Dangers on the net: Experts warn parents of risks for children!

Dangers on the net: Experts warn parents of risks for children!

Eschwege, Deutschland - An alarming parenting lecture by the BKK Werra-Meißner in Eschwege has moved the dangers of media consumption for children and adolescents into the spotlight. Under the title "Social Media and I", the social worker Annemarie Berghoff from the Höxter police informed about the dark side of the digital world. Topics such as children's pornography, cyber grooming and bullying were openly addressed, and the parents were urged to actively deal with the media use of their children.

Berghoff, who knows first -hand the challenges with which children are confronted, emphasized the need for an open dialogue between parents and children. Bans are often counterproductive; Instead, parents should check the privacy settings of the apps and set clear periods of use. "Children under the age of ten should not have their own smartphone," she warned, and instead recommended simple cell phones without internet access. The dangers lurking on the Internet are diverse and range from unwanted contacts with pedophiles to disturbing content that children can reach via social media and video platforms.

The dark side of the digital world

The speaker urged how children in chat rooms can easily be addressed by dangerous people. In addition, they are often unintentionally faced with content that are completely unsuitable for their age. "The worse the content, the longer the children stay on the platforms," ​​warned Berghoff. The dangers are omnipresent: Whether WhatsApp, Instagram or Tikok - the risks are real and parents are often unsuspecting what their children actually consume.

Another big problem is bullying, which often takes place among young people. The perpetrators and victims are often known, and the psychological consequences can be devastating. Sleep disorders, attention deficits and even depression are just a few of the health risks associated with excessive media consumption. "The best thing is always when you don't let it get that far," said Claudia Küster from the BKK. Prevention and education about these topics are crucial to protect children from the dangers of the digital world.