LKA Leader to Connect with Youth via Online Gaming Community - LKA head intends to communicate with the youth via a gaming platform
Thorsten Massinger, the newly appointed president of the Lower Saxony State Criminal Police Office (LKA), is making waves in the digital sphere. Massinger, who took over from Friedo de Vries on May 1, is advocating for a stronger police presence online to educate young people about potential dangers and protect them from emerging threats.
One of the innovative initiatives under Massinger's leadership is the establishment of a specialized Twitch team within the LKA. This unit, which focuses on addressing online safety and gaming-related issues for young people, targets the specific challenges and risks that arise in digital and gaming environments, particularly on platforms like Twitch.
The Twitch team's approach includes monitoring and investigating criminal activities, raising awareness among young people and their families, collaborating with platform providers, providing educational outreach and prevention, and supporting victims of online offenses. The team's work is designed to adapt traditional law enforcement methods to the evolving digital landscape where young people spend significant time.
The Hannover Police Directorate has been streaming on Twitch since the end of last year, making it the first police authority in Germany to do so. The "Twitch Officers" play video games, chat, and answer questions as part of a pilot project. Experts from the LKA also make appearances on the stream, offering advice and guidance on how to navigate online gaming safely, including recognising suspicious behaviour and understanding privacy settings.
Online grooming, a significant concern for young users, is a key focus for the Twitch team. Perpetrators of online grooming manipulate their young chat partners and may encourage them to send naked pictures or videos. Stalking by ex-partners is also a concern for many young women, and it affects them on platforms like Twitch.
Massinger has expressed concern about young people radicalising themselves on the internet. He also wants to raise awareness among parents about digital crime, suggesting that looking at comments on popular platforms among young people can be shocking.
With approximately 2.5 to 4 million people using the gaming platform Twitch daily, the LKA's Twitch team is a vital resource for young gamers. The team's work underscores the general trend of modern police units specialising in digital and social media environments to enhance youth protection online.
The LKA, as the central authority for combating crime in the federal state, has approximately 1,300 employees. The organisation's commitment to digital safety and youth protection is evident in the establishment of the Twitch team and the regular streaming by the Hannover Police Directorate.
As Massinger continues to lead the LKA, his focus on digital crime and the protection of young people is expected to shape the organisation's approach to law enforcement in the digital age. For young gamers across Lower Saxony, the Twitch team offers a valuable resource for navigating the complex and ever-evolving digital landscape.
IKA President Thorsten Massinger, recognizing the importance of personal growth and career development in today's digital age, has established a specialized Twitch team within the IKA to educate children about online safety and gaming-related issues, and protect them from emerging threats. This team's work, focusing on addressing crime and providing educational outreach, is designed to adapt traditional law enforcement methods to the evolving digital landscape, fostering the overall education-and-self-development of young people in society.
