Screen Time Screw-up: German Youth Spending Way Too Much Time in Front of Digital Devices
Excessive Screen Time Prevalent Among German Adolescents
Kids these days are spending way too much time staring at screens—smartphones, tablets, TVs, you name it. And the German youth are taking the cake, logging in almost seven hours a day, according to a new OECD study. Here's a rundown of the potential health consequences and who's at the highest risk.
The German Screen Time Showdown
Kids are becoming tech-savvy at younger ages, and once they get a taste of those digital screens, their screen time skyrockets. In France, 7-12-year-olds already spend over two hours a day in front of screens. In Germany, it's 15-year-olds who lead the pack, with a staggering almost seven hours daily. Germany is among the countries with the highest screen-time usage, with almost three-quarters of 15-year-olds spending more than two hours a day on screens for entertainment, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Only four countries have higher values, including Poland and Estonia. The Federal Center for Health Education recommends that teenagers in this age group limit their screen time to no more than two hours.
The Quality of Sleep Matters
High screen consumption, especially during the evening hours, can have a negative impact on sleep quality. This sets off a vicious cycle, as poor sleep in young people often leads to increased fatigue, making them opt for passive activities, such as watching TV, the next day. It's particularly problematic if children and young people have a smartphone, computer or TV in their bedrooms.
Mental Health Woes
The mental health of young people has deteriorated significantly in the last 15 years, according to the OECD. While a direct causal relationship between excessive screen time and mental health issues hasn't been clearly proven, it's clear that negative effects can occur, such as cyberbullying or exposure to inappropriate content. Studies suggest that excessive screen consumption increases the risk of depression, anxiety, loneliness, school difficulties, body image problems, and sleep disorders, with girls often being more affected.
A Developmental Disruptor
Excessive screen time can significantly hinder a child's development. Young children need sensory input like touch, smell, and taste to truly understand the world, which no smart screen can provide. Older children and teens risk losing the ability to focus on one thing for an extended period due to the constant stream of TikToks and reels. In Germany, over half of 10-year-olds already own a smartphone, and the number varies depending on social class. By the age of 15, almost all have their own device.
The Digital Potential
While the long-term consequences of excessive screen time are concerning, it's important to note that many applications can support children's learning. Simply turning off screens isn't an option, as the digital world brings immense potential for children. Parents, schools, media outlets, and policymakers must create the conditions that allow children to harness this potential while minimizing the risks.
The Call for Standards
The question of whether digital media presents more opportunities or risks isn't the main issue, according to Berthold Koletzko, pediatrician and chairman of the Foundation for Child Health. The focus should be on creating binding standards for safe digital content, clear advertising restrictions, and more awareness of risks. Educational institutions should teach media literacy and create spaces for analog experiences, free from phones and tablets.
Long-term effects of excessive screen time on health and mental development for children and young people can have several negative impacts, including obesity, sleep problems, myopia, reduced physical activity, brain development delays, mental health issues, social and emotional delays, and increased risk of suicidal behavior. The EU aims to create a safer online environment with the Digital Services Act, and some schools are implementing phone-free policies to reduce screen time during school hours.
Sources: ntv.de, Jan Christoph Freybott, dpa
Tags: Children, Media, Studies
- The OECD study suggests that the German youth are spending nearly seven hours daily on digital devices for entertainment, which is one of the highest screen-time usage among 15-year-olds in the countries surveyed.
- Studies indicate that excessive screen consumption may potentially increase the risk of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, loneliness, school difficulties, body image problems, and sleep disorders, with girls often being more affected.
- Digital applications can support children's learning, but it's crucial for parents, schools, media outlets, policymakers, and educational institutions to create conditions that allow children to harness this potential while minimizing the risks, by promoting media literacy and creating spaces for analog experiences.
