Study shows risks and side effects of smartphones for children

The vast majority of young people own a smartphone. Those who don't have one are excluded. Many parents observe the use with mixed feelings. The new study proves them right: almost one in ten (8 percent) young smartphone owners is at risk of addiction. For the study commissioned by the State Media Authority of North Rhine-Westphalia, researchers surveyed 500 children and young people between the ages of 8 and 14, as well as parents. The study is thus representative of cell phone owners in this age group. Many children and young people admitted to the researchers that they were self-critical about their use of mobile computers.

Distracted and stressed

Almost half admit to being distracted by their cell phones, for example from doing their homework (48 percent), or to revealing personal data without thinking (43 percent). More than one in four young respondents said they had already received messages from strangers. One in four feels stressed by constant communication via messenger services such as WhatsApp (24 percent). One in five (21 percent) has already ended up on adult sites, admits to problems at school due to heavy cell phone use (20 percent) and has already received violent videos with degrading images via smartphone (19 percent). One in seven (15 percent) complains that they do not have enough real contact with friends. One in ten (11 percent) has already been the victim of digital bullying or exclusion from WhatsApp groups. The problem of sexting still seems to be lowest among eight- to fourteen-year-olds: Only just under one in twenty respondents (4 percent) said they had already sent intimate photos.

The number of unreported cases could be high

Assuming that many young respondents tend to play down the downsides of their beloved smartphone, the figures are minimum values - an upper figure cannot be ruled out, says Karin Knop from the University of Mannheim. The excessive use of smartphones by children and young people is partly driven by the fear of being excluded from the communication process of their circle of friends or acquaintances. This creates a "permanent pressure to communicate," he said. "Eight percent must be classified as at risk of addiction," says Knop. The vast majority of young people in Germany already use a smartphone. Among 12- to 13-year-olds, 85 percent have a computer cell phone, according to a survey conducted this year by the IT industry association Bitkom. Among younger teenagers between the ages of 10 and 11, a good half (57 percent) use a smartphone.

Parents overwhelmed

The parents surveyed see themselves confronted with difficulties in "cell phone education": They suffer from powerlessness, loss of control and excessive demands. Families often argue about the extent of their children's cell phone use. Many parents secretly control what their offspring do with their smartphones. The researchers found four different types of parents: One seventh (15 percent) capitulates to the mobile multifunctional devices and forgoes educational guidelines. In contrast to this "laissez-faire" group are the "fearful-conservative reglementarians". They restrict the use of smartphones and ignore the disadvantages this causes their children. The "friendly liberals" rely on a trusting relationship with their children, can understand their enthusiasm for cell phones and have few worries. The "child-centered active" ones are very concerned with their children's cell phone use, talk a lot about it and try to provide comprehensible guidelines for age-appropriate use. Most parents are unaware of technical restrictions on use. The researchers also found that very few parents seek media education advice from the Internet. (SDA)