the age of 8, children understand that advertising is not intended to provide neutral information, but to encourage them to buy.
Especially when it comes to online advertising, younger children first have to learn that advertising is displayed at the same time as the actual content on a website.
Ads within game apps often pop up unexpectedly, which is why kids can accidentally click on ad content. When downloading free children’s apps, pay attention to whether they contain so-called in-game advertising. Decide if this is problematic for your child. You should pay special attention if advertising content in the game tempts you to move faster, if the advertising is not marked or separated from the game content, or if children are hindered while playing.
Older children and young people face the challenge of recognizing whether their idols are just presenting a product or whether they are concerned with real content. This is because videos by influencers are not always labeled as advertising, although this is mandatory if they receive money from companies for it. Watch videos and Instagram stories together, and watch together for hints of advertising and sponsorship in the content you share.
Talk openly with your child about the various forms of advertising in media. Only then can it learn to deal consciously and critically with advertising and the purchasing decisions it makes in everyday life. Think of your role model function as well.
Toggo is Super RTL’s children’s program. Through the free Toggo app , kids and teens can watch a selection of popular series, movies and shows. Unlike the TV program, you can do this at any time and with any device.
The app is available for Apple devices, Android, but also other systems like Amazon Fire TV. Depending on the operating system, the app also includes free Toggo games. You can listen to music via the integrated Toggo Radio.
Overall, the navigation in the app is clearly structured and child-friendly. You can set favorites and the app remembers the state of the last use. Users must be online to view the content. So, compared to other streaming services, you can’t download individual shows and watch them offline. Some users in the app stores complain about long loading times and technical flaws. Some series seasons are missing from the offer or episodes are only available in abbreviated form.
Once installed and opened, you can start directly with the first videos and clips without registration. The series, movies, clips and shows are kid-friendly, colorful, funny and deal with children’s issues. Some series are very well-known and have a large fan base, e.g. Lego NinjaGo, Woozle Goozle, Angelo, PAW Patrol or Pokémon. With this app, kids have a very easy access to their favorite content. So the experience is similar to the TV, with the advantage that the selection is much larger and you can therefore choose much more.
Since the app is almost entirely financed by advertising revenue, commercials are shown before, during and even in the middle of the videos. If your child is not yet experienced with advertising, it can strongly influence desires or create new ones.
The view on the tablet automatically switches from the portrait overview to landscape when videos are selected. This can be a bit annoying because you have to turn the tablet over and over again. Also, the screen is very crowded with the small icons for all the content. Younger children in particular can be overwhelmed by the wide range of offers.
The provider guarantees that no content with an age rating of 12 years or older is included. For younger children, there is the Toggolino app.
Advertising is clearly marked and therefore easy to distinguish from other content.
The app lacks a reference to specific age recommendations for the individual series. You should inform yourself in advance, e.g. via Flimmo, which series are suitable for your child. Accompany your child as they use the app so you notice how they respond to content. When you watch together, you can answer your child’s questions and he or she can process the content better if he or she can interact with you.
There are hardly any setting options in the app, which you also have to search for first (at the very bottom in the footer). The “Select favorites” function is missing in the iOS version.
For some offers a monthly fee is due. In return, there will be less advertising, among other things. It’s the same with the Toggo app compared to other video and streaming services. If you or your child decide to use the Toggo app, it is advisable to talk about advertising. In conversation, you can find out if it can see through advertising and explain to it what advertising is and how it works. You can find suggestions for this in our article.
Do you know it? It’s Saturday, seven o’clock in the morning: your child is already lively, while you would like to sleep a little longer. That’s when the tablet can jump in and keep the child occupied while you take another look around, right?
Yes and no! There are moments in everyday life when it’s just handy to have a little time and quiet while the child is busy with the tablet or cell phone for a while. It has fun with it and you can take care of other things meanwhile. In exceptional cases, this is certainly not a problem. It can be difficult when it becomes a habit.
Because: Children still need guidance in many things they are learning. This includes the use of media. What the accompaniment looks like depends on the age and completely individually on your child. Young children should not be left alone when watching something on a tablet or television. This way, you can witness what your child is watching and how he or she is coping with it. They can also share their media experiences with you and ask questions if they don’t understand something. This is important so that your child can process the content. What your child looks at or listens to should also be age appropriate. Keep media time low and give your child enough time to process his or her media experiences.
Older children already have more media experience and you as a parent can already assess how your child deals with certain content. Again, though, make sure you have age-appropriate offerings, limited media time, and at least be around when your child is using media. If you can’t sit with them, settings on the device and in apps can help prevent your child from accessing content that may overwhelm or even frighten them.
It is best when media is shared within the family, such as a weekly movie night. Media are thus part of everyday family life and are not misappropriated as chaperones. Because only you can pay attention!
