There is not only an addiction to alcohol or cigarettes. You can also become addicted to social media, games or other digital services, such as online casinos.

Signs of this can be that you spend a lot of time on your cell phone or computer and the time you spend using it is getting longer and longer. Perhaps you think almost exclusively about social media or gaming and find it difficult to use it less. School, training or social contacts can suffer as a result. Some people get angry, irritable or sad when they can't be online. Physical problems such as lack of sleep or headaches and back pain can also occur.

The important thing is to observe yourself and take your feelings seriously. If you notice that your media consumption is not doing you any good, get help. Talk to people you trust. In Salzgitter, for example, AWO Salto Suchthilfe (opens in a new tab) also offers support on the subject of media addiction.

You can do a lot to protect yourself online. It is best to set your profiles to "private" so that not every stranger can see everything about you. You decide for yourself who you accept as a contact.

Be careful not to share too much personal data. Nobody is forcing you or is allowed to force you to make your address, phone number, real name or information about school and everyday life public. Take your time to get to know the settings of the individual apps, as each platform works slightly differently.

Better safe than sorry.

Passwords protect your accounts - for example on social media, games or online stores. If someone knows your password, they can impersonate you.

A good password is at least ten characters long and consists of upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters. Your password should not contain any personal information and should not be used on several sites at the same time. Your password belongs only to you; friends and family do not need to know it.

You can also use "two-factor authentication". When you log in, you need an extra code that you receive by text message or via an app, for example. This makes your accounts much more secure.

Passkeys can also offer additional protection here. Many apps and websites already offer this protection.

Everything you share on the internet can be saved and redistributed. Some content can cause you problems later, for example offensive comments, embarrassing photos or private information.

Before posting, think about whether you would be okay with many people seeing it. If you are unsure, don't post it.

There are always challenges, tests of courage or chain letters on the internet. Some are harmless, others can be dangerous or scary, especially for younger children.

You should not take part in anything that makes you feel uncomfortable or could put you or others in danger.

Remember: Once something is on the internet, it often stays there. Don't post anything that could embarrass you later or seriously hurt yourself or others.

Online bullying is hurtful and not allowed. It is not your fault.

First secure evidence, for example with screenshots (don't forget the date and time). Do not respond to the attacks, but report the content to the respective platform and block the person. It is very important that you talk to someone you trust about it, for example parents, teachers or school social workers.

If the situation does not clear up or the perpetrators are unknown, you can file a complaint with the police. If you are a minor, you will need support from your parents. You can also get help from JUUUPORT (opens in a new tab), a counseling center specifically for young people.

No one is allowed to publish pictures or videos of you unless you have given your consent - not even your parents and friends if you don't want them to! This also applies to messengers such as WhatsApp (e.g. Stories, where parents like to post pictures without asking you).

Ask the person to delete the picture and, if necessary, report the post to the platform. If necessary, secure evidence with screenshots. If the material is not removed, you can report it to the police. If you are a minor, you will need support from your parents.

Never send strangers private data, photos or videos of yourself! Some people pretend to be friendly, pretend to be your age or offer gifts. This is often followed by sexual messages, requests or even threats.

Do not respond to them. Collect evidence, block the person and report the contact to the platform. Make sure you talk to someone you trust about it. You have nothing to be ashamed of, because you have done nothing wrong.

Attempting to have sexual contact with minors is a punishable offense. Together with your parents or guardian, you can file a complaint with the police. You can find contact details for the police here if you want to make an appointment: Salzgitter police (opens in a new tab).

If strangers send you unsolicited intimate pictures, this is not permitted. Take screenshots with a visible user name or number. You can file a complaint quickly and easily via the Dickstinction (opens in a new tab) website.

Block the contact, report them to the platform and do not reply. Again, talk to people you trust. If you feel very distressed, you can turn to free support services such as JUUUPORT (opens in a new tab).

Sexting means sending intimate or naked pictures or videos, for example in a relationship. This can be risky because pictures can be forwarded or used against you later, for example after a break-up.

If you take such pictures, make sure that you cannot be recognized, for example by your face, tattoos or other features (birthmark/liver spot/etc.). Delete the pictures from your cell phone later. If intimate content is distributed without your consent, you can file a complaint. Minors need support from their parents. Remember that pictures/videos of minors are considered child/youth pornography and this is punishable by law - regardless of whether you know the person or not. WhatsApp stickers that show such things are also a danger to you. Protect yourself and delete them immediately.

Cybergrooming means that adults make targeted contact with children or young people on the internet in order to build trust. They often get very personal, want to share secrets or ask for pictures. They also give you gifts in games or apps (skins, credit, etc.). It's better to be suspicious here and listen to your gut feeling. People don't usually have something to give away just like that. Don't reveal personal details such as your name, place of residence, school or anything else to strangers.

If something like this happens to you, break off contact, collect evidence and get help immediately from adults or counseling centers.

Extremist groups use social media and online games to appeal to young people. They often appear friendly and try to spread their ideas slowly.

If content scares you, spreads hate or seems very one-sided, be careful. Talk to people you trust about it, secure evidence and report the profiles. Radicalization often happens gradually, but there is always help and ways out, for example via advice centres.

Influencers often only show the beautiful sides of their lives or what they want you to see. A lot of content is advertising. Not everything that is said is true or honest.

Inform yourself and question statements critically. You can like your idol and still have your own opinion.

There is also fake news on the Internet. Some are spread specifically to influence people.

Take the time to check. See if other reputable sites report on them or use fact-checking sites such as Mimikama (opens in a new tab) or correctiv (opens in a new tab). A reverse image search can also help.

Don't spread news if you're not sure it's true. This way you can break the fake news chain.

Not every app handles your data well. Pay attention to what access it requests and whether this is really necessary. Only download apps from official app stores and use fewer apps rather than too many. Find out what others think on the internet.

It can often also be a sign if your battery suddenly runs out very quickly and you hardly do anything on your phone. An app may be working in the background and doing things that you may not want to do.

First of all, you are not the person responsible for setting this, but the parents or a person with custody. If you want to help them, for example to protect your siblings from online dangers, that's perfectly okay.

For younger children, there are settings that can be used to restrict content and limit screen time. This is a better way to protect children. Talk to parents or other adults about which settings make sense. You can also find help with the various devices and apps/programs online on the website Medien kindersicher (opens in a new tab).

If something bad happens to you online, you are not alone. You can talk to parents, teachers or other adults. There are also anonymous advice services on the internet and on the phone.

Getting help is not tattling, it's brave and the right thing to do.

"Social media offer many opportunities to be creative and have fun. You can show what interests you, what is important to you and what you can do. Many people use social media to take photos, make videos, share music, write texts or express their opinions on topics that move them.

You can try out new things and develop your own style. It's not about being perfect, it's about expressing yourself and being part of a community. Social media can connect, enable exchange and give you the feeling of belonging. Because your voice counts too.

Being creative also means learning things. You can pick up ideas from others, be inspired and create something of your own. You decide what you want to share and how much of yourself you want to show. Under "What shouldn't I post" or "How do I make my social media profile secure", we give you a few tips on what you should keep in mind for your own safety.

If you would like to try out some creative activities with others, there are also local offers. You can learn new skills, for example in the areas of media, photography, video or social media, at youth programs (opens in a new tab) offered by the city of Salzgitter or at the Volkshochschule Salzgitter (opens in a new tab). You can get support there, ask questions and develop your ideas. Younger children can also find vacation workshops at the city of Salzgitter's Medienzentrum (opens in a new tab).

Social media can be a space in which you can grow, try things out and become visible - in your own way and at your own pace.