Safe Surfing

Children playfully learn to assess risks on the Web using the “Junait” software. With the computer game, planpolitik GbR wins the DEKRA Award 2018 in the category “home security”.

With fun and commitment, a lasting learning success sets in. Photo: Norbert Böwing

Even primary school children are regularly on the Internet today, and many already have their own mobile phones. Facebook, Google & Co. are omnipresent. Are the kids aware of the risks of social media? “Since many parents are at a loss about this topic themselves, they don’t care enough and leave it to the children. Even teachers often don’t get involved,” says Björn Warkalla, managing director of the Berlin education agency planpolitik GbR.

Children train dealing with social media in the group. Photo: Norbert Böwing

With “Junait” they have developed a game in which children between the ages of eight and twelve can play on the Internet together in the school’s computer room. The focus is on three areas: the sensitive handling of personal data, making contact with strangers as well as virus and competition baits. The project was financially supported with funds from the “Ein Netz für Kinder” initiative and the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media.

Konstantin Kaiser, Project Manager (l.), And Björn Warkalla, Managing Director, of planpolitik. Photo: Norbert Böwing

“When developing ‘Junait’, it was important to us that it should be a group game and that it should be fun. At the same time, it should come as close as possible to reality in the social networks. That’s why the whole class can play together and learn the basics about the lurking dangers,” explains project manager Konstantin Kaiser. The enthusiastic gamer had the idea for “Junait” and is already thinking about further development. Kaiser: “There are still many topics. What happens to photos and what is cyberbullying?” In one year, 2,000 children in over 100 learning groups were made fit for the Internet.