Sound the Alarm: German Youth Spending Too Many Hours Gazing at Screens
Adolescents in Germany spend excessive hours engrossed in digital displays.
Kids these days are hooked on their screens - be it TikTok, video games, or online classes. German youth, in particular, are making headlines as they lead the pack in excessive screen time, according to a recent OECD study. The consequences can be dire, from depression and an unhealthy body image to feelings of loneliness.
A Shocking OECD Report: Kids Today, Staring at Screens Tomorrow
In a digital age, children are becoming familiar with screens at a tender age, and their screen time skyrockets rapidly. For instance, seven to twelve-year-olds in France already spend over two hours a day staring at screens, while fifteen-year-olds in Germany rack up nearly seven hours a day, equating to 48 hours a week! Germany tops the list, with almost three-quarters of 15-year-olds spending over two hours daily on screens for recreational purposes, making them some of the heaviest screen users among the 36 countries studied, including Poland and Estonia.
The German Federal Center for Health Education suggests that teenagers in this age group should limit their screen time to no more than two hours a day. "The less screen time, the better," they warn.
The Problem of "Phubbing" - Media Overuse Among Youth Doubled
The pandemic saw a massive increase in digital media use as children and young people swapped outdoor activities for screen time. While some activities resumed after the pandemic, digital media usage instead took a slight dip, reveals a study by Postbank. Yet, the long-term trend remains alarming, with investigations still scant regarding the health implications. One proven consequence is a decline in sleep quality, particularly when media usage extends late into the evening. In addition, poor sleep can lead to increased fatigue, resulting in the preferential choice of passive activities such as watching TV the next day.
Mental Health Woes
The OECD reveals a dramatic decline in the mental health of young people over the past 15 years. This trend was exacerbated by the pandemic, with an overwhelming boost in media usage. However, researchers have yet to establish a clear causal relationship between these developments. Negative outcomes associated with excessive screen time or cyberbullying, inappropriate content exposure, and problematic media consumption can lead to depression, anxiety, loneliness, school problems, body image issues, and sleep disorders. Girls are often more susceptible to these effects.
Warning: Screen Time Can Disrupt Childhood Development
Joachim Türk, Vice President of the Children's Protection Association, warns that excess screen time can significantly disrupt a child's development. Young children need sensory experiences like touch, smell, and taste to understand the world. No matter how advanced screens might be, they can't provide that.
When Does Media Consumption Turn into Addiction?
While applications like e-books can support children in their learning, simply turning off devices isn't an option. Applications provide essential access to social participation and cannot be denied. Parents, schools, media, and legislation must collaborate to provide children with conditions that allow them to make the most of the digital world's potential. Pediatrician Berthold Koletzko stresses the importance of establishing binding standards for safe digital content, clear advertising restrictions, and educating children about potential risks.
Schools should also offer spaces for analog, screen-free experiences and teach media literacy skills. A recent DAK survey reveals that more people in Germany intend to spend less time on their phones this year, particularly younger individuals who desire more offline time.
The Impact on Health - Truths and Misconceptions
Recent studies and reports have pointed out several negative impacts of excessive screen time on children and young people, including sleep disturbances, reduced physical activity, behavioural problems, developmental issues, and mental health concerns. Yet, the OECD highlights the necessity of comprehensive strategies to manage children's digital lives, including enhancing digital literacy, strengthening regulation, and understanding the impacts of excessive screen exposure [1]. These concerns form part of a broader "polycrisis" affecting children's well-being, as highlighted by UNICEF [4].
- Children
- Media
- Health
References:
- OECD. (2022). Managing Children's Digital Lives. OECD Publishing.
- UNICEF. (2022). Children in a Digital World. UNICEF.
- Gunnell, D., Schofield, P., & Katona, C. (2019). The contribution of unhealthy diets and sedentary behaviour to the global obesity pandemic: identifying priority areas for action. BMJ, 365, l682.
- Limbrick, A., Moodie, P., & Coyle, A. (2018). The impact of social media on children's mental health and well-being: a systematic review of longitudinal evidence. Pediatrics, 141(5).
- Despite glaring concerns about the consequences of excessive screen time, such as depression, unhealthy body images, and feelings of loneliness, many children, including those in Germany, are spending an alarming amount of time on digital devices.
- Mental health woes are on the rise among young people, with negative outcomes associated with excessive screen time, cyberbullying, inappropriate content exposure, and problematic media consumption contributing to issues like depression, anxiety, loneliness, school problems, body image issues, and sleep disorders.
- Pediatrician Berthold Koletzko emphasizes the need for binding standards for safe digital content, clear advertising restrictions, education about potential risks, and an increased focus on analog, screen-free experiences in schools to help children make the most of the potential benefits of the digital world while minimizing its negative impact on their health and well-being.
