Pictures, memes, statements – sent by children and young people. Many people don't realize that certain messages can potentially make them criminal.
WhatsApp has become an integral part of many young people's everyday lives. According to “Youth, Media, Information 2018”, 80 percent of 12 to 13 year olds and 90 percent of 14 to 15 year olds consider Messenger to be the most important app on their smartphone. This is precisely why it is important to teach children and young people how to use all digital media correctly.
Criminal content on WhatsApp
In an incident in Cologne at the Archbishop's Liebfrauenschule, jokes about Anne Frank or images that ridiculed the Holocaust were sent and received by 14-year-old students in a group chat. A report was filed by the school management. Unfortunately, this incident is not an isolated case. The police repeatedly deal with criminally relevant content such as child pornography and incitement to hatred through images, texts and videos.
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With just one click, young people carelessly send racist jokes, National Socialist symbols or even child pornography images. Most people are probably not aware that this could potentially make them criminal.
Christian Solmecke, Cologne media lawyer, explains: “How prohibited content is announced is irrelevant.”
Any content that violates the law can also be punished. These include child pornographic images or videos, incitement to hatred, calls to commit crimes, denial of the Holocaust and the use of unconstitutional symbols such as the swastika, the symbol of the NSDAP, the SS or the SA. “Heil Hitler” or “Sieg Heil” are also banned.“Especially when users receive child pornography material in WhatsApp groups, the possession of such media is already a punishable offense according to Sections 184b and 184c of the Criminal Code.” The extent to which this possession is punishable depends in each individual case on “when knowledge of the content was acquired and whether the preservation of such images was 'accepted'," Christian Solmecke points out.
Basic rules for digital media
Kristin Langer, media coach at the “Look at!” initiative, believes it is extremely important that parents support their children in using digital media. Children need to know that there are rules on the internet too. You must be prepared for the fact that there are images, texts and videos in digital media that hurt people and also cross legal boundaries. That far too often you can come across negative, frightening, disturbing and criminal content here.
“The digital world is not a playground where everyone can do whatever they want,” says Kristin Langer.
If children know what is okay and what is not, they are able to evaluate the news themselves from a certain age.
According to Kristin Langer, a basic rule should be:
“Before I write, forward or send something, I always have to think about whether I should really send it.”
It is important to know how to behave respectfully towards others and communicate appropriately with each other.
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Parents are asked!
Parents are therefore asked to explain to their children why certain things are forbidden, why it is not permitted or even punishable to paint, use or distribute various symbols. Parents are also required to teach their children not to allow themselves to be put under pressure by schoolmates. Peer pressure is often a big driver that you then have to evade. It is important that young people have trusted people such as parents, teachers or friends who they can turn to and receive support if they have received questionable or frightening news.
Report criminally relevant content on WhatsApp!
You can report criminally relevant content to the relevant platform, block the sender and delete yourself from the chats. You can also use offers such as “Juuuport”, where young people receive anonymous advice from other young people.
It is also helpful to find individual solutions with your children regarding behavior and use of various chats. For example, usage times can play a role here, but also rules regarding chat content.
“Some parents agree with the young people that they will watch WhatsApp chats once a month, or that they will talk to the children about the content in the chats once a week.”
One of the most important rules of behavior for children online should always be: “I have to take care of myself and others.”
Source: Rundschau Online
Article image: Shutterstock / By fizkes
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )

