The Pro Juventute Foundation has compiled a range of recommendations – some of which differ significantly – on media usage times from organisations such as the WHO, Klicksafe and «Schau hin!», as well as from advice guides and online platforms.
The relevant website also includes an explanation of the 3-6-9-12 rule. This moves away from strict time limits and instead focuses on how parents can best guide their children's media use at different ages. The overview can be found here.
With the Helmit app, an AI monitors a child's chats on their mobile phone and sends parents a warning on their mobile if dangerous keywords are detected or if sensitive data is disclosed. Although you haven't seen the content yourself, you know that it might be worth having a chat with your child.
Links and information
There is a wealth of recommended websites that provide parents, teenagers and children with valuable advice on media consumption.
- jugendundmedien.ch
The jugendundmedien.ch website brings together all the key information about mobile phones – organised both by topic, such as pornography, sexting and artificial intelligence, and by age group. - fragzebra.de
What can I do if someone creates deepfakes of me? What happens if I report someone on TikTok? My child plays Roblox – what do I need to bear in mind? On fragzebra.de, children, young people and parents can ask any questions they have about media and everyday digital life anonymously and have them answered by media experts. - klicksafe.de
The klicksafe.de website also offers a wealth of well-presented information on the topic of media use. Short explanatory videos show what TikTok actually is, how to make social media apps safer, and how to limit usage time. - mediennutzungsvertrag.de
Media usage agreements are available to download from mediennutzungsvertrag.de or zischtig.ch. - schau-hin.info
The schau-hin.info platform offers up-to-date information from the world of media, background knowledge on media education and practical tips for everyday family life with media. It also features a range of checklists and quizzes.
Media courses for parents
- Take a look!
The parents’ guide «Schau hin!» offers a free, 30-minute online training course on the opportunities and risks of various media services, as well as on age-appropriate device settings and rules for media use: medienkurse-fuer-eltern.info - Pro Juventute
Pro Juventute regularly offers free online events on topics such as «The World of Games», «Social Media Platforms» and Q&A sessions on digital media in everyday family life. projuventute.ch - medienschutz.ch
Through the Swiss provider medienschutz.ch, parents can book parents’ evenings on digital media with media educators to come to their school. Cost: from 500 Swiss francs.
Further reading
Daniel Wolff: Alone with a mobile phone. How to protect our children. Heyne 2026, 320 pages, approx. 28 Fr.
In this completely revised edition of his smartphone parenting guide, Daniel Wolff once again offers a candid insight into what children experience on their mobiles every day – and what they have told him during his hundreds of school visits as a digital coach. The book is compelling thanks to these real-life experiences and examples, as well as the many tips for parents. A new chapter explores how children interact with AI and what they reveal to chatbots.
Elisabeth Koblitz: «But everyone has a smartphone!» How to guide our children calmly and safely in their use of mobile phones, social media and the like. Rororo 2025, 256 pages, approx. 18 Fr.
As a mother of three, Elisabeth Koblitz has written this guide without a preachy tone; she has spoken not only to many experts, but also to children and teenagers. The latter part of the book contains plenty of practical tips on mobile phone settings as well as rules to follow before joining a class chat.
Thomas Feibel: Get your media licence. Your first smartphone: information and tips on usage, apps and safety. Carlsen 2023, 32 pages, approx. 7 Fr.
In this book, «Fritz+Fränzi» author and media journalist Thomas Feibel explains the opportunities and risks of apps to children aged eight and over in a clear and concise way.
Lukas Jud: Growing Up in the Digital Age. A guide for parents and teachers on how to use digital media effectively. Books on Demand, Hamburg, 138 pages, approx. 24 Fr.
Drawing on his experience as a teacher of mathematics, media and IT at Utenberg Secondary School in Lucerne, the author addresses topics such as social media, screen time, gaming, cyberbullying and AI in his guide. The focus is on how adults can engage in dialogue with children, recognise risks and agree on rules together
A mental reset. Who are you without your mobile? Giger Verlag in collaboration with LunoLabs, approx. 25 Fr.
First thing in the morning: mobile. Last thing before bed: mobile. On the bus, during break time, at mealtimes, whilst brushing your teeth, even in the loo. This journal helps children aged 12 and over to put their mobiles away for 30 days. Includes a detox challenge.
