Digital technologies are transforming more and more everyday social situations and interactions into so-called hybrid situations that have both physical and virtual components. Although this development has many advantages, it also entails risks for the informational self-determination of all those involved. For example, smart speakers listen in on physical encounters or photos of such encounters are immediately shared in messenger groups - often without the knowledge or consent of those involved. Social pressure can also significantly influence the decisions of those present about their privacy. The SoPrivAdo project is therefore investigating how different social situations and interactions affect the privacy decisions of young people.
As part of the “SoPrivAdo” project, educational materials and a serious game are being developed to convey knowledge in a playful way. The goal is to enable young people between the ages of 16 and 25 to maintain and strengthen their informational self-determination in shared digital environments. To this end, the researchers are closely involving the target group in the project's development process. The development is based on studies in which cognitive and social factors influencing the privacy decisions of young people are examined. An ethical analysis will contribute to recommendations for the responsible use of digital technologies. The results obtained will form the basis for the development of the educational materials and the serious game.
It is planned that the serious game and the educational materials will be used as an innovative means of conveying knowledge and promoting skills. In the future, the results will also be transferred to other age groups and contexts, which can strengthen self-determination and sovereignty beyond the target group for many citizens.
01/2025 until 12/2027