This year’s BEA 2025 marked more than just the inauguration of the impressive new Festhalle Bern—it became the stage for a timely and essential discussion about the safety of our youngest digital citizens.
In an event hosted by Swiss Cyber, experts, thought leaders, and concerned members of the public gathered around a common cause: addressing the increasing risks children and teenagers face online.
At the center of this important dialogue was Nicolas Mayencourt, CEO of Dreamlab Technologies and a longstanding voice in cybersecurity advocacy. In his keynote, “Dopamine Nation,” Mayencourt illuminated how today’s digital platforms are engineered to capture attention—and how this design disproportionately affects young users.
“We’re not just dealing with threats from criminals,” he noted.
“We’re up against business models built on behavioral manipulation.”
Moderated by Swiss National Councillor Ueli Schmezer, the event sparked honest and necessary conversations—not only about the dangers of excessive screen time, but also about rising anxiety, online radicalization, and emotional isolation in youth. The consensus was clear: meaningful solutions must involve parents, educators, and the entire community.
Other powerful voices on stage included:
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Fernanda Gurzeler-Hofer, Bern Cantonal Police: on the online abuse and manipulation of minors
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Tamara Parham & Adrian Essl, Kinderschutz Schweiz: on strategies to protect children in the digital world
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Christian Imfeld, Pro Juventute: on media literacy as a vital form of digital self-defense
The event reinforced what Nicolas Mayencourt has long emphasized: that cybersecurity isn’t just a technical issue—it’s deeply human. And when it comes to children, there’s no room for complacency.