Media education

Digital media have become an integral part of our everyday lives. Children come into contact with them at a very young age. But why exactly is it so important to prepare adolescents for life in a digital world in the best possible way? How can I best protect my child? And where can I get help if I need it? The ZEBRA team (www.fragzebra.de) from the NRW Media Authority answers these and other questions.

Studies¹ show: Most children and young people today grow up with a wide range of digital media, networks and content. They exchange information with friends, find out about world events or new trends and use the internet to express themselves creatively.

With all the advantages and opportunities that digital media open up today, it is important not to lose sight of the risks and dangers and at the same time to educate children and young people to become independent media users.

You shouldn't wait until there is an acute need for action, but instead take a proactive approach to creating a media environment in which your child feels comfortable and can develop and flourish safely.

¹ See, for example, the KIM study by the mpf

The important topics you may encounter in media education range from appropriate and respectful online behaviour to potentially dangerous trends and sexualized violence.

It is practically impossible to prepare a child for every possible dangerous situation. However, with the help of a few basic steps, most risks can already be greatly reduced.

Simple rules can be very effective. For example: "If I don't understand something on the internet, I ask my parents", "Everyone is treated with respect on the internet", or "No contact with strangers". The well-known topic of screen time can also be discussed and regulated together. All agreements can be easily recorded in a media usage agreement.

The most important point for a healthy media education is that you as parents are always available as a contact person and confidant for any concerns or questions about media. The child should be able to turn to you in confidence and without fear of punishment if they have seen something on the internet that they do not yet understand or find disturbing. You should also be available if your child or another child is being bullied online or contacted by strangers.

You can announce conversations about media with your child in advance so that both sides can think about it and prepare. It is important that the exchange takes place at eye level and that everyone involved has their say, be it with concerns, wishes or simple questions. Every comment should be treated with respect and understanding.

Parents also have an influence on their children's behavior outside of conversations about media: they are role models and should therefore always set as good an example as possible in their everyday digital lives.

You can also take the opportunity to show your child content that seems to play a major role in their media use. This shows interest and helps to understand and talk about the child's media use.

It is also important that a discussion about your child's media use does not remain a one-off conversation, but takes place regularly. After all, it's not just children who develop quickly, but also the media world and their lives in it.