Study Reveals Alarming Rise in Problematic Social Media Use Among German Youth

Over a quarter of 10- to 17-year-olds in Germany exhibit risky or addictive digital media behavior, with significant increases since 2019.

A study by DAK-Gesundheit and the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf found that 4.7% of German youth aged 10 to 17 are addicted to social media, with over 25% showing risky or problematic usage patterns.
The prevalence of problematic social media use among youth has increased by 126% since 2019, with 1.3 million children and teens now affected.
Problematic gaming behavior impacts 12% of youth, with 3.4% classified as addicted, while streaming addiction affects 2.6% of young users, according to the study.
Experts warn that excessive digital media use disrupts education, social relationships, and family dynamics, with boys more likely to develop addictive behaviors than girls.
The study highlights the role of parents in mitigating risks, emphasizing the need for active involvement, media literacy, and consistent regulation of screen time.