Safer Internet Day 2026 – Participation in the Conference of the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection and Bitkom e.V.

On 10 February 2026, the Safer Internet Day will once again take place—an international day of action that aims to raise awareness worldwide for a safer, more responsible, and more reflective use of the internet. In Germany, the initiative is coordinated by the EU project klicksafe and accompanied by numerous events, workshops, and conferences.

We are pleased that Prof. Dr. Benedikt Morschheuser, representing the Gamification Research Group at Otto-Friedrich-Universit?t Bamberg, will take part this year in theSafer Internet Day 2026 conference organized by the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection (BMJV) and Bitkom e. V. in Berlin. The event brings together representatives from politics, industry, academia, and civil society to discuss key issues related to digital consumer and user protection.

This year’s conference focuses on the discussion “Age Verification, Dark Patterns, and In-Game Purchases – What Will the Digital Fairness Act Change?”. The debate addresses the design of digital services, transparency, protection against manipulative design practices, and new regulatory frameworks in the digital space.

In this context, gamification will also play an important role. Game-like elements are increasingly used in digital systems but are frequently criticized—particularly in connection with dark patterns. This makes it all the more important to take a differentiated view of current research findings and to explore how research can support developers in creating safe and responsible digital platforms. The Safer Internet Day provides a valuable platform for exchange and discussion in this regard. We are looking forward to the conversations, diverse perspectives, and impulses emerging from the conference.