How does my child learn media literacy?

Hardly any buzzword is mentioned as often in discussions about parenting and education as media literacy. In an increasingly media-driven everyday life, children should learn to use media offerings independently, critically, and responsibly. But how do you develop media literacy in children? And how can I avoid the daily arguments about phone, television, and internet use?

What is media literacy?

The term media literacy emerged in the 1990s. That's not surprising when you consider that around that time mobile phones and the Internet began their rise. Media literacy does not refer exclusively to digital media. The term generally denotes the ability to to use media in a needs-oriented and competent way. This includes books, newspapers, and radio, and at least in this respect media literacy has been taught in schools for generations.

The Internet as a new focus of media literacy

The Internet poses new challenges for parents and educators: How should children use a medium competently, which is constantly available, practically infinite, and almost uncontrollable? Clear agreements and openness play an important role here – read more here about how you can teach children media literacy.

The fascination of television: How to avoid arguments about TV time

Who hasn't once switched off the television abruptly and sent the sulking child to bed? Or faced the tantrum that inevitably follows the interruption of a favorite show?Television fascinates childrenand is the trigger for countless discussions in everyday family life.

From what age is television okay for children?Since the Internet and television are now consumed almost equally, there are hardly any recommendations left for the right age to watch TV. Experts advise that children should start using screens no earlier than two years of age. Most toddler programs on television are understood by children from about three years old.

How long are children allowed to watch television?These figures are, even in the age of the Internet, only rough guidelines. In general, preschool children should sit in front of a screen for a maximum of half an hour a day. Primary school children from about age eight around 45 minutes, and children from ten about an hour a day. Read here for more detailed information on how long children should watch TV.

TV rules help avoid arguments:If there are fixed rules for television consumption, the potential for conflict in the family is much lower. In addition to TV duration, this can include specific TV times, for example if a family member wants to watch their favorite program without there being an argument over the schedule.

Smartphone generation - children and mobile phones

Children growing up today have smartphones all around them: Parents, educators and older siblings use their phones constantly, and many children can use a touchscreen before they speak their first word. While there is still a long way to the first own phone, the debate about mobile phonesbegins increasingly earlier in many families. And parents are often torn between "Is that really necessary?" and "Isn't it safer if my child has a phone with them?"

5 tips for the first mobile phone

1. No earlier than primary school age:Many third- and fourth-graders already have a mobile phone, but it is not really necessary yet.

2. Smartphone from around age 12:From this age children can use a smartphone responsibly. A smartphone is also becoming increasingly important for children's social relationships.

3. Start with a used one:Give your child your old smartphone; it saves money and you know all the important features.

4. Enable safety settings:Almost all operating systems offer parental control settings. Enable these and, if necessary, install child-friendly search engines, etc.

5. Show interest:Try, even if you have little interest in smartphone trends, to stay up to date. That way you can more easily oversee how your child uses the smartphone.

Tablets - support or overload?

Tablets seem to many parents to be the ideal interactive toy for children:

• Even toddlers are engrossed by them and display astonishing dexterity. The portability of tablets, the intuitive operation via touchscreen or voice recognition and not least the steadily growing selection of children's movies, music, and interactive learning gamesare equally tempting for children and parents: after all, parents often use the tablet as a temporary "babysitter" when they want to make a phone call in peace or quickly take a shower.

A tablet of their own?

• Many primary school children use a tablet at home for homework or entertainment. A tablet of their own is not strictly necessary at this age and would also make it increasingly difficult for parents to monitor usage.

Tablets are everyday objects in many families:

• Children's curiosity about tablets is therefore unsurprising. On the one hand they see them daily with parents or siblings, on the other hand children are fascinated by anything that can reproduce sounds, music and images. With a tablet they can even actively control these contents. This quickly makes tablets a favorite toy.

Do not leave children alone with the tablet:

• Neither tablet nor smartphone is suitable as a "babysitter." There's nothing wrong with letting a child play with the tablet for a while if they show interest. Adults should however support them in operating it and choosing contentand in this way set a good example for sensible ways and times of use. Read more here about whether tablets are suitable for toddlers.

Tips for media education for children

Be a good role model:

• Use media yourself in a reflective and critical way so your child can learn from you.

Talk about media:

• Talk to your child not just about how to operate media devices and media content, but also explain the dangers that exist, for example, on the Internet.

Clear agreements:

• Establish fixed rules about which media may be used when and for how long - if necessary with a written family agreement.

Be prepared for resistance:

• You will have to live with occasional discussions and frustration, as with other parenting processes.

Media do not replace family time:

• It is tempting to allow children more TV and Internet when you have little time for them. Try to find other activities for your child so that media do not become a substitute for family time.

Media education - mostly at home

Children learn the how to handle media mostly from their parents and siblings. Internet, computer games, films and music are all around them and are not perceived as "media" but as a natural part of everyday life. That's why it is so important that parents and other caregivers also use media consciously and sensibly: parents who are occupied with their phone at dinner or who constantly have the television running in the background can hardly expect their children to voluntarily limit their to voluntarily limit their media consumption.

Image credits

Boy and girl lie on the couch and play on a laptop. © LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS - stock.adobe.com

Boy lies on the floor and plays with a mobile phone. © Alena Ozerova - stock.adobe.com

Boy lies on the couch and watches a movie on a laptop. © Pixel-Shot - stock.adobe.com

Mom sits on the couch with a laptop and children are climbing around on it. © opolja - stock.adobe.com

Father and daughter sit at the laptop. © JenkoAtaman - stock.adobe.com