In Germany, there is a broad variety of content, websites, apps, and games for children as well as search engines and platforms that present specific subjects for children and lead them to positive content. There are numerous public-law, commercial and non-profit providers, as well as various smaller private initiatives and individual engagement. In total, this leads to a broad spectrum of thematically diverse offerings for children. Several search engines and portals for children lead to positive content and are landmarks within the diverse and comprehensive landscape of positive online content for children. The fragFINN whitelist, for examples, lists about 600 websites offering content specifically for children.
A further characteristic of the positive content landscape in Germany is the public (financial) promotion of online content for children. Many ideas, especially from "grassroots initiatives", can only be realised and brought into life through initiatives such as "A Net for Children" (Ein Netz für Kinder), funded by the Federal Government.
Nevertheless, content providers in this broad and colourful landscape are still confronted with a number of challenges. Not only does content need regular updating, but also financing of online content, especially in the long run, remains a problem. Additionally, as internet use shifts more and more towards mobile use, also for children, this brings new and more challenges regarding technical implementation and adaptation of content and services.
Since May 2018 the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has been in force throughout Europe. Providers of online content for children in particular have been uncertain about the GDPR and their duties on how to implement the requirements in a legally compliant manner and at the same time achieve the best possible awareness among their target groups (children, young people, parents and media education specialists). FSM, the German Association for Voluntary Self-Regulation of Digital Media service providers, together with fragFINN e.V., Hans Bredow Institute for Media Research and Seitenstark e.V. has developed the digital checklist and handbook "Children's websites and GDPR: This works well!" as a low-threshold information material for providers of positive online content for children. The brochure (in German) is aimed in particular at providers of online content for children, such as websites, apps and other digital offerings. As non-profit or publicly funded initiatives, they are especially dependent on freely accessible information material. The material is published and available under a creative commons license (CC-BY-SA 4.0 (DE) ) and can be translated into other languages. The project has been funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM) in Germany.
For more information on positive content approaches in Germany, please contact the German Safer Internet Centre (SIC) in the first instance - find contact details and further information here.
This website was created as a transmedial product from a documentary film series about children and their everyday life in different countries all over the world. The stories and experiences of t ...
This interactive website is provided by the Protestant Church for children in primary school. The children get to know the rooms and objects of a church in a playful way. The magpie named Kira ac ...
By Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria and Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hanover
The aim of this website is to explain environmental issues to children and to raise their interest for environmental protection, nature and life on earth in an age-appropriate way. The online mag ...
By Hessian Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Agriculture and Consumer Protection
This colourful app aims at raising the interest of children in art and their artists. The mystical creature Flux guides kids through the app introduces well-known pieces of art and painters. This ...
By Städelsches Kunstinstitut und Städtische Galerie
The KiKANiNCHEN-App is a product of KiKA, which is a free and public TV-channel explicitly addressing kids at the age of 3-13. The app wants to encourage youngest internet users to engage with th ...
Age range: < 3 years of age, 3-6 years of age, 6-8 years of age, 8-10 years of age, 10-12 years of age
ZDF-tivi-App is a free, public and non-commercial television program specifically address-ing kids at the age of 3-13. The app offers series, broadcasts and videos which are very popular amongst ch ...
Age range: 3-6 years of age, 6-8 years of age, 8-10 years of age, 10-12 years of age
KiKA (the children's channel of ARD and ZDF) is a free, public, non-commercial television channel which stands for tolerance and friendship, thus promoting social skills and the development of a ...
