Fewer and fewer websites suitable for childrenEvery second child uses the fragFINN.de search engine

In a digital world, children are confronted with problematic content at an ever earlier age. Therefore, protection on the Internet is more important than ever. The good news: fragFINN.de, Germany's leading non-commercial children's search engine, is becoming increasingly well-known and popular with children and parents. At the same time, however, the industry is facing a worrying development: the number of safe, child-friendly websites is falling continuously.

Every second child uses the fragFINN.de search engine

As a safe surfing space for adolescents aged 6 to 12, the fragFINN.de search engine offers a wide range of safe websites for children. A recent representative survey shows that two out of three families know fragFINN.de (61% of children and 63% of parents).

fragFINN.de records around 500,000 visitors per month on the web and in the app - a significant increase compared to 350,000 in 2020. fragFINN.de receives up to 2.7 million search queries per month. The current representative survey also shows a high level of use by over 50% of children.

In addition to use at home (75%), the children's search engine is being used more frequently in a school context. 60% of the children surveyed stated that they use fragFINN.de in class. This means that fragFINN.de makes a significant contribution to digital education and the protection of children.

Digital safe spaces are shrinking despite increasing demand

Despite these successes, the number of child-friendly websites is steadily decreasing. The fragFINN.de search engine is based on a positive list of currently over 3,400 safe websites that are continuously updated by media education specialists. However, the fragFINN e.V. team can find fewer and fewer offers specifically for children. While the positive list still included around 430 children's websites in 2020, there are currently only just over 350.

So while the demand for safe and child-friendly content is increasing, the number of available child-friendly websites is falling at the same time. According to fragFINN e.V., this increases the risk of children using unsuitable content and social media platforms at an ever earlier age.

Working together for a child-friendly digital future

Around one in ten children has already been confronted with problematic content on the internet (see KIM Study 2022 and 2024). In a world in which disinformation, deep fakes, AI and online violence unsettle children and overwhelm parents and educational professionals, suitable children's services and the promotion of media education are essential. According to fragFINN e.V., this requires political decision-makers to recognize the relevance and companies to take responsibility. Companies and foundations can also actively support the association through funding, memberships or sponsorships.

Last year, the Digital Opportunities Foundation investigated the current state of the German children's website landscape and what measures could bring about improvement. The results of the study, which was commissioned by the Federal Agency for Child and Youth Media Protection, were published in the final report "Online offerings suitable for children" published.

Further information about fragFINN e.V. can be found on the association's website. There you can also check URLs and suggest new children's websites. fragFINN is also available as an app.