As an association for media education, medialepfade.org develops innovative concepts to explore new media pathways of learning and participation.

medialepfade.org

• Jugend Hackt (Coding for youth)
• DataSkop (Understanding algorithms)
• ULAT (Unlearning Anti-feminism on TikTok)
• Media Competence Center in Berlin, Lichtenberg

Example Projects

Project AntiAnti

@wirsindantianti

• Key educational pillars:
  • Media literacy integrated with political education
  • Critical thinking in political contexts
  • Decoding subliminal extremist online-narratives
  • Understanding platform mechanics and business models
  • Building ambiguity tolerance

Our Prevention Framework

• Media criticism + active media production
• Creating safe analysis spaces (i.e. by simulating platform interfaces for controlled analysis)
• Balancing authentic examples with ethical concerns
• Participatory learning structures

Methodological Approach

Dagstuhl Triangle

Based on the Dagstuhl Triangle for Digital Education (GI, 2016)

• AfD performance among first-time voters (recent elections)
• Influence of right-wing actors on TikTok (Tjaden et al. 2024)
• Online-offline connection: Digital mobilization leading to real-world actions
• Shifting discourse boundaries: Previously extreme positions becoming normalized

Current Challenges in Germany

Platforms we analyze:

• TikTok (primary focus for recent work)
• Instagram
• Messenger services (Telegram)

Content types we target:

• Pseudo-journalistic formats
• Lifestyle-embedded political messaging
• Trend-based extremist content
• Coded language and symbols

Focus Platforms and Content Types

Engagement Logic and Platform Mechanics

How this is exploited:

• Actors deliberately approach but don't cross moderation boundaries
• Content is designed to maximize emotional responses
• Platform mechanics are studied and exploited

• Algorithms favor provocative content that generates reactions
• Engagement increases as content approaches platform policy boundaries
• Emotionally charged content gets more views and reactions

Ellison, J., Kao, J., & Merrill, J. (2023). "Using Facebook's Own Data to Understand the Platform's Role in Jan. 6."

The Role of Sounds on TikTok

• Sounds function as content, meme, and hashtag simultaneously
• New target groups are reached through strategic sound use
• Sound creates emotional connection and recognition

• "Fashwave" and "Tradwave" aesthetics use specific visual styles
• Glorification of "traditional" lifestyles
• Pop culture references with extremist political messages subtly introduced

New Right Aesthetics

Historical Revisionism

Pseudo-Journalism

• Successful formats are copied (e.g. street surveys)

• Normalization of right-wing ideologies

• Appearance, speech, and filming locations not associated with right-wing ideology                      

Specific Online-Strategies

• Dogwhistling: Using coded language understood by insiders (e.g., "drink milk everyday")
• Hashtag hijacking: Taking over trending hashtags for ideological purposes ("Stolz"-Monat)
• Specific emojis as coded signals (🐸, 🥝, ...)
• Numerical codes (18, 28, 88, ...)

Quelle: https://www.belltower.news/hass-emojis-welche-emojis-sind-bei-nazis-rechtsradikalen-rassistinnen-beliebt-113061/

Hitlergruß:

• Purpose: Decode implicit anti-feminist messages
• Target age: 14+ years
• Duration: 45-60 minutes

Method Showcase:

Anti-Feminism TikTok Puzzle (Prototype)

Method Showcase: Analysis Dimensions

Content domains

Screen as game board

Strategic use of emotions

Rating what drives algorithmic engagement

Analyzing comments and hashtags

Identifying common extremist narratives

• Recognition of cross-domain influence
• Understanding of engagement-driven amplification
• Identification of emotional manipulation techniques
• Patterns across different content types
• Shift in understanding from "what I like" to "how this is designed to influence me"

Key Insights

Challenges:

• Growing demand exceeds our resources
• Increasing polarization in classrooms
• Digital divides in access and literacy

Looking forward:

• Further integration into school curricula
• Building long-term school partnerships
• Expanded teacher training programs
• Disseminating  open educational resources

Current Situation and Next Steps