Introduction

The central focus of political socialization and citizenship education is to form the bedrock of a functioning democracy, primarily taking root during adolescence and shaped by the experiences of youth within their sociopolitical contexts (Eckstein, 2019, p 417). Influences range from vast, intricate phenomena such as the climate crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the war in Ukraine to more intimate socialization within peer groups, families, and schools. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly curtailed these essential socialization channels, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the future in terms of environmental conservation, education, and economic stability. Notably, climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic rank among the primary concerns of German youth, signalling a significant shift in public opinion on these political issues (Schoen, 2006). These considerations emphasize the need to incorporate the political attitudes of Germany's youth into decision-making processes, bolster citizenship education, and counter the spread of extremist and conspiracy-linked beliefs. Especially in times of crisis, extreme or conspiratorial political positions often offer a seemingly simple solution to the complex challenges of the time and usually spread when people are confronted with surprising and frightening events (van Prooijen and Douglas, 2017). Conspiracy theories often act as catalysts for violence. For instance, right-wing groups in Germany have been at the forefront of promoting extremist and conspiracy theory-fuelled violence, with movements such as the anti-vaccination movement and PEGIDA representing vivid examples (Körner, 2020, p 388)