We are committed to helping people use digital media safely and confidently, and we go beyond legal requirements in doing so. Through protective measures, information resources, and strong partnerships, we support children, young people, parents, and education professionals.
Whether on the playground, on the bus, or with friends after homework, cool cell phones and children’s hands have long gone together. Studies show that 95 percent of 12- to 19-year-olds have a smartphone with internet access. Of these, 87 percent use their devices every day to communicate with friends on social media, for entertainment, and for learning. For children and teens, smartphones and apps have long replaced traditional media as their primary source of information.
Today, children practice and learn how to behave in traffic as a matter of course. Pedestrian and bicycle licenses are considered a required part of elementary school programs almost everywhere. The same must apply to the digital highways. Deutsche Telekom has been advocating for this for years and provides families with appropriate resources, whether in the form of specific products, technical safety measures, or information. Banning children or teens from accessing new media is not the right approach. Deutsche Telekom also actively participates in various initiatives and associations and, together with other partners, supports broader ideas and approaches to improve youth protection and adapt it more quickly to current developments.
Using new media is not an issue that affects young people alone. Deutsche Telekom is committed to helping people of all ages use new technologies confidently and safely. In our "Media literacy" section, you can find additional information.
Deutsche Telekom is a founding member of the "ICT Coalition for Children Online", which brings together many leading companies in the digital economy. As part of this initiative, Deutsche Telekom and its European subsidiaries, among others, have committed to implementing high voluntary standards that are essential to children's online safety. These standards are upheld across all services and products offered by Deutsche Telekom's European subsidiaries. A transparent process regularly reviews the extent to which the defined standards are met and which measures are being taken to achieve the ICT Coalition's goals.
The commitment within the CEO-„Alliance to better protect minors online“ builds on this established high level of voluntary action. The „Alliance to better protect minors online“ is an initiative that emerged in response to a call from the European Commission and aims to improve the digital environment for children and young people. Stakeholders from a wide range of fields are working toward this goal. The Alliance focuses on combating harmful content (e.g., e.g., violent or sexually exploitative content), inappropriate behavior (e.g., cyberbullying, -mobbing), and harmful contacts (e.g., coercion or sexual extortion).
Younger children should only „surf“ in a protected environment (such as FragFinn mentioned above). However, these offerings are not appealing to older children and young people. Parents then need other technical tools to give children and young people more freedom without having to constantly look over their shoulder.
To support this, the nonprofit association JusProg e.V. developed the JusProg filtering software. The software can help parents let their children browse independently while providing better protection against sexual content or violence. Deutsche Telekom operated its own child protection software until 2016. To better meet the needs of rapidly evolving technology, different operating systems, and a highly diverse market, JusProg and Telekom now combine their expertise and are working on a shared, effective protection program.
Telekom therefore donated its child protection software to the association and also became a member. In March 2017, the JusProg youth protection program for Windows, which builds on Telekom's former child protection software, was recognized for the first time under the new § 11 Youth Media Protection State Treaty (JMStV). In addition to the Windows software, an app for Android and iOS is now also available. More
A free telephone counseling service for children, teens, and parents. More
Deutsche Telekom’s free security tips help you protect yourself and your data in your digital everyday life. More
Teachtoday is a Deutsche Telekom initiative that promotes safe, confident media use. The initiative supports children & teens, parents & grandparents, and education professionals with practical, everyday tips and materials. More
Gabriele Schmeichel
Youth Protection Officer
Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 140
53113 Bonn
Send us a message using the web form.
Alternatively, you can contact Freiwillige Selbstkontrolle Multimedia-Diensteanbieter (FSM), of which Deutsche Telekom is a member:
Freiwillige Selbstkontrolle Multimedia-Diensteanbieter e.V. (FSM)
Office, Beuthstr. 6
10117 Berlin
The Youth Protection Officer acts independently and is not subject to instructions in carrying out their duties. They are available to users as a contact for youth-protection-related questions about Deutsche Telekom offerings and advise Deutsche Telekom on youth protection matters. Deutsche Telekom informs and involves the Youth Protection Officer in all matters related to developing, planning, and designing offerings.
The Youth Protection Officer is therefore involved in planning new projects at an early stage and can propose restrictions or changes to Deutsche Telekom.
In addition, employees receive youth protection training to further raise awareness of youth protection issues and create knowledge multipliers.
© 2026 Deutsche Telekom AG
