Dr. Claudia Lampert, together with Klaus Lutz (Parabol Media Center), edited the latest issue of the media education journal “merz” (2/2026). The issue is titled “Everything Under Control? Thoughts on the Debate Over Media Bans.” Dr. Stephan Dreyer also contributed an article.
The issue “Alles unter Kontrolle? Impulse zur Debatte über Medienverbote” [Everything Under Control? Thoughts on the Debate Over Media Bans] was published only in German.
Editorial: “Schutz braucht Vertrauen [Protection Requires Trust]
In their editorial, the team writes that this special issue aims to contribute to an informed and nuanced discussion. The goal of media education and political discourse should be to illuminate and anticipate the challenges that young people face due to their extensive use of digital media. At the same time, we need approaches that consider protection, especially of vulnerable groups, as well as participation and the right to the free development of the personality. Such an approach must balance educational, psychological, and legal considerations while ensuring that restrictions and bans are applied only where truly necessary and appropriate.”
Insight into the Podcast
In the podcast “mehr merz. Der Medienpädagogik-Podcast” [more merz. The Media Education Podcast], Claudia Lampert and Klaus Lutz discuss the development and themes of this issue.
Access
This issue is available here in German for 10 euros and will be open access starting June 15, 2026.
Contents
This issue features articles from research and practice perspectives that shed light on different views of the current debate over media bans.
Articles by Claudia Lampert:
- “Zur Sinnhaftigkeit von Medienverboten aus entwicklungspsychologischer Perspektive” [On the Merits of Media Bans from a Developmental Psychology Perspective]
- “Die Eltern stets am Handgelenk. Kinder-Smartwatches im Spannungsfeld von Sicherheit, Kontrolle und Autonomieentwicklung” [Parents Always on Their Wrist: Children’s Smartwatches at the Intersection of Safety, Control, and the Development of Autonomy]
Article by Stephan Dreyer:
- “Rien ne va plus: Nichts geht mehr? Eltern als herausforderte Steuerungsressource in der Jugendmedienschutz-Governance” [Rien ne va plus: No More Bets, Please? Parents as a Challenged Steering Resource in Youth Media Protection Governance]
The complete table of contents is available online.