Saxony wants to make young people fit for digital media

"Young people in Saxony use the internet most frequently to communicate via messenger services and to stream videos, films, series, music or podcasts. Social networks also play a major role in the spectrum of their online activities," it said. According to the report, 34% of respondents often encounter offensive comments, 24% report fake news and hate messages and 23% are confronted with extreme political views online. 20% stated that they had already been bullied or insulted online. Around a third of them suffer from school anxiety as a result, and only around 22% have sought help for this.

A further finding of the survey was that only 36% agreed with the statement that schools prepare students adequately for everyday digital life. Respondents would like to see better media education in schools, more information on how to use digital media and stronger protection for children and young people in the media. According to Köpping, prevention must be more effective in child and youth welfare and media education must be considered a cross-cutting issue. Among other things, the Minister announced that the State Youth Welfare Office would be offering more advanced training courses.