Media Scouts Training: Students Tackle Digital Responsibility & Online Safety

Hannover, Germany – Twenty-three ninth-grade students at Helene-Lange-Schule Hannover completed an initial workshop on February 17th, marking the start of their training to become “Medienscouts,” or media scouts, according to a school announcement released today.

The workshop introduced the students to their future roles, focusing on responsible media consumption, digital communication, and peer support. Participants engaged with topics including cybergrooming, identifying misinformation, and recognizing online advertising, culminating in research and presentations, the school stated.

The initiative aims to equip students with the skills to become trusted resources for their peers regarding media use. Three additional workshops are planned before the summer break to deepen the students’ understanding and develop practical intervention strategies. Following the training, the Medienscouts will form a working group to launch preventative projects and offer assistance to the school community, addressing questions and concerns related to digital media.

Similar programs exist at other Helene-Lange-Gymnasien across Germany. At Helene-Lange-Gymnasium Dortmund, student Medienscouts, supported by staff, offer workshops to younger students on topics like secure passwords, social networks, and data privacy, while similarly receiving input from local police on cybercrime prevention. The Helene Lange Gymnasium in Fürth also utilizes a similar model, partnering with law enforcement and victim support organizations to train students in areas such as cyberbullying prevention and responsible online behavior.

The Hamburg branch of Helene-Lange-Gymnasium is currently seeking to expand its Medienscout program to include students who can work with younger grades, aiming to raise awareness about the responsible use of new media, particularly social networks.