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Johannes B. Kerner Urges Human‑First Tech, Critiques Social Media

In a teleschau interview, the ZDF host describes conflicted views on digital life, conceding his own time-wasting on Insta reels.

Overview

  • Kerner says technology should make life better for people and warns that algorithms must never outrank human needs.
  • He targets social platforms for pushing instant reactions, calling for more restraint before responding online.
  • The 60-year-old concedes he is no ideal role model, admitting to scrolling trivial Instagram reels as a time-killer.
  • As a father of four, he voices mixed concern about younger users yet notes that children sometimes choose to put their phones aside.
  • His comments land as he leads four ZDF year-end broadcasts: Ein Herz für Kinder (Dec 6), Der Quiz-Champion – The 2025 Special (Dec 23), Weihnachten mit dem Bundespräsidenten (Dec 24), and Willkommen 2026 (Dec 31).