After the Ayleen case: Bavaria's Digital Minister Judith Gerlach - "We have to protect children on the Internet"

Created: 08/02/2022Updated: 08/02/2022 09:20

By: Claudia Mussol

The case of young Ayleen brings cybercrime to the table.

Bavaria's Digital Minister Gerlach explains what needs to be considered.

Munich – The activities of young people on the Internet are difficult for many parents to understand.

Often children – especially in puberty – don't even talk about what they do on the internet.

In an interview with our editors, Bavaria's Digital Minister Judith Gerlach (CSU) explains what parents should pay attention to.

The case of the dead Ayleen (14) is currently bringing the topic back to the fore.

How do I sensitize adolescents/young girls to the dangers lurking in Internet chats?

Gerlach: We have to look, educate and support.

Children today come into contact with violence and crime on the Internet at a very early age.

We must not leave them alone.

This is a challenge for parents, but also for schools and authorities.

With our app “Wo ist Goldi?”, for example, we playfully introduce elementary school children to the topic of internet safety.

What are the biggest mistakes teenagers can make?

It must be clear to young people that the Internet is not a protected space.

Anything can be misused.

That's why teens should never share sensitive information or photos, and always keep in mind that anyone can chat under a fake name.

Digital Minister Gerlach recommends that parents act sensitively when using the Internet

Should parents set clear rules?

As in the analogue world, children and young people need rules and clear boundaries on the internet too.

Better than a blanket ban, however, is an enlightening, trusting conversation about the dangers lurking online.

The parents themselves should act sensitively when dealing with digital media, for example not posting any party pictures or other highly private pictures of themselves or the children.

Adolescents hate control – especially during puberty.

But isn't there another way in some cases, or aren't parents even obliged to monitor their children's Internet activities?

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The secret control of our children's cell phones represents a massive breach of trust. The most important approach is therefore communication.

That's why I appeal to all of us: Let's be contact persons for our children!

And let's be role models.

This is better than controls and admonitions.

The interview was conducted by Claudia Muschiol.