German parents express uncertainty over AI and digital literacy

A survey by the Körber-Stiftung in Germany reveals that many parents feel uncertain regarding artificial intelligence. More than one-quarter of surveyed parents describe themselves as rather or very uncertain when dealing with AI applications, with only 20 percent expressing high confidence in their mastery of these tools. Approximately 55 percent of parents expressed a desire to close this knowledge gap.

Parents also reported concerns regarding their children's digital safety and literacy. Nearly half of the respondents (49 percent) believe their children struggle to distinguish between reliable information and misinformation. Additionally, 35 percent of parents feel poorly informed about their children's internet activities during leisure time.

In the context of media education, there is an ongoing debate regarding the necessity of screen time for developing media literacy. Some educators argue that children do not require direct access to digital media to become media-literate; instead, they suggest that analog, tactile experiences are essential for building the psychosocial maturity needed to navigate the digital world healthily in the future.