Mobile phone and young people: 7 hours of screen time, what is behind it?
Mobile phone and young people: 7 hours of screen time, what is behind it?
The mini series "My cell phone and I" illuminates the relationship between young people and their smartphones and at the same time addresses the challenges associated with the intensive use of digital media. One example is 14-year-old Silke, who describes her cell phone use at an average of 7 to 8 hours a day. Her first device received her at the age of 8 - a Samsung Galaxy A213. The most used apps are Snapchat, Instagram and WhatsApp.
Silke reports on her daily habits: In the morning she uses her cell phone to check her timetable, and on the way to school she listens to music and answers messages. During the school day, she puts her cell phone in the school bag or pocket, usually only for time control. Your views of social media are ambivalent; Although they offer the opportunity to make new contacts, they also lead to uncertainties by comparing with others. So she tries to do without the cell phone at social meetings, but feels restless.
challenges in dealing with social media
In parallel to Silke's experiences, current studies show that 11 % of young people show signs of problematic behavior when using social media. Girls, which are considered direct users of platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat, show a higher problematic use compared to 9 % of the boys at 13 %. According to a report of the who> 36 % of young people are constantly in contact with friends, whereby this trend is particularly pronounced for 15-year-old girls (44 %).The question of digital media literacy is increasingly being discussed. Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge from the WHO emphasizes the need to enable young people to make well-founded decisions about their online activities. However, it refers to the positive effects of social media, such as support from the same age, but also indicates the negative aspects. Young people who have problematic usage behavior often experience lower mental and social well -being, combined with higher substance consumption and lack of sleep.
identity formation through social media
The use of social media plays a central role in the formation of identity of young people. A study by the Medienpädagogical Research Association Southwest shows that 95 % of young people in Germany use the Internet every day and 94 % of 12 to 13 year olds have a smartphone. Popular platforms are Instagram (31 %), Tikok (24 %) and YouTube (23 %). These social media not only promote social bonds, but also the exchange under the same age and the reduction of loneliness.
The dynamic mechanisms of social media, especially the availability of new content and competition for attention, also lead to the fact that young people are under pressure to constantly compare themselves. These social comparisons can have negative effects on the self -image, which can seriously strain young people in their development. The role of parents and schools in media education is all the more important in order to prepare young people for dealing with these challenges.
In summary, the current digital landscape not only requires a critical examination of your own habits, but also a strong commitment to media literacy formation. Both the BPB href = "https://www.dolomitenstadt.at/2025/30/man-vercht-sich-mit-anderen/"> Dolomitenstadt value that parents and teachers actively get into dialogue through digital well-being to help young people get along between the opportunities and risks of the digital world.| Details | |
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| Ort | Dolomitenstadt, Österreich |
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