Preventing extremism: Students learn from former radicals

Preventing extremism: Students learn from former radicals

In an impressive event at the Vaterstetten secondary school on June 20, 2025, the topic of extremism and leaving the right-wing scene was addressed. Felix Benneckenstein, a former extremist, shares his experiences and provides valuable insights into the dangers associated with extremist influences, particularly through social media. This event is aimed specifically at students in the 8th and 9th grades.

How Mercury reports, the event was brought to life by the committed co-organizers Xenia Mergler and Sebastian Brunner from the support association. The approximately two-hour event also included a discussion session in which students reported on their own experiences with discriminatory influences. It became clear that there is a desire for regular events on this topic.

The dangers of social media

Felix Benneckenstein gave an impressive warning about the dangers posed by social networks. Children and young people between the ages of 12 and 15 are particularly vulnerable to right-wing extremist content, which is often appealing and emotionally charged. The bpb highlights that this content is increasingly distributed via platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram. Young people must learn to recognize such content and question it critically.

The relevance of these topics is also reflected in the current figures: in 2023, three out of five young people between the ages of 12 and 19 will actively use TikTok. Emotional posts that incite fear or anger often reach high levels and act as catalysts for extremist beliefs. A worrying trend that has become more important in Germany since 2019.

Find common solutions

In order to meet these challenges, schools are required to promote their students' media literacy. Teachers should receive targeted training so that they can support their students in using social media. It is important to promote a critical examination of the content and to make students aware of how easily they can be influenced by right-wing extremist ideologies.

An important component in this educational offer are the planned further events, which include a music workshop by the “Banda Comunale” on July 7th and 8th. This workshop will address topics such as diversity, racism, migration, home and understanding and will be supported by the TRUMA Foundation. The parents' council and the principal Stefan Gasior are also important supporters of this important initiative.

Given the proximity of extremist content and real-world actions, it is crucial that students learn how to engage critically with this content. Youth and media describes how the spread of extremist messages often takes the form of entertainment or satire, which further complicates the challenge for young people. A forward-looking step is therefore for schools to increasingly anchor these topics in their curricula. Together we can make an active contribution to protecting our social values.