Germany's youth face surging digital sexual violence and online abuse

Digital sexualised violence among young people is rising sharply in Germany. Nearly two-thirds of those aged 14 to 25 have now experienced some form of online abuse, from sexualised insults to the sharing of intimate images. The issue has gained wider attention following public allegations by actress Collien Fernandes against her ex-husband, Christian Ulmen, highlighting how digital violence affects adults and minors alike. Over the past five years, studies show a clear increase in cases involving minors. In 2025, almost a quarter of young people reported being targeted by cybergrooming—where offenders build trust online before escalating to harassment or abuse. Another 24% had intimate images or videos shared without consent. Experts like Yasmina Ramdani point to several key factors: unsupervised internet access, peer pressure, a desire to fit in, and a lack of parental guidance.

Ramdani led a three-year pilot project in Thuringia's schools, delivering prevention workshops to around 5,000 students in grades five to eight. Using tools like bingo sheets, she helped pupils recognise and discuss their own experiences with digital violence. Many incidents occur not with strangers but within friend groups or class chats, often due to naivety about the consequences. Teachers acknowledge the urgency of the problem but frequently feel ill-equipped to handle it. Parents, too, play a critical role—experts urge them to reflect on their own digital behaviour and openly discuss boundaries with their children. Prevention, Ramdani stresses, is far more cost-effective than dealing with the long-term trauma and social fallout of such violence.

The data underscores a growing crisis, with nearly half of all young people now exposed to online sexualised violence. Schools, parents, and policymakers face mounting pressure to act. Without targeted prevention, the emotional and social costs—both for victims and wider society—will continue to climb.