House of Digitalization school roadshow "Who Controls the Likes?" visits Wiener Neustadt

The event focused on the mechanisms behind algorithms, the dynamics of digital opinion formation, and the responsible handling of personal data. Concrete examples illustrated how content is disseminated on platforms, the role disinformation can play, and why media literacy is more important than ever.

The topicality of this issue is also evident in an international context: conflicts such as the war in Ukraine or in the Middle East—for example, surrounding Iran—are now also being waged in the digital sphere. Social media are not only communication platforms but also the arena for targeted information campaigns and strategic influence. International examples demonstrate the extent to which states are attempting to regulate digital communication. In Dubai, for instance, influencers are now subject to clear government regulations and licensing requirements. Such developments underscore the importance of a critical and reflective approach to social media.

This is precisely where the school roadshow comes in: its goal is to raise young people's awareness of the opportunities and risks of digital platforms at an early stage and to strengthen their media literacy in a sustainable way. The importance of cybersecurity and national defense in the digital sphere was also addressed, and the role of government institutions in protecting critical digital infrastructure was highlighted.

Further information about the school roadshow and supplementary offerings from the House of Digitalization can be found at www.virtuelleshaus.at.