It goes without saying that children grow up with media. They also gather their impressions of the media, above all, in the family, for example, in watching television together or observing their parents on the laptop, tablet-PC and so on. Children follow this behaviour with curiosity and frequently with the desire to make active use of media themselves. The Internet in particular opens many possibilities for them, e.g. through games sites, online offerings from TV stations or information portals for children. Online game offers can stimulate the child‘s fantasy and be a meaningful addition to children’s play, which is very important for their development. Besides the learning processes connected with play, this also involves pleasure, the spirit of discovery and entertainment.

The Internet has a great appeal for children on account of the variety of offerings. Above all, the combination of different kinds of media, for example the matching game combined with a lot of other information around the favourite TV series contributes to this appeal. But in spite of their fearless and interest-led approach, children are still not media and Internet professionals. They must learn to find their way in the diverse world of the media and to find the right offering for the right purpose, to reflect on their own behaviour as a user, to recognize underlying aspects of media-society and politics and also to make productive use of media for themselves. A not altogether simple task, which in addition is constantly changing its nature with rapidly developing media technologies. The general term ”media competence” summarizes this extensive catalogue of tasks.

You as parents can and should help and accompany your child in this learning process. The following tips may be of assistance:

• At the beginning always surf in the Internet together with your child.
• Make use of the sites recommended for children. These can quickly be found using search engines for children.
• Open a user account of their own for your child. In this way, special security settings – e.g. time restrictions – offered by your operating system can also be used.
• Set a children’s site or search engine for children as the starting page in the browser in your child’s user account.
• Make use of suitable parental control software, e.g. those approved by the KJM
• Agree clear rules for using the Internet with your child – in respect of both the period of use and the content to be used. Have regard in this to the development of your child. With increasing age, greater freedom in using the Internet and media use in general should also be agreed.
• With increasing age, the communication aspect will become ever more important. Allow your child to use only moderated chat lines, e.g. the service at www.kindersache.de of the German Children's Aid Society. There are also special e-mail providers for children.
• Always keep up-to-date yourself, to be a competent partner in conversation with your child.
• Talk with your child about their use of the Internet and how they have experienced what they have seen.
• Explain to your child that you do not wish to control or patronise them but to come to an agreement about their use of the Internet.
• Prepare your child for possible dangers in the Internet. In particular, disclosing personal information should be avoided. On this subject there are a number of sites from which your child can gain information in a playful manner.
• Report problematic content relevant to protection of minors to a hotline, e.g. www.internet-beschwerdestelle.de
• Put the computer in a place where you can see it – not in the child’s own room.

Not every child is the same – no more so than is every family. These tips can be understood only as starting points. You yourself know your child best and are able to estimate potential dangers, but also opportunities. For this reason, regular communication and reflection about your child’s use of the Internet is of special significance. In association with the technical possibilities of youth protection, you can, in this way, make use of the Internet productively and above all creatively.