BzKJ supports up to eight child-friendly digital projects

From now until 3 May, companies, foundations and associations can apply to the BzKJ for funding for digital projects suitable for children or for information and classification of such projects.

The tasks of the Federal Agency for the Protection of Children and Young Persons in the Media (Bundeszentrale für Kinder- und Jugendmedienschutz; BzKJ) include not only the maintenance of the banned media list but also the further development of the protection of minors in the media in Germany and the promotion of child-friendly media. For the latter, the BzKJ has various measures at its disposal, including the funding programme "Child-friendly digital offers and orientation measures", which is now entering a new round.

A total of €200,000 is available for the programme, which the BzKJ can award to up to eight projects. In principle, any project that provides children with age-appropriate digital experiences can be funded. However, the focus is particularly on child-friendly digital services or services for information and categorisation guidance for children and parents about child-friendly digital media. According to the press release, there is a lack of child-friendly, low-threshold opportunities for age-appropriate dialogue with peers, especially in the areas of social media and gaming. As a result, without guidance, children turn to non-age-appropriate alternatives, which, according to the BzKJ, pose dangers and risks that are often underestimated.

According to the BzKJ, the funded measures should apply to mobile phones and have a long-term effect beyond the funding period. However, as with many funding programmes, there are restrictive limitations, such as the fact that the measures can only begin once the funding has been approved. And they must be completed by 15 November 2024. So it tends to be small projects that can be implemented in a short period of time.