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Is the internet raising Germany's children?

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June 5, 2026

What does growing up online look like in 2026? From AI "friends" to addictive algorithms, we follow German families navigating an internet that is becoming harder to control — and ask if children can be kept safe online.

A look inside Germany's digital childhood reveals how easily kids bypass weak safeguards and encounter harmful content online. Despite strict laws, poor enforcement leaves children exposed to bullying, grooming, extremism and AI-driven manipulation. Experts warn that algorithms and chatbots can foster dependency and radicalization, while parents struggle to keep up. As platforms profit from engagement, critics say protecting children remains an urgent, unresolved challenge.

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