Children in the world of news

From a very early age, children learn about what is happening in the world - whether we like it or not. Parents are happy to share positive events with their children. But what happens when questions arise about attacks, accidents and war ?

Suddenly it happens: your child discovers a picture of war in the newspaper and asks questions. What now? Firstly, parents should know the news and the background themselves. Because you can only explain what you have understood yourself. Parents should have their own fears under control in order to stay close to the truth without unsettling them. Because children have a keen sense for fears.

Newspaper reading needs to be learnt

Children are interested in the world. Utilise this curiosity - it is a step towards becoming a media-competent teenager. Many young people find it difficult to read newspapers because they have too little background knowledge. The result: young people find news boring.
What's more, they often don't know how a newspaper is made. Questions arise such as: What is the difference between a news item and a commentary? How does the content get into the newspaper? So reading newspapers needs to be learnt.
Children's news is a good way to introduce children to the world of news. Parents can use them to give their children the knowledge they need at an early age to be able to read newspapers competently later on. Children's news is written in a simpler way and provides background knowledge. Nevertheless, news for children should be similar to that for adults in terms of content and structure: the news is at the beginning, with the less important items following at the end.

Suitable programmes and channels

Children's news is available in various forms: As television reports, audio programmes, newspaper pages or even as an app. A small selection:

  •  «Neuneinhalb» (kika.de/neuneinhalb) ist eine Reportersendung, die gesellschaftspolitische Themen in neuneinhalb Minuten erklärt. Samstags um 8.25 Uhr bei ARD, sonntags um 8.50 Uhr auf KiKa oder jederzeit im Netz.
  • Die Fernsehsendung «logo!» (logo.de) des ZDF berichtet über politische Themen – mit Zusammenhängen und Hintergründen. Täglich um 19.50 Uhr auf KiKa oder jederzeit im Netz.
  • Arte Journal Junior (arte.tv/junior) sind die Morgennachrichten um 7.35 Uhr im Fernsehen für Kinder von 10 bis 14. Nicht die beste Uhrzeit, um fernzusehen. Darum besser alternativ am Vorabend im Netz ansehen.
  • Die Radiosendung «Zambo» (srfzambo.ch) wird täglich von 19 bis 20 Uhr auf Radio SRF 1 ausgestrahlt. Online kommen weitere Beiträge hinzu.
  • Das(Print-)Magazin GEOlino für Kinder ab 8 Jahren enthält Beiträge zu Natur, Tieren, Technik, Geschichte und Kindern in fremden Ländern. ZEIT Leo enthält die Rubriken «erleben», «verstehen» und «was tun».
  • Die Macher der App «Quappiz» (für Android-Handys) schreiben über Nachrichten aus Radio, Fernsehen und Zeitungen so, dass Kinder und Jugendliche es verstehen. Und im Archiv bleiben die Beiträge erhalten.
Michael In Albon ist Beauftragter Jugendmedienschutz und Experte Medienkompetenz von Swisscom.
Michael In Albon is a youth media protection officer and media literacy expert at Swisscom.

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On Medienstark you will find tips and interactive learning modules for the competent use of digital media
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