Overview
- Bitkom Research published its nationwide survey on Oct. 20 after phone interviews with 1,006 people and found 87% use messenger apps and 72% feel at least occasionally overwhelmed by incoming messages.
- About 20% of users said they are frequently overwhelmed, 69% said they sometimes leave messages unanswered because it is too much, and 12% said that happens often.
- Three-quarters of respondents report at least occasional guilt for not replying quickly, with 75% saying they sometimes apologize for late answers.
- Older users feel the strain more strongly, with 78% of those 65 and older reporting at least occasional overwhelm versus 68% of 16–29-year-olds, and 69% said slow replies can be a reason to let a contact fade.
- Bitkom expert Sebastian Klöß and earlier May research from IU suggest much of the pressure is self-imposed, and the survey points to broader effects on daily mental load and social norms even though no policy or platform changes have been announced.