Children and young people encounter AI in many places today: Chatbots answer questions for homework, voice assistants help in everyday life, creative apps generate images, music or short stories. This can be exciting, inspiring and confusing at the same time. Many parents therefore ask themselves: How do I guide my child so that they use AI curiously, safely and critically without being overwhelmed? Don’t worry: you don’t have to be an AI expert to accompany your child safely.
Artificial intelligence is often surprisingly clever. It responds quickly, friendly and sometimes more convincingly than adults. However, children should understand: AI does not “know” anything. It merely calculates which answers are likely to seem correct. And that is precisely why it can make mistakes, adopt prejudices or invent content.
Many AI applications also save the data entered. Depending on the tool, more or less information can be collected. Children should therefore learn early on to handle personal information with care. It should also be clear that AI is no substitute for personal advice, teachers or parents.
The younger children are, the more guidance they need when dealing with AI. For primary school children in particular, it is important to try things out together, ask questions and scrutinize results.
Can’t find an answer to your question? Ask your personal questions about your child’s media use directly and conveniently using the messenger service via WhatsApp or Threema. You can find more information here.
In the age of social media, it is easy to gain insights into the lives of famous people – and to feel surprisingly close to them. However, what almost feels like a friendship for fans in front of their (mobile) screens is primarily a job for the creators that earns them money. We need to make children and young people in particular aware of the business model behind this supposed closeness.
For many young people, it sounds dreamy and tempting to get rich with short or longer internet videos. In reality, however, highly successful profiles usually involve a whole team, precise production planning and a sophisticated marketing strategy. This is because the content must be specifically designed and played out in such a way that it generates reach – and ultimately revenue.
Influencers earn their money in various ways:
For children and young people, ‘their’ influencers are often important role models and idols. They enjoy a high level of trust among young people, their content and statements are rarely questioned and their ‘product recommendations‘ are readily accepted.
By using the advertised products, young people feel closer to the lifestyle of the influencers and stars as well as to themselves and can thus express their own identity or affiliation.
Influencer marketing is aimed much more directly and precisely at specific target groups and has a very personal impact, which is why it has long been more important and more successful than traditional TV and radio commercials.
Advertising is not recognizedRecommendations appear personal and honest, but are often paid for. If this is not recognized, trust can be exploited.
Closeness is misunderstood: Virtual interactions – for example via live chats or gifts to influencers – can create the impression of genuine relationships that do not exist in reality. The relationship is “one-sided”, as the fans are usually an anonymous mass for the influencer in question.
Consumer pressure arises: Creators often show a lot of new products and a lifestyle full of “must-haves”. This can distort expectations, affect self-esteem and lead to financial problems.
Stay up to date and talk to your child about their consumer behavior. Influencers play an important role in guiding children and young people. Be understanding and show interest. Ask your child which creators they follow and why. Take a look at their content together and talk about what you have seen.
For many children, what their peers use and do is important. The need to belong is part of their development. Help your child set up a social media account if they want to be on these platforms, and together make sure they have privacy settings and provide truthful age information so that the platforms’ safety precautions can take effect.
Talk about how influencers earn money, how your child recognizes advertising, the strategies behind it and how good purchasing decisions can be made.
To avoid unexpected costs, we have created a checklist for you on how you can limit in-app purchases on your child’s device.
If you would like to find out more about this topic, take a look at our colleagues at klicksafe over. They describe how exactly YouTubers earn money.
The smell of cookies, shopping stress, shining children’s eyes: the holidays are approaching and digital devices and games are on the wish lists of many children and young people. What should parents consider before and after giving a gift? Between the years and during the vacations, there is also time for shared family media experiences. How can this be designed in a safe, age-appropriate and even creative way? In this article, we give you an overview of offers from the Elternguide.online partner network.
The Christmas vacations can be long, especially when the weather outside doesn’t really invite you to play. If you have devices such as smartphones, tablets, cameras or a laptop at home – how about you and your child just get started? You can take photos or film together, try out new creative apps and actively organize media time. It’s great fun and your child will also learn something about media skills along the way.
On the website kinder.jff.de there are suggestions for simple media projects that children aged 3 and over can do at home with the support of you as parents. This is helped by child-friendly video instructions in which the implementation of the media projects is shown step by step. How about a photo memory with Christmas tree decorations or an audio story about Christmas traditions?
knipsclub offers a safe environment for young photo fans between the ages of 8 and 12 to try out their skills in a closed and pedagogically supervised photo community and exchange photos with each other. On the website you will find creative photo tips, for example on
You are probably familiar with challenges from social media, e.g. dance challenges on TikTok. Children and young people love to take on challenges. Challenges don’t necessarily only have to take place on the Internet, you can also play them at home with your family! Why not try out the top photo challenge, the clip challenge or the re-enactment challenge? We have made a few suggestions in our parents’ guide article. You can find more Advent challenges on the website of the JFF project webhelm.de.
Children have many questions and learn early on that their questions will be answered on the Internet. How is Christmas celebrated in other countries? What craft tips and baking recipes are there for Christmas? The children’s search engine fragFINN offers children access to around 3,400 verified websites, including almost 400 children’s sites. Primary school children can gain their first Internet experience here in a protected surfing room and learn how to use search engines and search results. In the fragFINN Advent calendar, children can open a little door every day, behind which are links to other children’s sites with a wide range of information and offers suitable for the winter season. You can find more playful learning pages in this parents’ guide article.
Your child probably also likes watching videos and going to the movies. A TV evening together can be a really nice family experience. Pay attention to the FSK age rating to protect your child from unsuitable content. But be careful: FSK ratings are
Parents must decide individually when their child is ready for their first smartphone, depending on their level of development and experience. After all, a smartphone theoretically opens up the whole world of the Internet to your child, with all its opportunities and risks. klicksafe offers comprehensive information for parents. Use the smartphone readiness checklist to check whether a smartphone is ready to go under the Christmas tree. Has the decision been positive? Then find out about the technical setting options and set up your smartphone to be childproof. You can find all information material from klicksafe in this topic special.
Would you like to prepare your child for the first smartphone under the Christmas tree? Child-friendly information on the first smartphone is available in the children’s magazine Genial Digital from Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk. The fragFINN app gives your child a protected surfing space on their first smartphone and gives them access to quality, positive content.
Are you considering buying a smartwatch as an alternative? Then take a look at this topic from klicksafe. Please note: technical protective measures are no substitute for family discussions and media rules. Stay in contact with your child and accompany them as they take their first steps with a smartwatch or smartphone.
In addition to discussions and media rules, technical youth media protection is an important component of media education. Use the screen time and digital wellbeing settings on smartphones to set time limits for the entire device or for different apps and to filter content. The parental control program JusProg offers a precise filtering option for websites and safe default settings for mobile devices and laptops. Google Family Link and YouTube Kids offer the opportunity to make media experiences safer for your child in the world of the internet giant Google. Social media apps such as Instagram and TikTok also offer safety features and parental guidance options. Streaming with the family can be a fun activity during the vacations. Almost all streaming services have certified offers for the protection of minors. Use your own child profiles and the parental control function with the PIN. Many of the youth protection programs have been approved by the expert commission of the Voluntary Self-Regulation of Multimedia Service Providers (FSM). You can find out more about technical solutions for the protection of minors in the media on the FSM website.
Detailed instructions for all devices can be found on the website medien-kindersicher.de.
Which games should I give my child for Christmas? Are games okay for preschoolers? In the family section of the USK website and via the USK brochures, you will find all the information you need on the USK’s age ratings, the additional information and how to deal with the subject of games in the family.
The USK mark indicates the age at which a game does not cause any developmental impairments. The additional information such as “fantasy violence” or “pressure to act” gives parents a good indication of whether a game is suitable for their own child. Educational assessments of games can be found at the NRW games guide. Descriptions of popular games like Fortnite, Minecraft or Roblox are available on Elternguide.online. The USK lexicon explains the most important terms, devices and genres.
Would you like to make your child happy with a game for Christmas? Find out about the distribution channels for games and technical precautionary measures. Various settings for the protection of minors can be made on consoles as well as in game stores and the games themselves. Play together with your child and ask them interesting questions about their favorite games.
The team at Elternguide.online wishes you and your family a wonderful Christmas season and lots of fun using media safely and creatively!
Want to quickly watch a children’s series, a movie for the evening or the important soccer match? It’s all on Joyn. Joyn is a streaming platform like
Joyn is the German middle ground between traditional television and major streaming services. The service can be accessed via smartphone, tablet, PC or smart TV, via app or in the browser. Children and young people can find current TV shows, their
Joyn is particularly attractive for children and young people because the basic version is free of charge and can sometimes even be used without logging in. Many freely available live TV contents can be accessed directly in the browser. For additional functions – such as personalized recommendations or saving watchlists – registration with an email address is required.
If parents don’t want to or can’t subscribe to their own streaming service, Joyn is still easily accessible. The platform offers many shows and series that are currently being talked about in the school playground, including Big Brother, The Masked Singer and Germany’s Next Top Model.
Particularly appealing for young fans of the programs: Joyn offers opportunities to actively participate in the app. For example, viewers can vote on who advances to the next round in a show, take part in quiz formats or take part in competitions. This reinforces the feeling of being right in the middle of the action and motivates viewers to tune in regularly.
Anyone using Joyn will initially only be shown content that is approved for under 16s. The account must be verified with an ID number for everything that is approved from 16 or 18. However, this age verification does not offer complete protection. Parents can create a profile and secure it with a parental control PIN so that children can only play content that has been approved for ages 0, 6 or 12.
Important to know: Content that cannot be played remains visible. Preview images, titles or short descriptions can arouse children’s curiosity or draw their attention to topics that are
Joyn emphasizes that the protection of minors is an essential part of the platform and that all legal requirements are complied with. The parental control PIN cannot simply be deactivated and the provider provides detailed instructions on how to set up profiles for children. Age verification is carried out in compliance with data protection regulations and the data is only stored temporarily
Make clear agreements with your child about what can and cannot be watched. If possible, use the offer together – especially with younger children. Actively accompany your child, talk about the content and whether something may cause anxiety or unpleasant feelings. Set up a profile with a parental control PIN if your child is too young to view content from the age of 16 or 18. Make sure that content with a parental rating of 0, 6 and 12 years remains accessible to everyone. Talk to your child regularly about what
Whether dance trends, comedy or small everyday moments – TikTok inspires young people worldwide. The platform invites them to get creative, try out new things and get in touch with others. For many young people, it has long been more than just entertainment – it is part of their everyday lives.
TikTok combines social media and video app. Users choose from a library of well-known songs, audio or film quotes, film playback or create their own clips. The videos usually only last a few seconds to minutes, but clips of up to ten minutes are now also possible. Some videos trigger hype, are imitated or continued as challenges.
Public videos can be viewed via the browser, an account is required for your own uploads. TikTok offers many additional functions: Duets (filming together), stitches (sharing clips from others), live streams and the
Young people appreciate TikTok for fun, sharing and self-presentation. The app is low-threshold: with effects, a music library and simple editing options, you can quickly create your own videos. Unlike
TikTok motivates young users to realize their own ideas: Dance moves, comedy, experiments, tutorials or role-playing games. Many learn how to plan content, develop small storyboards and combine music with visual effects.
TikTok is continuously developing its security functions:
Despite these measures, the feed remains algorithm-controlled. Content can be filtered, e.g. videos from people with disabilities or those that are censored in individual countries. The app’s endless loops can also lead to heavy usage pressure.
Clarify motivation: Ask your child why they want to use TikTok – entertainment, creativity or sharing? Explain that likes, followers and comments can influence self-perception.
Step-by-step introduction: Start by exploring the app together via the browser, without an account. If you set it up together later, make sure you enter the year of birth correctly – this is the only way to ensure that the safety functions relevant to the protection of minors work. Check the settings step by step: privacy, comments, time limits.
Use security functions: Enable accompanied mode, private accounts, restricted comments and content filters. Deactivate livestreams, duets and stitches under the age of 16. The step-by-step instructions on medien-kindersicher.de will help you to set up all the important settings correctly.
Rules for private messagesDefine together who is allowed to send DMs or voice messages. Deactivate this function completely if required. Only allow group chats with known people.
Protect your privacyExplain never to share personal data such as name, school or address. Show how faces can be covered with stickers or backgrounds. Point out possible biometric data collection through filters.
Time management and balance: Agree fixed screen times, plan breaks and encourage activities outside the app. Actively accompany your child instead of just controlling them.
Reflective approach to content: Discuss advertising, filters, influencers and trends. Show how content is reported or blocked. Use the restart function to critically scrutinize recommendations.
Encourage communication: Encourage your child to report cyberbullying or harassment. Practise reporting and blocking together. Talk about respectful commenting and digital empathy. More information can be found in TikTok’s guide for parents (in cooperation with the FSM).
Strengthen critical thinking: Explain how algorithms work, what opportunities there are to earn money and how content can have a manipulative effect. This teaches your child to examine information critically.
Accompany instead of monitor: occasionally watch videos together, reflect on the rules and adjust them if necessary. Trust is the most important basis.
Having their own tablet can be exciting for children: playing games, reading books, getting creative or using educational apps. However, many parents ask themselves: when is it worth giving them their own device – and when is the family tablet enough?
A shared tablet makes sense in the early years. Your child can try out content while you accompany, explain and restrict what they see and do. One family device is often enough to gain initial experience with apps, videos or games and to reflect on media use together.
It makes sense for your child to have their own tablet if they want to use media independently on a regular basis, pursue their own interests or use learning apps that require personal accounts. For children from around 6 to 7 years of age, having their own device can be useful if you clearly regulate and supervise their use.
The decisive factor is not the age, but the maturity of your child: Can they follow the rules? Do they know how to surf the net safely? Can they reflect on content and differentiate between games, learning and entertainment? Only when these skills are in place is it worth having your own device.
A tablet for children should be robust, intuitive to use and not too expensive. Simple devices with a sturdy casing and a child-friendly interface are good entry-level options. Check whether educational apps, audio books or creative tools are useful and whether in-app purchases and advertising can be deactivated.
Whether it’s a family or personal device: define usage times, content and rules together. Parental controls, family accounts and parental control apps help to control media use. Reflect together: How long is your child allowed to use the tablet? What content is allowed?
Having your own tablet can promote digital independence if you accompany them: Explain functions, try out educational apps together and talk critically about advertising, algorithms and content. In this way, your child learns to use media consciously and reflectively.
Can’t find an answer to your question? Ask your personal questions about your child’s media use directly and conveniently using the messenger service via WhatsApp or Threema. You can find more information here.
The first Esports World Cup (EWC) took place in 2024. The event was watched by over 500 million viewers. Divided into 22 tournaments, the prize money totaled USD 60 million (= approx. €51.46 million). The games played included
The E in e-sport stands for “electronic”. The term therefore means something like “electronic sport”. The game is played on the computer or on a game console, either alone or in teams against each other. Players receive important league points or move up a rank. Real-time strategy games and first-person shooters are the most popular due to their complexity and entertainment value. This is because e-sports tournaments are played in front of a live audience – similar to a soccer match in a stadium. However, compared to traditional sports such as soccer or tennis, e-sports do not involve a great deal of physical exertion. It is primarily mental and motor skills that are trained and developed. These include, for example, tactics, fast reaction times, stamina and forward thinking. Organizational talent and social skills are also in demand: training times have to be arranged, agreements made within the team and often the athletes have to make their own financial arrangements.
Long before e-sports became an issue in Germany, e-athletes were already being celebrated like pop stars in Asia. In some countries, e-sports is even classified as a sport in its own right. E-sports will also be considered a non-profit sport in Germany from 01.01.2026. This brings financial and legal benefits and security for the sport and gamers. For example, clubs will be supported by public funding, e-sports will receive broader social recognition and become more competitive. Children and young people benefit from the recognition of e-sports as a non-profit activity in that they experience participation and community through broader, more accessible and more sustainable offers in the club. As e-sports mainly take place online, barriers such as location dependency or lack of accessibility can be overcome more easily. This makes it possible to play in a team with gamers from other countries or to play in an inclusive group.
The new amendment to the law now officially defines e-sports as a term. As with other sports, it emphasizes the importance of tactical, motor and strategic skills. If you are active as an e-athlete and play well, you can even make a lucrative business out of it. The dream of many e-athletes is to become better and better and more famous so that one day they can earn a living from it and turn their hobby into a career. There are also clubs where players can sign contracts.
If your child is an e-sports player or would like to become one, find out about the USK age ratings for the respective games. They provide information on whether the game is safe from the point of view of the protection of minors, i.e. whether it does not contain any harmful content for the respective age. E-sports can quickly tempt you to play for a very long time and spend money on equipment. You should therefore define clear rules together with your child, such as playing times and duration, and also make framework conditions, such as financial ones, clear. Also find out who your child communicates with about the game – they are usually the same friends your child spends time with. Also observe your child’s gaming behavior so that you can react if other activities such as spending time with friends outside of gaming or school are neglected. Have a conversation with your child and talk about why they would like to become an e-athlete. Show interest, let them show you their favorite games and why not try them out for yourself! This way you can experience for yourself why your child enjoys the game so much as a competition. And perhaps you and your child will soon be playing together.
Roblox is a very popular game among children and young people. Here you can create virtual worlds in Lego style, a mixture of game world and social network. At the beginning of 2025, Roblox received the new age rating of 16+ – we take a look at what this means for young people and you as parents.
Roblox combines gaming, social media and creative design on one platform. For example, chat functions are also included, players can develop their own games and even earn money with them. In January 2025, the Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body (USK) raised the age rating for Roblox from 12 to 16. The reasons for the increase are violent content, increased purchase incentives and a range of offers for different age groups. The USK also points out online risks, e.g. chats and in-game purchases with random content, so-called loot boxes. With these gambling-like mechanisms, it is particularly difficult for younger people to keep track of their spending. If accounts are not adequately secured, children and young people can come into contact with problematic behavior such as cybergrooming or cyberbullying.
In addition, the security measures intended to protect younger players are not sufficient: there are no age labels in accordance with German youth protection standards and children’s accounts are not secure enough. The new age rating “from 16 years” should also provide parents with better guidance.
What does this mean for you and other families? First of all, if your child (under the age of 16) already has a Roblox account, you are not obliged to delete the account due to the age rating upgrade. However, the reasons for raising the age rating clearly show that the platform harbors risks for children that need to be taken seriously. Based on this, you as parents must ultimately decide whether the platform is still suitable for your child.
You don’t want to ban use completely? Make sure you check the account restrictions together and adjust them if necessary. In any case, create a parent account and link it to your child’s account. Talk to your child about the age upgrade and why the approval has been adjusted. Think about how future use can be made safer – for example, only when accompanied by you or older siblings.
If you decide that your child should delete an existing Roblox account, talk about it together and explain your reasons. Show understanding for the fact that this decision may make your child sad or angry. Think together about what alternative, age-appropriate games your child might enjoy. You can find recommendations, for example, at the NRW games guide.
If you are already using a parental control program, depending on the age setting, games with a 16+ rating may be automatically blocked. You can read more about games here.
Can’t find an answer to your question? Ask your personal questions about your child’s media use directly and conveniently using the messenger service via WhatsApp or Threema. You can find more information here.
“I’ll stop right now – really!” Do you know this phrase from your child? Then they must be a big fan of games. Whether on a smartphone, tablet, PC or console, digital games are a popular leisure activity for many children and young people. They enjoy using and developing their gaming skills. At the same time, gaming at home can also lead to conflicts, for example when it comes to the choice of games or media time. We have summarized the most important recommendations for a good approach to games in the family for you.
Immerse yourself in game worlds, simply switch off, learn something new or compete with others – what fascinates your child about gaming? Let your child show you how a game works and what they experience in it. You won’t always be able to share their fascination. Nevertheless, take your child’s enthusiasm seriously. Watch your child play and ask about it. This allows you to recognize whether they can distinguish between reality and fiction, whether they understand the content presented and what challenges they are confronted with. Play together sometimes too!
Not every game that your child knows from friends or that is advertised by streamers is suitable for them. Aspects such as content risks, online interactions and incentives to buy pose particular challenges when it comes to gaming. Therefore, pay attention to the USK age ratings and only allow your child access to games that are appropriate for their age. . Make security settings on devices, in accounts and in the games themselves. An overview of the youth protection settings of various platforms can be found in the NRW player guide and the information service medien-kindersicher.de.
Age labels are not educational recommendations: Therefore, always check suitability based on both the release and your child’s individual stage of development. Educational age recommendations help you to select suitable content. In this article, we present suitable online platforms for educational game ratings. Test out the games and form an opinion on which games are age-appropriate and suitable for your child. If siblings of different ages play together, base your choice on the younger child.
Set media rules together that all family members adhere to. Decide together with your child when they are allowed to play games or agree how much time your child can spend playing games each week. The duration of the game should be based on your assessment and your experience with your child. 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. Keep talking about the media rules and adapt them to your child’s stage of development. Does your child sometimes play games with friends? Then talk to the other parents and come to an agreement about which games can be played there and for how long. You can find more information and tips on game rules on the USK website.
Online games are fun, promote team spirit and communication. However, games and platforms such as Steam, Twitch or Discord also harbor risks such as insults, disinformation and ideological influence. Talk to your child about respectful communication, how to use gaming language and how to check information critically. Explain to your child what data they should protect, how they should deal with strangers and what risks they may encounter online – such as cybergrooming. Encourage them to block annoying accounts and use moderated chats where possible. Use parental control and privacy settings to limit communication to known contacts if necessary. Have regular conversations and pay attention to USK notices such as “contact risks” or “increased communication risks”. Be there for your child as a contact person so that they can get in touch with you at any time if they are unsure.
Don’t forbid your child to play because he or she has messed up, and don’t use play as a reward. Because that only gives it a higher status. Keep an eye on your child’s screen time and intervene if it gets too much. Every child needs times when they can move around and experience things independently of the screen. Support your child in pursuing leisure activities such as sports or music, meeting friends offline and doing things with you and the family.
Many parents ask themselves this question at the beginning of the vacation weeks. The answer is not so easy to give. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Appropriate screen time depends on your child’s age, stage of development and needs – so it’s an individual decision. Talking to other parents can help, but no two children and families are the same and media rules can vary accordingly.
Set rules for screen and media time depending on what media your child uses and how well they can handle it.
Shared media use and conversations about the experiences will help you to assess this well. The form of use should also play a role: So how does your child spend their time? Are they finding out about a topic that is currently of particular interest to them? Are they playing games, watching series or endlessly scrolling through social media feeds? Are they alone?
Media offer us the opportunity to inform ourselves, to be inspired, to interact with others, to distract ourselves from our hectic everyday lives – but they can also stress us out or even burden us. Especially during the vacations, it can be good to take a break from the often packed and tightly structured daily routine of school, sports clubs or music lessons. Using media can help your child relax and stay in touch with friends. However, a balance is important, such as playing indoors and outdoors, sports, arts and crafts or spending time with friends and family.
Media rules are more likely to be accepted if they are made together with your child. Talk together about what media and content your child uses, when, how and why. Also think about your own media use, as parents act as role models. Establish common media rules for the whole family. Deviations during the vacations or at weekends are okay! Rules must fit your child’s development and needs as well as your everyday family life so that they can be adhered to.
You can find out more about media rules and screen time in these Elternguide.online articles and videos:
https://www.elternguide.online/regeln-fuer-die-mediennutzung-in-der-familie/
https://www.elternguide.online/medienregeln-fuer-schulkinder/
https://www.elternguide.online/der-staendige-streit-um-medienzeiten-ab-wann-ist-es-zu-viel/
https://www.elternguide.online/wann-ist-viel-zu-viel-zwischen-sucht-und-extremer-mediennutzung/
Can’t find an answer to your question? Ask your personal questions about your child’s media use directly and conveniently using the messenger service via WhatsApp or Threema. You can find more information here.
Whether fashion, fitness, gaming, knowledge or lifestyle – children and young people spend a lot of time on social media and meet digital role models there. Influencers present content that entertains, inspires or informs. This overview shows parents what types of influencers there are, what topics they cover, what young people pay particular attention to and what opportunities and risks they present.
They know what’s going on on the catwalks and in the fashion stores: fashion influencers show the latest trends, give styling tips and often combine clothing with beauty, sports or lifestyle topics. Younger viewers in particular use these profiles to get inspiration for their own style, outfits and self-presentation.
Problematic: unrealistic beauty and body ideals, high consumer pressure, advertising for products.
A workout in the morning, followed by the perfect breakfast – fitness influencers live for sport and health and share training plans, nutrition tips and motivation with their followers. They appeal to young people with sporting ambitions as well as beginners.
Problematic: exaggerated body ideals, unrealistic training goals, advertising for products or nutritional supplements.
From savings accounts to crypto custody accounts: finfluencers explain saving, investing, trading and cryptocurrencies. They often combine tips with personal success stories and glamorous lifestyle portrayals. Older young people come across these channels when pocket money, part-time jobs or their first major purchases become relevant.
Problematic: lack of qualification, unrealistic promises of profit, monetization, possible financial losses.
Politics, science, psychology or history – knowledge influencers convey complex topics in a clear and understandable way. Examples include Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim, Mirko Drotschmann and Leon Windscheid. They explain content in an entertaining, approachable way and often with a wink. Many young people perceive them not only as a source of information, but also as role models who influence language, ways of reasoning or school interests.
Problematic: limited depth, susceptibility to errors, monetization, simplified representations.
Chips and popcorn out – Let’s Players play video games and comment on strategies, tips and stories. The gaming scene is male-dominated, but female and queer Let’s Players are becoming increasingly important and serve as role models for children and young people.
Problematic: addictive potential, excessive screen time, monetization, interaction with strangers.
Whether crafting, baking or restoring furniture – DIY influencers show step-by-step instructions for creative projects. Children and young people can try out their own skills and copy ideas.
Problematic: risk of imitation for dangerous work, advertising for products, monetization.
They let their followers take part in what appears to be everyday life: Preparing breakfast, shopping, decorating or doing sports – lifestyle influencers show everyday content and entertainment. Young people look to them as role models and follow their preferences and everyday rituals.
Problematic: unrealistic everyday expectations, consumer pressure, advertising, privacy.
Dancing, comedy, pranks – entertainment influencers offer short, funny content. They are stars at peer group level and provide entertainment, but rarely more in-depth information.
Problematic: Violent or joking content, monetization, uncontrolled comments.
They campaign for the environment, social justice, tolerance and mental health. Sinnfluencer*innen motivate children and young people to get involved in society.
Problematic: one-sided representations, ideologization, possible advertising or sponsoring.
Questions such as “What is glyphosate?”, “What is going on in People Pleasers?”, “What are the rules on nuclear weapons?” or “What is Max Mustermann’s name in other countries?” no longer require hours of research in the library. Knowledge influencers explain these topics to us quickly, clearly and often entertainingly on YouTube or Instagram.
Knowledge influencers are the pocket encyclopaedia of the 21st century. They are usually experts in one field – people who are very well versed in politics, history, psychology, math, chemistry or other areas. In short, clear videos, they convey knowledge that would otherwise be complex or difficult to understand. Ideally, the presentation remains factual and informative without influencing viewers in a certain direction or being too judgmental.
Math, German, politics, psychology – the world is full of exciting topics and the Internet is full of people who explain them to us.
Politics, climate or Max Mustermann – sounds boring, but suddenly becomes exciting on Instagram and YouTube! Knowledge influencers manage the balancing act of conveying complex knowledge in an entertaining and understandable way. They are often young, close to the lives of their target group and appear humorous, relaxed and approachable.
Children and young people are curious by nature, want to understand, form their own opinions and have their say. Those who present their knowledge in an interesting and clear way quickly become role models. Some knowledge influencers even become stars in the school playground. Particularly exciting: they pick up on current topics or even school material. This allows young people to find answers to questions that are already on their minds. In doing so, they not only orient themselves in terms of content, but also adopt language, ways of arguing or develop a new interest in certain school subjects and possible fields of study.
Every year in August, Cologne transforms into the Mecca of the computer and video game world for four days: Gamescom. This globally important trade fair attracts numerous visitors, including many children and young people with a passion for gaming.
Gamescom is Europe’s largest trade fair for interactive entertainment and one of the most important in the world. Thousands of games enthusiasts from all over the world meet here. The focus is on computer and video games, their developers and the gaming community. New games are presented on the large exhibition grounds, gameplay scenes are presented on live stages, there are lectures and shows, game corners, workshops and interviews with game developers. At some events, visitors can not only watch, but also play themselves.
gamescom 2025 will take place in Cologne from August 20 to 24, 2025.
Visiting Gamescom is a special experience for adolescents in different age groups. Everything revolves around gaming. You can discover lots of things and try out new games – if you want to queue up in the long lines.
For children aged 4 and over, there is a “retro & family” area where everything is tailored to the needs of this age group. This area combines nostalgic play culture with the latest technologies and offers a stage program as well as many hands-on activities such as play stations. In the “Junior Club”, families can take advantage of childcare for children aged 4 to 12.
A key reason why young people are keen to attend Gamescom is the opportunity to see their favorite YouTubers and Let’s Players live. These stars of the scene are often on site and offer their fans exclusive meet-and-greets. Anyone wishing to visit the “Signing Area” this year must book a free time slot in advance.
Walking around Gamescom without adult supervision is the epitome of independence for many children. As a general rule, children under the age of 3 are not admitted to the fair. If your child is between 4 and 11 years old, they must be accompanied by an adult at all times. In fact, you should think carefully about whether your child can already handle the many stimuli at such an event.
Parents with children under the age of 12 should make sure that their children are only allowed to play games that are appropriate for their age. Gamescom is theoretically allowed to present games for all ages, but in practice careful selection and attention is paid here. Upon admission, each visitor will receive an age band with different colors upon presentation of a photo ID, analogous to the USK age ratings (12, 16 or 18 years). The USK checks every publicly presented game and all trailers at Gamescom so that everything is clearly marked with the corresponding age limits. For games with a USK 16 or 18 rating, stand staff must ensure that they are not actually visible or accessible to children – e.g. by providing privacy screens or separate rooms. Youth protection is a top priority here, as the Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body (USK) is the official youth protection partner of Gamescom: at the entrance and at numerous stands within the event, every visitor will receive an age band with different colors, analogous to the USK age ratings (12, 16 or 18 years), upon presentation of a photo ID. The USK has checked every game publicly presented at Gamescom and every visible trailer so that everything is clearly marked with the appropriate age rating. In the case of games and trailers with a USK 16 or 18, stand personnel must ensure that these are not actually visible or accessible to children – e.g. by means of privacy screens or separate rooms.
If your child is over 11 years old and independent enough to discover Gamescom on their own, you should still arrange a meeting point and time in each hall where the family can make a brief appointment. Gamescom is very crowded, so it’s easy to feel lost. Also make sure that your child’s smartphone has enough battery or give them a piece of paper with your name and phone number on it. This is also recommended if, after careful consideration, you decide to allow your child (who is 12 years or older) to visit Gamescom with friends without adult supervision. Also, arrange a set time and place to pick up your child. Also, keep in mind that food and beverage prices at trade shows are often relatively high.
The range of digital games on offer is now huge. Whether via smartphone, tablet, PC or console – as a parent, it’s easy to lose track of the wealth of adventure and action games, educational and strategy games, simulations and role-playing games. For many children and young people, the fascination with games not only means fun in their everyday lives, but can also have other positive side effects such as creativity. As is usually the case with media use, the same applies here: The extent and selection of games are crucial for responsible use: age labels provide initial guidance.
Germany has the most binding legal regulations for the testing and sale of digital games in the world. The protection of minors plays a major role here. As with most entertainment products, parents should also make sure that the product is safe for their child’s age. This is exactly what the Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body, USK for short, checks and assigns age ratings.
These provide information on whether, from the point of view of the protection of minors, the game does not contain any developmentally harmful content or unsecured risks due to online functions for the respective age. The following age ratings are available:
Additional information is provided alongside the USK age rating. These provide information about the reasons that led to the age rating (such as “violence”, “pressure to act” or “incriminating themes”). And they indicate which possible aspects of use you should pay attention to (such as “in-game purchases” or chats”). Here, the individual notes are explained in more detail.
The age ratings can be found on all game packaging and on many popular gaming platforms. The USK age ratings for online games, which are awarded as part of the international IARC (International Age Rating Coalition) system, also meet the high German youth standards. They are available in all connected systems. These include the Google Play Store, Nintendo eShop, Microsoft Store for Windows and Xbox, PlayStation Store, Epic Games Store, Fortnite, Meta Quest Store, Pico Store and Amazon Luna.
Since 2021, there has been a labeling requirement for very large online gaming platforms. Not all platforms have signed up to the international IARC age classification system. They use their own labeling systems and therefore sometimes display different age labels.
In the European trading area, there are also PEGI (Pan European Games Information) age ratings on game packaging with the age levels 3, 7, 12, 16 and 18. The age recommendation is the result of a common European approach to the protection of minors. For distribution in Germany, however, the USK age ratings are legally binding.
In addition to the age labels, which are based on a youth protection test, there are also a number of educational age recommendations. These provide parents with information on whether games are suitable for a certain age, i.e. whether they are manageable and understandable. Comprehensive educational assessments can be found, for example, on the website of Spieleratgeber NRW.
When choosing digital games, you should first know what your child likes to play. Find out about the game in question and refer to the age rating and additional information. The USK has compiled a lexicon with the most common terms from the games sector. Observe your child as he or she interacts with the content. Every child is different and develops differently. Knowing about the possible challenges in play makes it easier for you to actively support your child in digital play and take appropriate protective measures. Sometimes it makes sense to see whether other options are more suitable. In any case, stay in contact with your child and set fair rules together. Just see if other offers are more suitable.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a game popular with children for the Nintendo Switch. In this part of the game series, the animal characters are transported to a beautiful island.
In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, a popular part of the Animal Crossing series, players start a new life with their own character on a colorful, peaceful island world. There they explore the island with its towns and rivers, mountains and beaches. They build their own house, plant gardens and come into contact with their animal neighbors, who gradually move in. There is a lot to discover and do on the game map. For example, players can go fishing, catch insects or help other islanders.
The play money on the island is called Sternis and is used for many things. Players can earn staris by completing tasks such as searching for shells or collecting branches or selling things. All players have their own house, which they can gradually expand with up to five additional rooms and equip with furniture and decorations using the in-game currency. If you want to share or download additional content such as outfits with others, you will need a paid subscription – but this is not necessary for the fun of the game itself.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons runs in real time – this means that the times of day and seasons change just like in real life. A kind of time travel function allows children to change the date and time on the console in order to progress faster in the game. The game can easily be played offline; an internet connection is not absolutely necessary. This means that children can also play locally with others and explore neighboring islands. For online connections, however, the paid subscription is required, which allows them to play together with up to eight players via the internet.
The game is friendly and lovingly designed – with lots of cute animal figures and a colorful, child-friendly environment. It offers children the opportunity to immerse themselves in their own little island world, which they can design as they wish. They playfully discover things from real life, for example how farming works, how to handle money or how to look after animals. New tasks and options are gradually unlocked. This keeps the game exciting without being overwhelming – ideal for children who do not yet have much gaming experience. The controls are also kept simple so that children can quickly find their way around and play independently. Animal Crossing: New Horizons promotes diversity by allowing players to choose and change pronouns, looks and outfits at any time, free from gender roles.
Simulation games can be very engaging for kids because they want to keep progressing. Many tasks are designed to be repeated daily – this can lead to regular play and habitual behavior.
When the Nintendo Switch is connected to the internet, functions such as chat or the store can be used. This poses further risks in the game, such as unwanted contact from strangers.
Nach Alterskennzeichen und pädagogischer Empfehlung ist das Spiel frühestens ab etwa 6 Jahren geeignet. Begleiten Sie Ihr Kind beim Einstieg und lassen Sie es anfangs nicht allein spielen. Sie können auch gemeinsam spielen und mit eigenen Spielfiguren die Insel erkunden und so besser nachvollziehen, was Ihrem Kind daran gefällt. Mehr Informationen zum Spiel bekommen Sie auf der Webseite des Spieleratgeber NRW.
Please note the following points:
Use playtime together to clarify questions and understand what fascinates your child about play.
