News Overview 2023

Are you interested in the safety of children and young people on the Internet? Would you like to know how we can support adolescents in dealing competently with media? Or are you professionally active in the field of media education? Then subscribe to our klicksafe newsletter. In it you will find the latest information from the digital media world, tips on new klicksafe publications, interesting events and much more.

Not least since the publication of the text program ChatGPT, the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) has fascinated many users. Since then, one increasingly stumbles over technical terms such as algorithms, machine learning or neural networks. What these terms mean exactly and how AI actually works is not entirely clear to many of us. And that can also fuel fears and concerns about the new technology. That's why the Center for Trusted Artificial Intelligence (ZVKI) has published a quiz that allows you to test and expand your knowledge on the topic of AI.

There's no getting around ChatGPT and the like at the moment. People everywhere are thinking about the impact artificial intelligence (AI) will have on our society. AI has also been used in social networks for some time now. Despite all the enthusiasm for technological progress, the risks of AI also need to be discussed. In this article, we summarize where artificial intelligence is being used in social networks and whether it is problematic for children and young people.

The Easter weekend and Lent are behind us. Over the past seven weeks, we have launched our Digital Detox Challenge to encourage a more conscious approach to media. Read this article to find out how the campaign went and how you can continue to take part.

Children and young people are already using streaming services independently via their own devices and profiles - especially during the vacations. However, they can quickly come into contact with unsuitable content. In our updated guide, we show how parents can safely set the various apps for their children.

Together with Nummer gegen Kummer e.V., the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth has designed a school box. It is intended to raise awareness among children and young people of the counseling services offered by Nummer gegen Kummer. The school box contains information materials (flyers, posters, info cards, stickers) on the counseling services offered by Nummer gegen Kummer. Teachers also receive suggestions on how to address concerns and problems in the classroom.

The distribution of pornographic images and videos, including child and youth pornographic content, via chats is an ongoing problem. According to the Federal Criminal Police Office, children and young people share such content on WhatsApp and Co. without being aware of the criminal liability. klicksafe provides information on how you can educate and protect children and young people.

klicksafe repeatedly receives inquiries about the minimum age. Many parents and educators now know that the popular apps are only permitted from the age of 13, 16 or 18. The different age limits are confusing, as is the fact that many children and young people still use these apps. We explain why providers like TikTok, Snapchat and Spotify set a minimum age. And why the minimum age does not indicate when children should start using these services.

Websites specifically for children are important. They offer adolescents a safe environment for their first steps on the web. Seitenstark e.V. is committed to such child-friendly digital offerings. The SEITENSTARK-GÜTESIEGEL stands for high-quality content and a safe online world for children. Websites can apply for the SEITENSTARK-GÜTESIEGEL until April 20, 2023.

Around 17% of children and young people in Germany have already experienced cyberbullying. klicksafe provides information on how parents and educators can support those affected and what preventive measures can help.

In many German states, there are action days or entire action weeks to promote media literacy. There, citizens can learn more about how to deal with media and get helpful information. klicksafe provides an overview of the offerings in 2023.

The card game "Responding Strategically" from medien+bildung.com is aimed at young people aged 12 to 18. The game helps to recognize different forms of sexist hate speech. Young people also learn which gender stereotypes and prejudices play a role in the construction of language. In addition, "Respond Strategically" shows ways to respond to hate speech. The card game can be ordered free of charge and used in the classroom or in independent youth work.

The joint longitudinal study by DAK-Gesundheit and the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) finds that media addiction among children and young people has doubled during the pandemic. More than six percent of minors are now addicted to computer games and social media. This means that more than 600,000 children and young people show pathological usage behavior. Media usage times have also increased by a third since 2019.

The new fact-checking platform German-Austrian Digital Media Observatory (GADMO) was launched at the end of February 2023. It is designed to help citizens more easily identify false claims circulating on the Internet. The EU-funded initiative is the largest cooperation in Germany and Austria in the field of disinformation to date.

Social media services offer children and young people the opportunity to present themselves. Via stories and livestreams on Instagram or TikTok, they give other users insights into their lives. A recent research by jugendschutz.net shows: Minors are repeatedly confronted with sexually harassing communication.