Regulated use of digital media

klicksafe supports you in guiding your child in the use of digital media. The goal is a safe, fair and self-determined use of the Internet, digital games, smartphones and apps.

Media education succeeds when parents and children discover the Internet together. You know your child best. Be there when your child conquers digital spaces and try out sensible behavior together to counter risks. Pave the way for creative use of new ways of expression.

As with all parenting topics, mutual trust is also a good basis when it comes to media.

Counter question: When do you send your child shopping or to the playground alone? Probably when your child feels safe in such situations. When you have practiced with him the right behavior in traffic or prepared him for dealing with other people.

It is also necessary to make such decisions when it comes to media education. Do you want to introduce your child specifically to the Internet or wait until he or she expresses interest? You should not leave your child alone when exploring the Internet. This is the only way to minimize exposure to inappropriate or harmful content. That's why your child depends on your help and support. If you accompany your child when he or she goes online, you can create a solid basis for good media education with clear rules and regular discussions about media content.

The older children get, the more their lives take place online - especially on smartphones. Children can also come across content that is not age-appropriate or even harmful to minors. Parents need to stay on top of things and build up a basis of trust when dealing with the internet. Online use also reflects many puberty issues, so dealing with the topic of the Internet also means dealing with key issues for adolescents.

Once children have learned to use the internet relatively safely and responsibly, the "surfing leash" can be loosened further. From what age a child actually surfs alone on a computer, tablet or smartphone and to what extent Internet use is accompanied by filtering or parental control programs is up to you as parents.

However, as children get older, it becomes increasingly difficult to fully control their surfing behavior. In addition, there are currently no cross-device filter and parental control programs that work simultaneously on computers, games consoles, smartphones and tablets. This means that in many cases, different settings and programs have to be used depending on the device.

Our guides, brochures and family checklists will help you guide your child on the path to independent and responsible Internet use.

A media usage contract and media vouchers can help to establish binding and clear rules and illustrate media time for children.

Media vouchers are a good way to illustrate time, especially for younger children. But they also help families to keep to time agreements and help children to independently allocate the "allowed" time appropriately. In this way, children gradually take on more responsibility when it comes to media use.

Appropriate times for certain devices/media can be entered on media vouchers depending on the age and experience of the child. Younger children who are not yet literate can, with the support of their parents, draw a time period in the blank clock, e.g., 30 minutes. The child turns in these vouchers to the parents when he or she wants to use the corresponding devices/media. 

Since younger children usually do not have a good overview of a whole week in terms of time, the vouchers should not initially be given out on a weekly basis. It makes more sense to distribute one or two vouchers every day. The voucher can also be designed by the children themselves - for example, with their favorite media hero or heroine.

In this way, children learn to decide for themselves how they want to use their (valuable) vouchers. However, they should still check whether the desired games/movies/videos are appropriate for their child's age and developmental stage. The agreed media times should be checked regularly and adjusted if necessary.

For children of primary school age, a manageable range of websites, apps and good online games is sufficient. These can be accessed by the child again and again. The following points will help you assess whether an Internet offering is suitable for children.

A child-friendly app or website...

• ...is free of violence and only presents content that is appropriate for the child's age.
• ...has a simple structure, is easy to use and uses a child-friendly approach.
• ...stimulates your child's imagination and curiosity.
• ...encourages your child to engage offline.
• ...refrains from advertising and links to social networks, advertising sites, app stores or other offers that are not suitable for children.
• ...does not offer the possibility to buy paid extensions.
• ...is best used without an Internet connection .
• ...does not ask for personal data and does not demand excessive permissions.