The school roadshow “Who controls the likes?” kicks off on February 24th at the HLW Amstetten.

From left to right: ecoplus House of Digitalization Managing Director Claus Zeppelzauer, Provincial Councillor for Education Christiane Teschl-Hofmeister, Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner, Minister of Defense Klaudia Tanner, ecoplus House of Digitalization Managing Director Lukas Reutterer

(February 22, 2026) – Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner emphasizes: “Digital skills are a key resource for the future of our province. With the school roadshow, we are raising awareness of online manipulation and equipping young people with the tools to critically examine information and act autonomously.”

The focus is on the digital mechanisms that shape the everyday lives of young people: How do trends emerge? Who influences reach? And what interests lie behind seemingly neutral content? The roadshow imparts fundamental knowledge about social media, disinformation, and cybersecurity, thereby strengthening students' critical media literacy.

From left to right: Provincial Councillor for Education Christiane Teschl-Hofmeister, Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner, Minister of Defense Klaudia Tanner

Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner states: “Cyberspace has long been an integral part of our security policy environment. Prevention today primarily means education. When young people understand how algorithms control content and what intentions might lie behind it, they are better protected against manipulation.”

Regional Education Minister Christiane Teschl-Hofmeister also underscores the importance of the initiative: “Students naturally move within digital environments. It is therefore all the more important to provide them with a sound understanding of digital processes and to strengthen their critical thinking skills. Those who recognize the underlying mechanisms can better contextualize content and recognize manipulation attempts early on.”

Beyond the school roadshow, further joint measures are planned: In March 2026, a training course for managers of critical infrastructure will take place at the ecoplus House of Digitalization, in cooperation with the Federal Ministry of the Interior and the Federal Ministry of Defence. Additionally, an information event for small and medium-sized enterprises is planned, providing practical insights into current threat situations and effective protective measures.