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Media use for children -
A guide for parents
Digital media are part of our everyday lives, and children as well as parents need to learn how to use them. For parents, this means that they should provide comprehensive support throughout this learning process, introduce their children to the digital world and support their learning.
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You will find these topics on this page:
- Screen time: While sensible regulation of screen time depends on the age of the child, every child is different. Our recommendations for screen time.
- Parental controls: Parental controls on smartphones and tablets can protect your child from inappropriate content. These options are available.
- Media rules: Every family has different media rules for how you and your child can deal with this. Here are our recommendations.
- Role models: As parents, you are also role models for your child when it comes to media. Find out how you can be a better role model here.
You will find the following topics on this page
Topic
Using screen time wisely
Does your child spend too much time in front of the computer
or use TikTok late into the night?
Many parents wonder how much screen time is healthy and acceptable. There is no magic formula, as not all children react to media in the same way. Simply specifying the number of minutes a child of a certain age should spend using screen media is therefore not enough. The key factors are the child's maturity and the content they are using.
Screen time for children under 3 years old
Keep your own media use to a minimum – your smartphone should not block your child's view of your face. Give your child your full attention. Always accompany your child when they are using media.
Screen time for children aged 3 to 6
Set time limits and use media together. Discuss what you have seen with your child. Unrestricted use – both in terms of time and content – should be prevented. And define media-free times (at the dinner table, before bedtime, etc.).
Screen time for children aged 6 to 9
Start using media as a creative tool. This will help your child learn what is possible, what should be posted online and where caution is required. If children know how content is created, they will also learn how much they can trust content online.
Screen time for children aged 9 to 12 years
Your child will now be using digital media independently more and more often. Talk to them about their first smartphone, what it should be used for, and what your child is and is not allowed to do. Also teach them to treat the device with care.
Screen time for children aged 12 and above
Content that is harmful to young people, excessive time spent online, fake news and hate speech on the internet are becoming hot topics. As parents, don't let yourself be unsettled by the fact that your child may be better at using devices than you are: your parental competence lies in helping them to evaluate web content. Continue to be a trusting and interested companion. Sleep is important: it is best to switch off Wi-Fi and the internet at night.
Every child is different
French psychoanalyst Serge Tisseron has provided many parents with guidance in the form of his well-known 3-6-9-12 rule. In 2018, he adapted it in an attempt to do justice to the rapid development of digital media with more open rules.
Do you have a little time? This exciting podcast with three experts explores and reflects on the topic in depth.
You can find the podcast here(opens in new tab)
Ultimately, it is important to express your opinion fairly and respectfully at all times and at all ages. Swisscom has created its own dossier on this topic. You can find an overview of the topic of hate speech here.
Topic
Setting up parental controls
Useful, but not a cure-all
Parental control is software that blocks certain content on the internet or restricts access time.
Setting up screen time on the iPhone
Setting up Family Link on an Android phone
However, such apps should not be seen as a ‘technical babysitter’: firstly, they can only keep your child away from a large proportion of inappropriate content, but not all of it. And secondly, children with unbridled creativity will find ways to discover ‘exciting content’ anyway.
However, such tools are definitely suitable for primary school-aged children, as they can prevent your child from accidentally encountering erotic, pornographic or violent content.
What functions are available?
Internet Security filter software
With ‘Internet Security’, Swisscom offers you many other security features as well as the option to restrict access times and content.
Swisscom Internet Box
The Swisscom Internet Box allows you to individually limit the online time of each registered device (game console, smartphone, tablet, etc.).
iPhone and Android offer built-in functions
Nowadays, it is very easy for parents to control content, access times and the use of individual apps.
We explain how you can use the ‘Parental Controls’ (AppleTM) and ‘Family Link’ (AndroidTM) features.
Topic
Media rules at home and away
When other families have different rules
From nursery age onwards, children regularly visit each other. And sometimes they stay overnight with their grandparents or spend the afternoon with their aunt. Here, children may be allowed to do more than they are at home. For example, they may use media differently or more often. How should you react?
Your child – your upbringing
If you have established media rules at home, you will have done so after careful consideration. And you should stick to them. ‘But I'm allowed to at Grandma's!’ or ‘But my friend is allowed to...’ – statements like these should not cause you to hastily change the rules at home. Reconsider? Yes, but don't make rash changes. Stick to your principles and trust that your child will learn that different situations call for different rules.
Rules are subject to change
What if media use in your best friend's household is fundamentally different? What if, for example, your child is allowed to watch films or play games there that you have banned at home?
The friendship between the two should not suffer under any circumstances. Approach the other parents and explain your reservations. The possibilities for how children spend their time together are endless; suggest alternatives. Or find a compromise (agree on a middle ground for time rules, refrain from certain content) when your child is with their friend. But again, this should not lead you to completely abandon your everyday media habits.
If you find that many other parents have set significantly stricter or more relaxed rules, it is definitely a good idea to review your own rules – always with your own understanding of parenting in mind.
Topic
Parents are role models
Parents should pay attention to this when using media themselves.
Ultimately, as a parent, you are the benchmark in almost all areas. When your child repeats their first words, adopts your manners, learns how to sit at the table and even how to use media, they are constantly imitating and copying your behaviour. Michael In Albon, Youth Media Protection Officer, has compiled the following tips for you.
The screen between you and your child
Parents often underestimate how their child perceives them when they are standing on the football pitch but still talking on the phone. Or when their eyes are glued to their smartphone while their daughter is telling them about her day.
Make sure you give your child your full attention whenever possible and do not allow yourself to be distracted by media.
Comment fairly and respectfully
When you criticise actors on television, dislike a picture on Instagram or comment on an article on a newspaper website, make sure you apply the same rules of etiquette at home to your own everyday media use.
Explain to your child that the internet is not a lawless space and that respect and good manners should also apply there. See also ‘Hate speech’.
Your rules are also my rules
As parents, we automatically limit our children's media consumption. At the same time, we should also be consistent in limiting our own use. ‘Yes, I have to work’ is correct, but it will seem unfair to your child if you are allowed to do something that they are not. It is particularly important to set a good example during family time.
For example, limit media use:
- during mealtimes
- before bedtime
- in the first few moments after coming home
- and when your child wants to tell you something important
Draw up a media usage agreement(opens in new tab) with your child. For example, define a media-free day and discuss the effects with your family.
These tips will help you make everyday media use with your children more relaxed – and reflect on your own media consumption.
This is important
- Screen time: The older your child is, the more independently they can use digital media. However, remain accessible to your child as a trustworthy and interested companion. Click here to return to screen time.
- Parental controls: Parental controls are not only available for Android and Apple devices, but also with the Swisscom Internet Box or our filter software ‘Internet Security’. You can find out more about parental controls here.
- Media rules: Even if your child is allowed to learn different media rules when visiting friends, your rules apply at home. However, review your rules regularly and adjust them as necessary. We have described how to deal with media rules here.
- Role models: Your child will notice if you are not giving them your full attention and are distracted by your smartphone. Be aware of this and set a good example. You can find more on this topic here.
Useful links
Further content
We have compiled further information and content on the topic of ‘Accompanying children in the digital world’ here.
Videos
Set up screen time on your iPhone.
Set up Family Link on your Android phone.
Child protection on the Internet box.
Accompanying children in the digital world
Useful links
Other interesting topics
Ask Michael
Michael In Albon is Swisscom's Youth Media Protection Officer. He is available to answer any questions you may have about children and media.
Michael In Albon
Youth Media Protection Officer,
Head of Schulen ans Internet (SAI)