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Accompanying children in digital environments
Digital media has become an integral part of our everyday lives. Many children today grow up with YouTube videos, online games and social media apps as a matter of course. Children and young people do not distinguish between the digital world and real life. For them, the two belong together. As parents, this puts you in a dual role: on the one hand, you want to make your children fit in their everyday use of media and, on the other, you want to protect your children from potential risks online. Teaching media skills has become an important part of modern parenting.
Media literacy: What is it and how do you teach it to your child?
The digital space offers a variety of different, personality-enhancing worlds of experience. Today, developing a strong personality also involves developing one's own media skills. Children and young people should be empowered to use media sensibly, safely and responsibly. It requires a certain level of confidence to exploit the potential of digital offerings without losing sight of the associated risks. Many adults also need to develop this confidence themselves. There is a wide range of material available for parents, professionals and young people, for example on the websites of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Kinder und Jugendschutz (AJS) NRW e. V., the Fachstelle für Jugendmedienkultur NRW, the klicksafe initiative and the Spieleratgeber NRW.
What risks should be considered when using digital media?
Children between the ages of 10 and 16 use digital media for various purposes: to get information, stay in touch with their peers, pass the time, play games or find inspiration. Especially during the pandemic, they acquired new technical skills, as most of their education and leisure time took place in digital media. It is important to show adolescents the many benefits of digital media use as well as the potential risks from an early age. Help from adults is needed when children and young people
- use digital media excessively
- experience digital violence (cyberbullying, images of violence or hate comments), being confronted with false reports or conspiracy narratives or extremism,
- experience harassment, boundary violations or sexualized violence (cybergrooming), being intentionally or unintentionally confronted with pornographic material,experiencing their own intimate images or videos being sent with or without their consent.
Digital violence has a lasting impact on the psychological integrity of children and young people. As a caregiver, the first thing you can do to help your child in the event of a boundary violation is to talk to them and remain sensitive to their individual needs.
How can potential risks be prevented?
In addition to strengthening personality, privacy protection also plays an important role. If your child has their own cell phone or tablet, you should take technical measures to protect them. For example, you can adjust the device settings (iOS or Android), make privacy settings in individual apps or install a suitable parental control app. For example, you can set screen time limits or prevent your child from posting anything publicly or falling for cost traps. You can find out more about this in the recommended materials at the bottom of this page.
What rules for media use in everyday life can be discussed in the family?
Children and young people need clear guidance when using media. The best way to achieve this is to have a continuous discussion about rules for use within the family and to strike an appropriate balance between the personality-enhancing aspects of media use and the risks associated with it.
Here are some examples:- For the use of digital media such as television, computer, cell phone or tablet, agree on fixed times and a daily maximum duration.
- Discuss the age rating of films from the Voluntary Self-Regulation of the Film Industry (FSK) and the Games Industry Self-Regulation Body (USK) for computer or online games and only allow the use of age-appropriate media.
- Exceptions may be permitted by arrangement: for example, more media consumption on bad weather days.
- There are media-free afternoons and family days at the weekend with sports and leisure activities or in nature.
- Participation in competitions, orders or downloads of (paid) content does not take place without consultation with parents .
- Participation is only permitted in verified and age-appropriate chats that have been agreed with parents .
- Personal data such as passwords are not passed on and no sensitive data is published online (address, telephone number, etc.). Mobile phones are not taken to the table during meals.
- Share your own and other people's content, especially photos and videos, carefully and only with people you trust if possible.
How do you stay in dialog with your child?
Even if your child is already online independently, keep an eye on their activities and talk about what is happening on TikTok, YouTube or WhatsApp, for example. Make your child aware of false reports, border violations or discrimination online and make it clear that assaults, hatred and hate speech are punishable by law.
And last but not least: You are a role model yourself! Model the media behavior you would like to see in your children and stay informed about technical, content and media developments - the following link tips will help you.
Further information Links to read more
