Suche
Mein Konto
Media addiction among children: This is how we react in the north!
Over 8 million Germans are fighting addiction. NDR supports prevention projects in northern Germany to combat media addiction.
Media addiction among children: This is how we react in the north!
In Germany, more than eight million adults suffer from an addiction, which is around ten percent of the population. This number arises from a variety of challenges that include both substance-related addictions and internet use disorders. NDR informs that the focus is particularly on young people when it comes to this problem, as the topic of internet and media addiction has grown significantly in recent years. This is reason enough for the “Hand in Hand” campaign, which is increasingly supporting addiction prevention projects this year.
The initiative is carried out in cooperation with the General Parity Association and the five northern German regional associations. A central project is the Oldenburg Girls' House, which helps young women learn how to use digital media safely and respectfully. The girls' house is proving to be an important starting point for raising awareness of the dangers of excessive media consumption.
Media usage habits
The use of digital media in particular has changed dramatically. A recent study shows that children and young people aged 10 to 17 spend an average of over two hours playing video games on weekdays and even more on weekends. DAK has found that while the numbers are similar to last year, they are below pre-pandemic levels. Interestingly, the study found a high prevalence of risky media use, especially in the gaming area: around 3.4% of young people show pathological use.
Over 1.3 million children and young people with problematic usage patterns have been identified for social media. While usage remains stable, parents show an ambivalent attitude towards digital media use. They recognize the opportunities, but also see the serious risks. The majority of parents demand more social commitment to ensure that their children grow up safely.
Phubbing and its effects
Another phenomenon that is receiving increasing attention in the context of media use is so-called phubbing, in which people neglect contact with their surroundings through their smartphone use. According to the DAK study, 29.2% of children and 35.2% of parents feel ignored as a result. This not only leads to conflicts in the family, but also potentially higher psychological burdens such as stress and anxiety for those affected.
The numbers are alarming and underline the urgency of taking preventative measures. The Oldenburg girls' home with its approach to promoting responsible use of media is a step in the right direction. This also shows that the need for education and support is great.
In summary, it is clear that the problem of media addiction is a complex issue that affects both individual health and social interaction. Cooperation between different initiatives and those affected themselves are necessary to effectively combat these challenges.