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Even the youngest children experience digital media - whether it's listening to nursery rhymes, looking at family photos on their smartphone or watching a video with older siblings. But how much screen time is actually appropriate for children between the ages of 1 and 3 - and what content is really age-appropriate? At this age, children primarily want to discover, play and feel safe in their own little world. Digital media can play a complementary role here - but only if they are consciously selected, used together and integrated into everyday life in good measure. Many parents are unsure how to organize their child's first contact with media. On this topic page, you will find answers to key questions, practical tips and ideas for everyday life that will help you to guide your toddler's media use well.Find out here how you can introduce your child to media step by step, what significance your own media use has and how you can integrate digital content in an age-appropriate, mindful and family-friendly way - for a healthy start to the media world.

Fathers' Summit 2025: information, exchange and fun for fathers, children and professionals

What you need to know to plan your parental allowance well

The years between 16 and 18 are a time of transition and self-discovery. Teenagers become young adults and use digital media to inform themselves, entertain themselves and communicate with their peers. They are often confronted with issues such as ideals of beauty, cybergrooming and media addiction. At this stage of life, it is particularly important that young people learn to critically scrutinize media and not allow themselves to be influenced by unrealistic ideals. In-depth media education plays a key role here, as it helps young adolescents to develop a healthy self-image and to shape their media use in a conscious and reflective manner. As parents, you can provide crucial support during this time by talking openly about the challenges of the digital world and developing strategies together with your child to deal with them. Here you will find valuable suggestions and tips from everyday family life on how to accompany your child on the way to a self-determined and responsible approach to media. Together, you can ensure that your child navigates the digital world safely and finds a healthy balance between online and offline life.

Coming to terms with the grief of loss

New rules have been in force since June 1, 2025: After a miscarriage, employed women can decide for themselves from the 13th week whether or not to take a protection period.

If you look after your child after the birth, the parental allowance compensates for part of the loss of income.

Financial support for education and participation in social and cultural life: all information at a glance

Media also play a central role in the everyday lives of young adults aged 18 and over - whether for information, entertainment or communication. However, the risks of the digital media world, such as media addiction, remain relevant for this age group too. As parents, you can continue to play an important role by engaging in an open and equal exchange with your adult child. Show an interest in their media habits and stay in touch about current issues. By engaging in a respectful dialog as equals, in which there is also room for critical discussions, you can help to promote conscious and healthy media use. In this section, you will find numerous suggestions and tips on how young adults can further develop their media skills and arm themselves against negative influences from the digital world. Both parents and young adults can find valuable support here to help them use media consciously and responsibly during this important phase of their lives.

How are families in North Rhine-Westphalia doing? What concerns them in everyday life? And what support would they like? These are precisely the questions addressed by Familiendialog.NRW - an open discussion format in which families can enter into an exchange with the state government.The format, organized by the Ministry of Family Affairs of North Rhine-Westphalia, is closely linked to the Familienbericht.NRW. The reporting is accompanied by dialog events with families in all their diversity. These offer space for exchange, questions and new perspectives. They make visible what moves families - and make it possible to further develop family policy measures in a tailored and effective manner. The experiences, wishes and feedback of the participants are incorporated into the report, which is planned for 2026. The dialog focuses on the different needs of families in NRW: rainbow or foster family - every perspective counts. At the Family Dialogue, concerns are heard and topics are explored in depth together. The events offer space for encounters and participation. The focus is on specific questions: What is going well? Where do we need to change? Which offers help in everyday life - and which are still missing? The aim is to work together to create momentum for a more family-friendly future.Find out more about Familiendialog.NRW, current topics, event formats and opportunities for participation on this page.