Allgäu - Instead of protecting their children, many parents switch to media literacy when it comes to the issue.
It has long been normal that many children have caught up with their parents when it comes to media literacy - at least when it comes to using end devices.
But media literacy is much more and it is the parents' responsibility to collect them.
This is the only way they can protect their children.
When it comes to terms like “media competence”, the ears of some parents switch to draft.
The term has been used too often and seems as trite as “sustainability” or “regionality”.
Everyone believes that they have already understood the principle and don't have to think about it any further.
Some continue to happily buy meat from factory farming at discount stores and demand animal welfare, others let their children play with their mobile phones in an uncontrolled manner and are appalled when the youngsters consume content involving sex and violence.
Ignorance does not protect one from punishment
The lack of control can have fatal consequences, because if the wrong content is received, consumed and, above all, distributed, the children are quickly caught up in the criminal offense.
The police have now launched a prevention project on precisely this topic.
Because regardless of whether it is the possession of child pornography or the distribution of content that glorifies violence - the numbers in this area are increasing rapidly.
With their prevention work, the police want to raise awareness among children and young people who often unreflectively spread illegal content - and so do their parents.
Child pornography ownership skyrocketed
For some time now, the police headquarters in Swabia South / West have recorded a sharp increase in crimes in the area of possession or distribution of illegal content.
Compared to the same period last year, the number of crimes relating to possession of child pornography has increased by 40 percent since the beginning of the year.
Since 2018 there has even been an increase of 400 percent.
Police chief Dr.
Claudia Strößner is concerned: “The numbers in this crime area have risen sharply in recent years.
The huge increase in these numbers in the possession and distribution of illegal content on smartphones is alarming. "
According to a detailed analysis of the statistics, children and adolescents are suspected in a large number of offenses.
This is the result of ignorance of criminal liability when young people pass on certain content without reflection.
Children often deal with illegal content such as photos or videos carelessly.
But it is precisely this kind of content that spreads particularly quickly.
The police provide support with media education
The judiciary initiates criminal proceedings in every known case.
That is why the police headquarters in Swabia South / West appeals to parents to take their responsibility for media education seriously.
It is not a question of whether they have mastered the technology or not, but rather about open dialogue within the family.
There is also support from the police.
There are regular lectures at schools, but there is also the possibility of direct advice from the police stations.
Support for parents on the Internet
Parents can also find information on the Internet, for example at www.klicksafe.de.
Parents are often not aware that by owning their own cell phone, they are opening up the adult world to their children.
"Take your responsibility in media education seriously and accompany your child step by step into this new world," advises the police chief.
Strößner appeals to parents to build a relationship of trust with their children so that they can report themselves if they discover disturbing content on their smartphones.
"Be sure to report illegal content to the police," she advises.
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