12 tips for good media education

1. check your own screen time

Regularly check your own media consumption. In the settings of the vast majority of smartphones, you can analyse your screen time and limit it if necessary.

2. critically scrutinise

Anyone who knows their smartphone/tablet consumption can ask themselves: Is this right for me? For example, do I really want to spend 90 minutes a day on Instagram?

3. limit consumption

Use screen media mainly for creative and productive tasks: Research, writing, photography and filming. Limit the amount of time spent purely on consumption.

4. remain consistent

Be consistent: If you have decided to put your smartphone away after five minutes or after a certain task, do it. Especially if you have communicated your decision to your child or partner.

5. enjoy other things

Demonstrate conscious enjoyment away from the screen to those around you: family conversations, nature experiences, eating, reading on paper, creative activities or enjoying music away from the screen.

6. communicate clearly

Explain to your child why you are using the smartphone and make sure you put it away again when you have finished.

When the time comes to leave - remain consistent. Put up with your child's protests.

7. define area

Decide which programmes your child is allowed to watch and which not. Talk to them about what they have seen to find out how they process stories.

8. keep an eye on

Observe your child! Does it seem passive? Aggressive? Are they adopting behaviour that they have seen in the media? If so, talk to them about it and reduce their screen time accordingly.

9. find a good exit point

If you want your son or daughter to switch off the screen, then build a bridge. Sit next to the child and ask them to explain what they are doing. Then decide together when a good exit point is - for example, at the end of a video or after reaching a certain level.

10. endure resistance

When the time comes to leave - remain consistent. Put up with your child's protests. This consistency is important so that your child learns to endure their cravings.

11. play along

If you also have older children living in your household: Let your teenager regularly tell you what they are experiencing online, what they like to watch or play and what fascinates them about it. Let them show you the latest app and the latest game. Play along. It's much easier to accept a no if your teenager doesn't have the feeling that you «have no idea anyway».

12. share experiences

Talk to your child about your own media experiences - both positive and negative. The horror film that kept you awake for a long time. The chat with the stranger that suddenly went in an unpleasant direction. The hours you lost yourself on Facebook. If your child realises that you have also made mistakes with media use, it will be easier to talk about your own bad experiences.