This week, Germany’s public children’s channel KiKA began airing a five-part series titled “Klimagefühle” (“Climate Emotions”). According to the broadcaster, the program aims to help children better understand emotions such as climate anxiety, anger, and guilt. The series was developed with the consultation of psychologist Katharina van Bronswijk from Psychologists for Future. The first episode aired on June 10 during the early evening slot.
Anja Arndt, Member of the European Parliament for the ESN Group, issued the following statement:
“This series deliberately instills fear in children’s bedrooms. This is not education – it is emotional manipulation, financed by mandatory broadcasting fees. Children don’t need panic; they need confidence in life!
According to the Barmer Doctor Report 2024, more and more children and adolescents are showing psychological abnormalities, including an increase in climate-related anxiety disorders. Children aged 11 to 17 are particularly affected. The report indicates that ‘disaster-oriented media content’ can intensify this development.
Children need emotional security – not daily apocalyptic scenarios in children’s programming!
A shocking extreme case illustrates the danger: In April 2025, a 16-year-old carried out an attack on a Catholic high school in Nantes, motivated by his ‘fear of ecocide.’
What might appear to be an isolated incident may in fact be the result of years of relentless climate panic indoctrination through media content.”
Therefore, we as AfD/ESN demand:
The immediate review and cancellation of the “Klimagefühle” series
A clear separation between educational content and political activism in ARD and ZDF programming
The creation of a child protection oversight body for public broadcasting content
“We reject this state-sponsored climate panic being brought into our children’s rooms.
ARD and ZDF have long betrayed their educational mandate – they must be reformed or dismantled.”
