At interactive hands-on stations, around 200 classmates from the sixth and seventh grades explored topics such as fake news, cyberbullying and the right to one's own image. In view of the increasing spread and use of artificial intelligence (AI), education and awareness-raising are becoming ever more important.

One vivid example was a supposed video from a disaster scenario: the Eiffel Tower is on fire and a reporter is reporting live from the scene. This video spread rapidly via the TikTok platform. But what many people don't realize: The scene never actually happened. The video is a so-called deepfake, a video created and manipulated using artificial intelligence. The "MedienScoutZ" used this example to illustrate how easy it is to create and disseminate deceptively real content.

Claudia Kramer, Chief Superintendent at the Salzgitter/Peine/Wolfenbüttel police station and officer for youth affairs, pointed out that the possibilities of artificial intelligence are increasingly being misused. For example, images of classmates are being altered and edited, sexualized content is being created and distributed without consent via social networks or in class chats. This not only violates the personal rights of others, but can also have serious legal consequences.

Educational work among peers through interactive hands-on stations:

The "MedienScoutZ" from the Gymnasium am Fredenberg informed their classmates at the interactive stations how to recognize manipulated image and video content and how to question fake news (false reports).

The Gottfried Die Linke secondary school focused on the topic of cyberbullying. This included questions such as: Where does bullying begin? What forms can it take? And what are the possible legal consequences?

The "MedienScoutZ" from the Hauptschule am Fredenberg provided information about the right to one's own image. The topics covered included the requirements for photographing people, the publication of images and the possible legal consequences of violations.

Around 200 pupils from the three schools took part with great commitment and exchanged ideas.

Claudia Kramer emphasized the particular importance of the project: "Pupils are often more likely to turn to their peers than to adults. Many of those affected do not speak openly about their experiences. There is a large number of unreported cases. Prevention work and early education are therefore crucial in order to protect those affected and solve crimes."

André Greco, media educator at the specialist service for children, young people and families, underlines the importance of this: "A significant proportion of young people have already experienced cyberbullying. In our increasingly digital world, it is important to strengthen social skills and promote the responsible use of media. This is precisely where our project comes in, which we will of course continue due to the positive response."