Social Media Scouts

The Social Media Scouts are a project of the Oberberg Media Initiative (OMI). Since 2016, students in grades 7 to 9 together with teachers have been trained to become points of contact for media literacy at their schools. The goal is to support young people in using digital media safely, critically, and responsibly, and to share this knowledge with their fellow students.

The training takes place as part of a three-day seminar. Participants deal with current topics in the digital world. The content includes, among other things, the legal and psychological aspects of cyberbullying, the conscious use of social media, radicalization processes on the internet, as well as methods for planning and implementing their own projects at schools. Additionally, the youths acquire moderation techniques and learn how to communicate their knowledge clearly and in a way that is appropriate for their target audience.

After qualification, the Social Media Scouts apply their knowledge directly at their schools. They organize information events and project days, support fellow students with questions about digital media, and contribute to prevention programs. Together with the also trained teachers, they help to sustainably anchor media literacy in everyday school life.

The training is regularly supplemented by thematic expert days, where current developments are addressed, and the scouts' knowledge is deepened.