The internet has become an indispensable part of our everyday lives. It enables us to search for information, communicate with friends and family, shop, work and entertain ourselves. Despite the many benefits that digitalization brings, there are still people who face challenges in participating fully in the digital world. In addition, the Internet is increasingly being used as a tool to spread hate and disinformation. In the digital society, we at Deutsche Telekom are committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to participate in the digital world and live together according to democratic principles.
Our approach to inclusion and values in the digital society
We believe that three decisive factors enable equal participation in the digital society: Access, tariffs and end devices for every budget (affordability), and the ability and motivation to use digital media competently (ability).
- Access: To ensure equal access, Deutsche Telekom is continuously expanding its network and driving forward the development of technologies and products for various target groups.
- Affordability: Deutsche Telekom offers affordable tariffs and devices and services for those who need them most.
- Ability: Digital inclusion requires the ability to use digital media safely, competently and confidently. Deutsche Telekom supports people in this by providing free, easy-to-understand and entertaining materials on various aspects of media literacy.
In addition to our commitment to digital inclusion, we are committed to ensuring that everyone can participate in the digital world according to democratic principles. We promote democratic values such as diversity, tolerance, equal opportunities and social cohesion with a wide range of campaigns, initiatives and projects. At the same time, we are a vocal opponent of opinion manipulation, exclusion and hate online.
Digital education
In the digital society, we promote the connection of socially relevant institutions. We offer affordable tariffs, end devices and services for those who need them most, especially schools and educational institutions. With a comprehensive portfolio of consulting, operations and services as well as a wide range of socio-political commitments and voluntary initiatives, we are helping to digitize education so that everyone can participate.
Media literacy with Teachtoday
Adept handling of digital media begins with the ideal protection of one's own privacy and extends to the ability to recognize fake content. To cover the various aspects of media literacy, we offer free, easy-to-understand and entertaining materials across several platforms and formats. Our projects are aimed at different age groups and teach media literacy at eye level by offering interactive web formats and informative magazines. We are constantly expanding our offering to ensure that it is always up-to-date and relevant.
Our “Teachtoday” initiative supports children and young people, parents and grandparents as well as educational professionals with everyday tips and materials on safe and competent media use.
We think media literacy beyond national borders: an overview of our internationally available platforms and formats is available on “Teachtoday International”.
Deutsche Telekom Stiftung
As one of the largest educational foundations in Germany, the Deutsche Telekom foundation is committed to improving education in the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Its programs and projects aim to equip children and young people between the ages of 6 and 18 with important skills for their education and life, both inside and outside of school. In addition to technical STEM skills, this also includes critical thinking, judgment, creativity, communication and teamwork skills. The foundation's activities range from organizing student competitions and providing innovative teaching materials to cooperating on a political and social level.
No Hate Speech
Since summer 2020, with our initiative “No Hate Speech” we have been campaigning for an internet in which everyone can take advantage of the opportunities offered by the digital world - without having to fear exclusion or hatred. With this campaign, we want to raise awareness and empower society to live and defend basic democratic values online. We also launch targeted initiatives to help strengthen democracy and coexistence in diversity. To this end, we cooperate with non-governmental organizations and partners who are working towards the same goal. With our commitment, we call on society to take a stand and promote digital civil courage.
