Online Harassment and Kids in Germany: A Clear and Present Danger
Online Poll Reveals High Prevalence of Cyberbullying Among Youth Online - Internet Poll Finds Regular Cyberbullying Targeting Kids
When it comes to the digital world, it's not just a game for kids in Germany. A staggering one in four children has faced sexually motivated advances from adults online, according to a recent survey. In the yearly survey conducted by the Landesanstalt für Medien NRW, 24% of children and young people reported experiencing this kind of behavior in social media or online games.
The number of youth under 14 who are affected is even more alarming, with around one in six being impacted. This alarming rate remains disturbingly consistent over the years, as reported by the media authority in Düsseldorf.
However, there's a silver lining: awareness is on the rise. Sixty-nine percent of the surveyed children and young people expressed a desire for more education on the topic of cybergrooming, a significant increase from the 61% voice in 2021.
While education is key, it's essential to know how to handle such situations. Tobias Schmid, director of the Landesmedienanstalt, advises children and young people to act immediately if they sense their online conversation partner is overstepping boundaries. The advice is straightforward: end the chat, block the profile or number, and maintain distance.
The initial contact is often marked by flattery, small gifts, or social pressure, but it can lead to foul play. The Landesanstalt warns about the cunning and diverse tactics used by predators to lure children and young people online.
If you find yourself in such a situation or want to report a suspected case of cybergrooming, there's help at hand. The Landesanstalt für Medien NRW provides a user-friendly question-and-answer form for reporting at this web address: https://www.fragzebra.de/cybergrooming.
For parents, open and candid conversations about safety rules are crucial. Overly restrictive measures like banning social networks or messaging apps can drive children away without providing a platform for dialogue. Instead, parents should work together with their children to understand and navigate the digital landscape.
In the survey, parents were most often the designated point of contact for such issues, with 43%. Additionally, more than 1,200 schools in NRW have Landesanstalt-trained Medienscouts available for questions and assistance regarding daily digital life.
- In response to the rising concerns about cybergrooming, it's crucial to implement comprehensive community and employment policies within schools that prioritize cybersecurity education and self-development for both students and staff.
- Recognizing the importance of technology in children's lives, parents should adhere to a balanced approach, promoting open conversations about online safety and digital citizenship, rather than resorting to overly restrictive measures.
