Germany's Independent Expert Commission on "Child and Youth Protection in the Digital World" has presented 56 policy recommendations. They provide important impulses for a modern child and youth policy and form the basis for the federal government's comprehensive strategy on child and youth protection in the digital age. 

The Expert Commission on Child and Youth Protection in the Digital World presented its policy recommendations to Federal Minister for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth Karin Prien on June 24, 2026. The recommendations outline ways to achieve protection, empowerment, and participation for children and young people in the digital world.

The interdisciplinary commission examined the different life stages of children and young people as well as the responsibilities of various stakeholders. The perspectives of children and young people themselves were incorporated directly into the commission's work through nationwide workshops. 

With its 56 recommendations, the expert commission presents a holistic approach to ensuring that children and young people can grow up well in the digital world. According to the co-chairs of the commission, the digital world must be shaped around the rights and needs of children and young people, not the other way around. The recommendations address the entire life course, from early childhood to adulthood, and combine protection, empowerment and participation. Since Germany already has sufficient knowledge and rules but lacks implementation, the recommendations serve as the starting point for a long-term, adaptive strategy involving all responsible actors. 

Federal Minister for Youth Karin Prien: "The commission's recommendations provide important momentum for a modern child and youth policy in the digital age. They make clear that we need to make better use of the potential of digitalization while effectively strengthening the protection of young people. This includes holding platform providers structurally accountable and designing digital services to be safer and more child-friendly from the outset.” 

The commission's final report, including the results of the child and youth participation process and contributions from the expert hearings, will follow in September 2026.

For more information: https://www.bmbfsfj.bund.de/bmbfsfj/expertenkommission-veroeffentlicht-handlungsempfehlungen-290226

Source: Youth Wiki Unit Germany