Enkeln Medienkompetenz vermitteln

Media literacy encompasses various skills: the technical use of devices, understanding media content, critical evaluation of information, and creative creation of own content. It is about children learning to use media as a tool that helps them learn, communicate, and express themselves without losing control or putting themselves in danger.

As grandparents, you can show your grandchildren that media are part of life but do not have to make up the whole life. You can help them find a healthy balance between using digital media and other activities such as playing outdoors, reading, or spending time with family. This balance is important so your grandchildren can lead a fulfilling life in which media play a positive role.

Children who develop media literacy early are better prepared to live in a digital world. They learn to find and evaluate information, move safely on the internet, and use media creatively. These skills are becoming increasingly important in school, work, and everyday life. As grandparents, you can help your grandchildren develop these competencies so they can go through life successfully and safely.

Media literacy also helps children protect themselves from dangers on the internet. When your grandchildren learn which information they should share and which not, how to recognize suspicious messages, and how to get help when problems arise, they are better protected. Through your support, you can help your grandchildren deal with digital media confidently and safely so they can use the benefits without being exposed to risks.

Take time to explore apps and games together with your grandchildren. Let them show you what interests them and try new apps together. If you have questions or do not understand something, ask your grandchildren – they will be happy to explain and appreciate your interest. This shared exploration helps not only your grandchildren but also you to better understand the digital world.

Use this shared time to talk about the apps and games. Ask what interests your grandchildren, what they can learn, and if there is anything that worries them. Show interest in their experiences and share your own thoughts. When you are open and curious, you create an atmosphere where your grandchildren enjoy talking about media and asking questions.

When you watch videos together, read news, or play games, use the opportunity to talk about the content. Ask your grandchildren what they think, if they understood something, or if they have questions. Explain if something is unclear and share your own thoughts and experiences. These conversations help your grandchildren better understand and critically question media content.

It is important that you are not lecturing but curious and open. Listen to what your grandchildren have to say and show that their opinion matters. When you talk about media together, your grandchildren learn that it is normal to ask questions and think about media content. This ability to think critically and question is an important part of media literacy.

Together with the parents, you can determine how long your grandchildren may use media. For younger children, shorter times are appropriate, while older children can have more time. It is important that media time is not too long and that there is enough time for other activities. As grandparents, you can help ensure that these times are observed, and you can also offer alternatives when media time is over.

Use timers or apps that help limit media time. Explain to your grandchildren why it is important to take breaks and do other things. Show that media are part of life but do not have to make up the whole life. When you offer other activities together – such as walks, crafting, or games – you help your grandchildren find a healthy balance.

Help ensure that your grandchildren use age-appropriate content. For younger children, simple learning apps, child-friendly videos, or games without violence or frightening content are appropriate. For older children, more complex content may be considered, but here too you should ensure that the content is appropriate. As grandparents, you can think together with the parents about which apps, games, or videos are suitable for your grandchildren.

Use age ratings and reviews to find appropriate content. Many apps and games have age recommendations that can help you make the right choice. Also talk to other grandparents or parents to get recommendations. If you are unsure whether something is appropriate, look at it yourself first or ask your grandchildren's parents. It is better to be cautious than for your grandchildren to be confronted with inappropriate content.

Explain to your grandchildren that personal information such as name, address, phone number, or photos should not be shared with strangers. Show how to adjust privacy settings in apps and social media so that only friends and family can see the content. Explain that once shared information is difficult to remove and that it is important to be careful about what you share online.

As grandparents, you can also be a role model by showing how to handle personal information responsibly. Do not share too many personal details online and explain to your grandchildren why you do not share certain things. When you show that data protection is important, your grandchildren learn that their privacy is also valuable and should be protected.

Explain to your grandchildren that they should not talk to strangers on the internet, just like in real life. Show how to recognize suspicious messages – for example, if someone asks for personal information, if someone is too friendly or intrusive, or if something sounds too good to be true. Explain that it is important not to answer such messages and that they should let you or the parents know if they see something suspicious.

Make it clear to your grandchildren that they should never meet alone with someone they only know from the internet and that they should always inform an adult if someone asks them to meet. Explain that it is okay to say no and that they should not be ashamed if they need help. When your grandchildren know how to behave, they are better protected from dangers on the internet.

Explain to your grandchildren that not everything on the internet is true. Show how to recognize fake news – for example, if the headline is very sensational, if the source is unknown, or if the story sounds too incredible. Explain that it is important to check multiple sources and not believe everything you see at first glance.

Use examples from everyday life to show how to recognize fake news. When you read news together, you can ask: "Where does this information come from? Who wrote it? Are there other sources that confirm this?" When you think about such questions together, your grandchildren learn to think critically and not believe everything they see.

Show your grandchildren how to check sources and how to recognize if a source is trustworthy. Explain that serious news sources verify their information and that they are transparent about their sources. Show how to compare multiple sources and how to recognize if information is consistent or if there are contradictions.

As grandparents, you can also share your own experiences. Explain how you used to find information – for example, in books or newspapers – and how that has changed today. Show that it is important to verify information, no matter where it comes from. When you check sources together, your grandchildren learn that it is important to think critically and not believe everything you hear or see.

Encourage your grandchildren to create their own content – for example, videos, photos, stories, or podcasts. Help when technical questions arise and show interest in their projects. When your grandchildren see that you support their creative ideas, they are encouraged to continue and try new things. This creative use of media helps your grandchildren not only understand media better but also express their own ideas.

Use these creative projects to talk about media literacy. When your grandchildren create their own content, you can help them learn how to handle content responsibly – for example, that you respect the rights of others, that you should not share everything, and that you can respond to feedback. These learning experiences are valuable and help your grandchildren become responsible media users.

For older grandchildren, it can be interesting to learn programming. There are many apps and websites that help children and teenagers learn programming in a playful way. As grandparents, you can support your grandchildren in developing this skill, which is not only important for the future but also helps understand how digital technologies work.

Show interest in your grandchildren's programming projects and help when questions arise. Even if you cannot program yourself, you can encourage and support your grandchildren. Perhaps you can start a project together or learn about programming together. This shared exploration can be a nice opportunity to spend time with your grandchildren and learn together.