Digital responsibility: Symposium on the future of our children in Tulln

Digital responsibility: Symposium on the future of our children in Tulln

On November 20, 2024, the symposium "Beautiful New World?!" instead, organized by the specialist office for violence prevention and the University of Education in Lower Austria. The aim of the conference was to address the common responsibility in education and society, in particular the accompaniment of children and adolescents in digital worlds and the prevention of radicalization on the Internet.

The event experienced a successful start from the welcome speech by Erwin Rauscher, the rector of the PH Lower Austria. He underlined that it is not the algorithms that shape our society, but the people themselves. "The physical ones today meet the virtual world," he noted and asked to make the real world responsible with digital tools.

importance of media literacy

like Christiane Teschl-Hofmeister, the State Councilor for Education, Social Affairs and Housing, in her speech, the strengthening of media literacy in children and adolescents is of the top importance. She pointed out that digital change has progressed rapidly in recent years and the further development of digital tools has been carried out in large steps. It is therefore essential that young people are able to deal with challenges such as fake news, hate comments and other digital dangers.

The symposium included a number of lectures and workshops. Among the speakers was Mario Omulec, who spoke about extremism in digital space. Gerhard Brandhofer from the PH Lower Austria also gave insights into didactics in a digital culture. Ingrid Brodnig, author of the book "Against the Reference", shared her thoughts about the effects of fake news and emotionalization in the digital world. "

The event also offered practical workshops in which topics such as conflict prevention and political education were treated. It was particularly emphasized how important it is to support children and adolescents in their self -esteem and to sensitize them to the risks of the digital world.

The Wladigeroff Brothers, who skillfully framed the symposium, provided musical entertainment. Henriette Höfner and Kerstin Angelika Zechner organized the event and ensured that all aspects of digital reality were treated in an appealing way.