The report on child and youth participation for the expert commission, “Child and Youth Protection in the Digital World,” shows that children and young people do not want less digitalization, but rather a safer and better digital world. Dr. Claudia Lampert‘s expertise was incorporated into the interdisciplinary commission’s work.
During seven workshops, young people aged 12 to 18 discussed specific everyday situations, developed solutions, and exchanged ideas with commission members.
The findings are available in the separate report “Gemeinsam für ein besseres und sicheres Internet” [Together for a better and safer Internet; only available in German], which you can download for free here.
On September 11 at 9:30 a.m., the report will be presented to Federal Minister for Family Affairs Karin Prien during a closing conference. The conference will be broadcast live. Click here for the livestream.
More information is available in the press release issued in German by the Federal Ministry of Education, Family, Seniors, Women, and Youth on September 7, 2026.
The Expert Commission
The independent commission of 18 experts in law, medicine, psychology, criminology, pedagogy, communication studies, and educational research was established in September 2025. In April 2026, the commission presented a comprehensive review of the current state of research, risks, media literacy, and the legal framework. This review, together with numerous hearings, formed the basis for the action recommendations “Entwicklung stärken, Verantwortung übernehmen” [Strengthen Development, Take Responsibility; available in German only] published in June and released in a short version.
The Commission’s Recommendations for Action
At the heart of these recommendations is the call to protect children and adolescents in the digital space while allowing them to participate. To this end, platforms, educational institutions, parents, and government actors should take on a greater responsibility.
Taken as a whole, the 56 recommendations address all stages of life, from early childhood through adolescence, and are intended to align the digital world with the rights, needs, and developmental opportunities of children and adolescents.
Photo: Annie Spratt on Unsplash