Screens Galore: Why German Kids Spend Too Much Time on their Devices and the Health Risks Involved
Young Germans are overindulging in screen time.
Kids these days are glued to their screens - gaming, scrolling, and learning. However, a new study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reveals that German youth stand out with excessive screen time, clocking in almost seven hours daily. Here's what all that screen time means for their health, who's particularly affected and what can be done to curb its negative impacts.
A Vicious Circle: Screens and Sleep
From a young age, children are becoming more acquainted with screens, and their screen time increases rapidly. Despite the pandemic causing a boost in digital media usage, statistics show a slight decrease in the years that followed. However, the trend seems steady. The issue lies in nighttime screen usage, which can impair sleep quality and create a vicious cycle. Tired children prefer passive activities, like watching TV, instead of physical activities, setting the stage for more screen time the next day.
Mental Health Concerns
The OECD found that the mental health of young people has worsened over the past 15 years, with the pandemic accelerating the trend. However, a direct causal link between this and increased media usage remains unproven. Still, researchers warn of potential negative consequences due to excessive use, cyberbullying, or safekeeping secrets, especially among girls. Problematic media consumption is associated with higher risks of depression, anxiety, loneliness, school difficulties, body image issues, and sleep disorders.
Warning: Human Connection Faded
Joachim Türk, Vice-President of the Child Protection Association, warns that excessive screen time can significantly hinder children's development. Young children require sensory stimulation like touch, smell, and taste to truly understand the world, which screens cannot provide. For older children and teenagers, there's a risk they'll lose the ability to focus on one thing for an extended period due to the relentless stream of TikToks and reels.
Germany has one of the highest rates of screen time usage among teenagers, with over half of 10-year-olds already owning a smartphone. By the age of 15, almost all have a device of their own.
Addictive Media Consumption: A Concern for Parents and Teachers
While many applications, such as e-books, can support children and teenagers in their learning, especially for girls and better-off youth, an over-reliance on screens is a cause for concern. Kai Hanke, CEO of the German Children's Aid Organization, urges parents, schools, media, and legislation to create conditions for children to make the most of the digital world's potentials.
The Foundation for Child Health, echoes Hanke, arguing that clear standards for safe digital content, stricter advertising restrictions, and more education about risks are needed. Educational institutions play a crucial role in teaching media literacy and providing spaces for analog experiences, free from screens and other electronics.
In conclusion, excessive screen time among children and young people has several negative implications, affecting both physical and mental health. Parents, educators, and policymakers need to work together to balance digital and in-person experiences and ensure children grow up healthy and well-rounded.
- Excessive screen time among children, as detailed in the study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), can potentially impact their mental health, with problematic media consumption associated with higher risks of depression, anxiety, loneliness, school difficulties, body image issues, and sleep disorders.
- The escalating use of digital media among children, such as education via electronic devices, may prove beneficial, especially for girls and better-off youth, but an over-reliance on screens can hinder their development, impacting areas like focus and human connection (as warned by Joachim Türk, Vice-President of the Child Protection Association), and may also increase vulnerability to issues like cyberbullying.
