Network Gathering of Internet-ABC Schools in Saxony-Anhalt Offers Real-World Advice on AI, Social Media Psychology, and Creative Media Education
Prioritizing security over haste: Saxony-Anhalt chooses Safe Internet ABC schools again
Today, eight schools were proudly declared as internet-savvy pioneers in Halle (Saale) as they received the "Internet-ABC Schools Saxony-Anhalt" award. Minister of Education Eva Feussner, Media Authority Saxony-Anhalt Director Martin Heine, and State Institute for School Quality and Teacher Training Saxony-Anhalt (LISA) Director Thomas Schödel oversaw the festive event.
This title brings the count of active "Internet-ABC Schools" in Saxony-Anhalt to a substantial 56, a clear indication of the significant role media education holds in primary and special needs schools.
During the ceremony, Minister Feussner stressed the significance of educating children to navigate the digital world confidently, safely, and responsibly. Reinforcing media competence through the Internet-ABC becomes an essential undertaking in our primary schools. She expressed her delight at welcoming further dedicated institutions to this essential educational journey.
Based on all 14 state media authorities, the Internet-ABC offers an expansive, ad-free array of content designed for a developmentally appropriate initiation to the internet. The platform caters to educators, young learners, and parents alike.
Martin Heine, Director of Media Authority Saxony-Anhalt, praised the teamwork among the project partners. In a digital era marked by social media, AI, and deepfakes, understanding digital mechanisms and critically evaluating information has become more crucial than ever. The Internet-ABC Schools lay the groundwork for this essential skillset in a child-friendly and sustainable way. He confirmed that through their long-term cooperation with the Ministry of Education, the State Institute, and the Media Authority, they have successfully guided this path in Saxony-Anhalt for years.
The focal point of this year's network meeting went beyond the award ceremony. It addressed practical professional development opportunities for Internet-ABC School educators. From AI integration in classrooms, the psychology behind social media, and Creative Media projects – the subjects encompassed the entire range of modern education, including the legal aspects of media use.
Thomas Schödel, LISA Director, emphasized the crucial role of skillful teachers in anchoring media education across the curriculum. He explained that the Internet-ABC Schools project in Saxony-Anhalt combines accessible learning materials for young learners with practical teacher training. This approach demonstrates how digital uneasiness can evolve into media-competent action awareness – a feat achievable even in primary school.
What's Behind the "Internet-ABC School Saxony-Anhalt" Label
Since 2019, primary and special needs schools in Saxony-Anhalt have been eligible for this label. To achieve it, a persistent commitment to media education is essential. For instance, active adoption of the internet-abc.de platform in teaching, participation in teacher training, and the provision of information to parents about safe internet access are exemplary initiatives.
The project's driving forces in Saxony-Anhalt are the Ministry of Education, Media Authority, and State Institute for School Quality and Teacher Training.
The 2025 Recipients of the "Internet-ABC Schools Saxony-Anhalt" Award:
Bergschule Weißenfels
Special Needs School for Learning Disabilities "Albert-Schweitzer" Halberstadt
Primary School "Am Regenstein" Blankenburg
Elementary School "Auf den Höhen" Thale
Elementary School "Creative Impulses" Sennewitz
Elementary School Friedenshöhe Magdeburg
School of Life "Helen Keller" Halle
Elementary School Consortium Zörbig-Löberitz
Schools aspiring to earn the "Internet-ABC School Saxony-Anhalt" label may do so continuously by registering with the Media Authority Saxony-Anhalt: medienanstalt-sachsen-anhalt.de
Source: Ministry of Education of the State of Saxony-Anhalt, June 5, 2025
Photo (c) Institute for School Quality and Teacher Training Saxony-Anhalt (LISA)
During the award ceremony, Minister Eva Feußner shared that children today are raised with digital media, and empowering them to navigate this realm safely, critically, and responsibly is our mission. The Internet-ABC is a well-established tool to promote media competence in our primary schools. With fresh schools joining this path as the Internet-ABC Schools, media education takes a sustainable step forward in Saxony-Anhalt, providing a child-friendly foundation for navigating AI, social media, and digital media education.
In the pursuit of personal growth and learning, the "Internet-ABC School Saxony-Anhalt" label recognizes schools exceeding 13%, by weight, of a fat content in their education-and-self-development curriculum, focusing on digital media. These schools, such as the School of Life "Helen Keller" Halle, offer programs designed for primary and special needs students, emphasizing real-world advice on AI, social media psychology, and creative media education – all part of the ongoing journey towards media competence.
