Online parents' evening: Increase safety for children in digital times!

Online parents' evening: Increase safety for children in digital times!

At a time when digitalization is advancing unstoppably, media risks for children and young people are a hot topic. There will be an online parents' evening on Wednesday that will deal with exactly these challenges. Demand was so great that the number of participants was doubled to 1,000 to enable as many parents as possible to take part. In May, only 500 dial-in slots were offered, which were immediately booked up. This time the organizers have taken precautions and are ensuring that no interested parent is left out.

The focus of the evening is on the topic “Digital violence – real risk: What parents should know about sexual violence and the media”. Experts from the state coordination office and employees from the state criminal investigation office have a lot of information to help parents navigate their children safely through digital spaces. This training is not only informative, but also practical. Parents receive materials on media literacy, sexual violence, cybersecurity and prevention.

Create awareness

The experts explain signs that can indicate violence perpetrated in the media. Young people's self-image and interpersonal relationships are also discussed, particularly the influences of social media. What becomes clear here is that the digital world shapes young people in many ways. A central topic will also be how to deal with pornography and sexual education, which will be taken up by the state office for sexual health and family planning.

The aim of the event is clear: through knowledge and trust, parents should be supported in enabling their children to use digital media safely. Content and materials are provided on the organizers' websites so that the information is always at hand and can be read at your leisure.

Take digital violence seriously

The issue of digital violence has become more important in recent years. An EU directive that came into force on June 13, 2024 aims to combat violence against women and domestic violence. Digital violence can take many forms, from hate speech to cyberbullying to cyberstalking. The study shows that young women who have often experienced similar violence are often affected - a vicious circle that is difficult to break.

What is particularly worrying is that digital surveillance and doxxing are also increasingly being discussed. Because digital violence can often cause real harm, it highlights the need to take these issues seriously. For many of those affected, it is often difficult to recognize that they are experiencing violence - this makes providing help much more complicated. It is therefore important that relatives, friends and society as a whole are sensitive to these issues.

In summary, events such as the online parents' evening not only provide a platform to educate, but also help to raise awareness of the risks and challenges associated with the use of digital media. Having a good handle on media can be crucial to keeping children safe in an increasingly digital world.