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Children and The Media: Valuable Tips For Getting Started at a Young Age

Children come into contact with digital media earlier and earlier in their everyday lives. As a parent, it is important to encourage responsible parenting.

The digital age: the transformation of the media

The changing times mean that children come into contact with media at an earlier age. On the one hand, this is due to the fact that the family environment usually uses media such as smartphones, tablets or television on a daily basis, but also to the child’s curiosity: children love to observe and try out new things. In addition, the often simple use of the devices by swiping, typing or zooming makes it possible for children to quickly take a liking to them.

So today children grow up “surrounded by technology”; they have usually been in contact with digital media from an early age. The possibilities of modern media are also often used in educational institutions, for example to pass on information material and to use alternative learning methods. In the course of their development, the media world does not appear to be “foreign” to the children, but rather they take it for granted and are enthusiastic about it. This is where it is important to intervene as the child’s authority figure and caregiver: the child should maintain a healthy skepticism about media content and be aware of the dangers.

Characteristics of unhealthy media use

Children’s affinity for digital devices such as computers, smartphones or televisions is often very high. They offer a wide range of sounds, images and videos, which is very popular with children and stimulates the stimuli. The extent to which children are attracted to the media content and how intensely the material affects them varies from child to child: While some children can hardly be influenced, others appear more aggressive, overexcited or listless. This already shows that media not only offer advantages, but can also have disadvantages.

In its 2020 media addiction prevention offensive, the DAK examined the effects and changes in media use and was able to identify six signs of unhealthy media use in the course of the study. These include:

contact behavior. The child or young person avoids family, friends or other social encounters. Social life is severely neglected, so that conversations are seldom or only superficial. The virtual space is considered the only desired contact.
times of use. Internet use is intensifying and the usual leisure activities and contact with reality are shortened accordingly. The reason for this can also be the variety of digital media offers: First watch a film on TV, then play a computer game and keep checking your smartphone.
daily structure. The healthy and regular sleeping rhythm is disturbed. A game is often played or a series watched late into the night, so that the day ends much too late. Fatigue, absence or sluggishness as well as reduced performance can be identified.
Affect. If the child or young person has no access to the Internet, depressive, aggressive or angry reactions appear.
Carelessness. The lack of sleep associated with the previous changes, the isolation from social contacts and reality often means that children and young people can no longer fulfill their tasks and obligations. Even hobbies are neglected or given up entirely.
Self reflection. Affected children and young people often find it difficult to realistically assess their own internet use. They get lost in the media and often don’t even know how much time actually elapses.

Tips for regulated media consumption

Children and young people depend on the help of adults when it comes to healthy media consumption. It is important that you help your child to use digital media consciously. An important point is a regulated usage time, which is based on the age of the children.

Klicksafe, an initiative of the European Union, recommends a usage time of about one hour a day for children from 10 to 13 years old, for 14 to 17 year olds the decision should be made depending on the family and personal situation. Klicksafe also lists the idea of ​​”media vouchers”: The “allowed time” could be transferred to vouchers that the child can freely allocate. These coupons can also be set to a specific device. In this way, the child also learns to deal responsibly with time.

It is advisable to agree on a fixed weekly quota for media use instead of fixed times of the day. This is how screen times are set, but the division is left to the child himself. It can be helpful to set an alarm clock so that the time is really observed and the child gets a feeling for its consumption. Show your child other ways to keep themselves busy: It is often a “reflex” to turn on the television when boredom sets in. For example, you could encourage your child to play an analog game, run around outside, do crafts, draw, or read. To prevent addictive behavior, it can also make sense to take “media-free times”. This means that smartphones, tablets or the television remain switched off during a family outing or at the dining table, for example. It can also be a good idea to avoid media for an hour or two before bed. The important thing is to be a role model. If you use your smartphone continuously, it will also be more difficult for the child to stick to agreed times. So you too should reflect on your media behavior and try to be a good role model for your child.

The type and function of the media are also age-dependent: Take a look! informed about which devices could be useful from what age. Babies react instinctively and mainly to light and sound effects: Independent use of media cannot and should not take place at this age. If a child exceeds the first year of life, it can usually differentiate between “image” and “reality”. The child is able to consciously turn to mobile media; however, the area of ​​experience for children under the age of three should be primarily in the real world. Children between the ages of three and four slowly develop an understanding of symbols and media. Tablets are a great opportunity for children of this age to express themselves creatively, to try out themselves and to perceive new characters in films or series. What is important is the shared use of the media and the regulated period of time. At the age of five to six, children use media as a source of knowledge, as a means of orientation, entertainment and as a toy. Here it is important that you help the child to deal with safe offers and support them if possible. The first “own smartphone”, which many children are pushing for, should only be purchased when the child is able to perceive the dangers of the Internet and knows how to protect itself. This is usually the case from around 12 years of age. Here, too, you should talk to the child about the rules, costs and apps and try out how to deal with the child responsibly.

Child-friendly media offerings

There are numerous media offers that are classified as “sustainable” by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth. In these, children should learn how to use media responsibly; The advantage of the offers is that the parents act as “companions” in the digital world and can therefore offer assistance if questions or uncertainties arise with the child. A first tip is the children’s search engine “Blinde Kuh”. It is a search engine that provides news, hands-on offers, and tips for surfing and games especially for children.

Another recommended offer is the page Klick-Tipps.net. The site offers information on various topics, but also surveys or knowledge tests are offered. All content has been subjected to a pedagogical examination.

Children and young people often show a special interest in computer and console games. Which games are recommended from a pedagogical point of view are summarized in a brochure every year, which can be a useful guide.

You can find other pedagogically valuable and child-friendly sites at Seitenstark e.V. This is a network in which certified children’s sites work together to provide sustainable offers for children.

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health

Too Little Exercise: Are Children and Young People Becoming Sluggish and Fat?

From bed to school and from there in front of the screen: the image of lazy youth is widespread. How dramatic is the situation really? From bed to school and from there in front of the screen: the image of lazy youth is widespread. How dramatic is the situation really?

Mom and Dad’s Fears

Gunar Senf from the Faculty of Education at the University of Leipzig has done a lot of research in this area. The author of the book finds that there are definitely deficits. “Some children move too little and sit too much in front of the computer or smartphone.” Unfortunately, that always has something to do with the fear of the parents. “Many are overly cautious.”

dr Heinz Krombholz, on the other hand, describes the research on mobility in children and adolescents as “confusing”. For the scientific employee at the State Institute for Early Education (IFP) in Munich, one thing is certain: the situation is not as threatening as is often publicized – quite the opposite. “Look around the streets. The children ride bikes, skateboard or balance on the slackline.” Of course there would also be children who move less than others. “But it’s always been there.”

Krombholz also says: Inactivity is often not the problem of the children, but of the parents. The attitude of mother and father shapes the movement behavior of the offspring. And a lack of exercise is often related to the socio-economic conditions in the family.

This is confirmed by Ralf Sygusch from the Institute for Sports Science at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. The fact that children nowadays are just lazy couch potatoes because of media use is “total nonsense”. “Children can do both: run around all day and use their smartphone in the evening.” Sygusch also thinks that the parents are responsible. “You have to set an example.” Too much control and a meticulously planned daily routine tend to be counterproductive. “In principle, however, we are a long way from parents restricting their children’s range of motion.”

Bad feeling

But there seem to be some overly concerned parents. A survey by the opinion research institute YouGov reveals how strongly people think about security. Among other things, half of the 1002 mothers and fathers surveyed stated that they only allowed their offspring to play unsupervised on their own property or in the immediate vicinity. In addition, every second person gets a queasy feeling when the offspring steps outside the door alone.

Some companies are therefore sensing big business: Concerned parents can order the “Where is Lilly” tracking watch for 159 euros, among other things. Originally intended as a tracking device for pets, the inventors have extended the radius of action to include the offspring. The device description provides additional breeding ground for overly cautious parents: “Especially in today’s world, it is important to offer parents and their children security. Who is there when you need to buy something quickly and your child wants to continue playing in the garden?”

Comment by editor Irmtraud Fenn-Nebel: Wrong care – when parents exaggerate

On the one hand, it sounds stereotypical: “Today’s” children are only attached to their smartphones and are becoming short-sighted, addicted, fat, stupid and lazy. On the other hand, digital devices and the Internet are here and “today’s” parents have a hard time finding the right balance in dealing with them. But does that justify a development that can be observed at the same time: What makes them helicopter parents who constantly circle over their dear little ones under the mistaken assumption that they have to bear everything with them?

Yes, viewed objectively, the challenges of the digitized world cannot be compared with what today’s 30-year-olds grew up with. And those who are even older have different experiences. Diverting streams in the forest, watching “Daktari”, schoolbags in the corner at lunchtime and off to wherever. When the conversation turns to “in the past,” the wild dogs of yesteryear outdo each other with tales of great freedom and daring activities.

Why don’t they begrudge their own children that, why don’t they trust them? Flashback: When the child was born, it had cute, healthy feet. How happy you were about your first steps! This went well until the educators remembered their care and deprived the offspring of their mobility. Note: A child must have a smartphone, everyone has one, they just stare at it.

How about if everyone in the class gave up and took a digital break? It would be worth a try. But that doesn’t mean that the child will cycle anywhere in the time gained. It would have to be up the hill! And this traffic! unreasonable. Daddy/Mommy drive. They like to focus their day on child care. Now it sits with its healthy feet in the car, better: helicopter. And in the trap, because some wild dogs from back then simply overdid it in their 180-degree turn.

Comment Peter Groscurth: Upbringing problems? Superfluous discussion!

Listless, overweight children and strident parents who look after their offspring in a rushed and aggressive manner. Pictures as they are currently being used.

Morals seem to be declining. A wise man puts it: “Young people nowadays love luxury. They have bad manners, despise authority, have no respect for older people and gossip about where they should work. Young people no longer get up when older people leave the room They contradict their parents, rant in society, devour sweets at the table, cross their legs and bully their teachers.”

Is it really like that? What. Parents also take care of their children nowadays – and they just buck from time to time. But many see it differently: their own behavior – earlier in puberty – is all too quickly glorified.
There is constant noise and scolding. If children are not interested in sports, our country collapses. If they do without tablets and the like, our business location is threatened with existence as a developing country in the future.
In the 80s there was the supposedly constantly playing video game generation (on the Commodore 64 or Atari). And today? Today she is doing her job well and cheerfully, is efficient and raises her own children.
Why this outcry? Usually hyperactive psychologists or life coaches, who greedily write bitterly angry books and gossip on talk shows… May their works, dust-attracting, be outmoded on the shelves.

By the way, the quote from the clever man is more than 2400 years old and came from the mouth of the philosopher Socrates. Since this misanalysis, the earth has continued to rotate surprisingly cheerfully, including all human generations on it – almost as beautiful as helicopter parents, if they existed.

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Lifestyle

Potty Training and Diaper Weaning in Young Children

Finally, become diaper-free. We’ll tell you when potty training can begin and how to wean yourself off the nappy step by step. Because there are various ways to make it easier for your children to get clean or dry.

When to start potty training?

Potty training is a big topic and you should bring some patience with you. But when is the child ready for the potty? You can usually tell that your child is ready when it has stayed dry for several hours. You should also see if he notices when he needs to go to the bathroom. In addition, the following characteristics indicate that your child is ready for potty training:

  • Your child can sit and walk independently.
  • It begins to understand simple instructions.
  • An increased interest in the toilet.
  • When the upcoming business is announced with words.

Tips on becoming diaper free

We have collected a few tips to ensure that toilet training is stress-free. So you can calmly get your child used to using the potty and soon the topic of diapers and swaddling will be over:

1) Start toilet training slowly

Children react very differently to being dry. Some are interested while others reject the potty. So be patient and start slowly. So introduce your child to the potty, and explain what it is for and how to use it. Then you can put it on with a diaper later without putting it on. You can also take your child’s business to the toilet and show again what it is for.

2) Getting dry with music

If you and your child are struggling with potty training, some music can also help. Because the music can encourage your child to use the potty or the toilet. In addition, you should always show and encourage your child to use the restroom. Then interest grows and steps by step your child becomes diaper-free. Also, read tips on preventing constipation in toddlers.

3) Diaper weaning with the egg timer

Practicing the toilet drain can help with diaper weaning. And with an egg timer. Accordingly, after each large meal, put your child on the potty with an egg timer for about 10 minutes. Then the body should quickly get used to this rhythm. It is helpful to work with a reward: your child can collect points for every poop or pee on the potty. The big deal is worth 3 points, the small deal is worth 1 point and after a certain amount, there is a reward. This makes potty training child’s play. Also, note clever tips for brushing milk teeth and how to wash children’s hair without stress.

Find the right potty

You can buy a suitable potty so that your child enjoys using the potty. Because there is a large selection of toilets for small children on the Internet. These have unusual designs and some also play music.

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