By Prof. Dr. Ralf Lankau and Peter Hensinger, M.A.
Datum: July 10, 2026
English translation by Raul Guerreiro

The expert commission “Protection of Children and Youth in the Digital World,” commissioned by the German federal government, presented its recommendations for action on June 24, 2026. Prof. Dr. Klaus Zierer was a member of the commission. The commission recommends the use of digital media starting as early as preschool, then proposes an “AI-Seahorse Program“ [ „Seahorse“ is a popular infantile toy] for elementary schools, and suggests an age limit of 13 for social media bans. In the view of the „Alliance for Humane Education“, the commission thus failed to fulfill its actual mandate, expressed as ‚Protection of Children and Youth from risks in the Digital World‘.

Prof. Klaus Zierer, in his capacity as professor for school pedagogy, was willing to answer our questions.