Better Internet for Kids

This report of the independent expert commission "Child and Youth Protection in the Digital World"  provides an empirical baseline analysis of age-specific risks, opportunities, and regulatory protections for young people navigating digital environments in Germany. Drafted by 18 interdisciplinary experts, the stocktaking document outlines how online platforms impact children’s physical, mental, and social well-being. It documents prevalent interaction risks, including exposure to hate speech, cyberbullying, sexualized violence, and manipulative platform designs, while balancing young users' rights to digital participation and education. The report highlights key structural enforcement gaps in current legal frameworks (e.g., the Digital Services Act) and advocates for design-based protections and age-appropriate media literacy initiatives over total bans.