Recognizing cybergrooming: New teaching material

In social networks, chats and online games, children often come into contact with strangers - not without risk. They should therefore be made aware of the dangers at an early stage and instructed in safety-conscious surfing behaviour. The NRW Ministry for Schools and Education and the NRW Media Authority have published new teaching material on protecting children from cybergrooming.

Recognizing cybergrooming: New teaching material
www.medienanstalt-nrw.de/themen/cybergrooming.html

Sexual assault is one of the most serious dangers for children on the Internet. Unlike in the offline world, it is not always clear in chat portals or social networks who is hiding behind a profile. According to the 2019 EU-Kids online survey, one in three girls and one in four boys surveyed have already been confronted with intimate, suggestive questions online. From 2018 to 2019, cybergrooming cases in Germany that were forwarded by the police to the public prosecutor's office increased  by 34% to around 3300. The dark field is probably higher, as the willingness to report is low.

In its practical information on cybergrooming , jugendschutz.net summarizes the current findings and provides tips on how to behave correctly. Among other things, it emphasizes that

  • early media education,
  • an open exchange about media use, and
  • the willingness to be available as a trustworthy contact person

are good prerequisites for sensitizing children to the dangers of the Internet and teaching them how to use it in a safety-conscious manner.

New teaching material for the prevention of sexual harassment on the Internet

The new teaching material from the North Rhine-Westphalia Media Authority (Landesanstalt für Medien NRW) and the North Rhine-Westphalia Ministry for Schools and Education aims to sensitize students to the topic of cybergrooming. In addition, they are to be familiarized with the most important safety rules in chats and social networks. The core of this offering is an approximately 10-minute video that can be accessed via the website of the NRW Media Authority. Based on the NRW media competence framework, the accompanying materials are geared toward grades 5 to 8 and can also be used by the NRW media scouts.

Further information & Materials on the topic of cybergrooming