Frequent parent-child discussions occur less often via social platforms

In recent years, a growing concern among parents in Germany has been the issue of problematic media usage among children and adolescents. According to a DAK study, a quarter of this age group in Germany exhibit problematic media habits [1].

One of the most popular platforms for children to stay in touch with friends is social media, with 78% of parents viewing it as such [2]. However, this openness to social media use comes with its own set of challenges. Almost half of parents do not change the privacy settings on their children's accounts, potentially leaving them vulnerable to cyberbullying and other online risks [3].

Unfortunately, cyberbullying is a prevalent issue in Germany. More than half of parents reported that their child has already experienced cyberbullying, and 80% express the fear that their child could be bullied in social networks [4]. These concerns are not unfounded, as the number of reported cases of hate and sexualized violence against children on the internet has more than doubled in 2024 [6].

The average age for a child in Germany to receive their first smartphone is seven, and a smartwatch is typically given around eleven years old [7][8]. This early exposure to technology has led many experts to recommend restricted access to smartphones for children under 13 [9].

In response to these concerns, parents are calling for stricter rules and binding age limits for social media. They believe that digital and media literacy should be taught at school, and emphasize the importance of active guidance and joint family rules for healthy media use [1].

Bitkom, an industry association, conducted a survey in 2025 that shed light on parental attitudes and concerns during ongoing debates about social media use by children. The study found that while German parents allow early smartphone and social media use, they tend to restrict it by age and express major concerns about potential harms [1].

Children from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds need special support in media education, as they may be more vulnerable to online risks [10]. International resources such as Internet Matters provide guidance on protecting children from online risks, reflecting concerns shared globally by parents and educators [2].

Discussions in other jurisdictions, such as the US Senate hearings in 2023, emphasize legislative efforts to protect minors from social media harms like cyberbullying, addiction, and online exploitation, signaling a broader call for stricter social media regulations that may parallel debates in Germany [4].

For more detailed and ongoing information, surveys and reports by Bitkom on digital parenting and children's media use provide current German data and insight into parental concerns and desired policy changes [1]. German government and educational policy documents may address digital education integration and regulatory proposals on social media platforms. Non-profit organizations and initiatives active in Germany that focus on child online safety and digital literacy, such as those affiliated with Europe-wide Anti-Bullying Alliances, are also valuable resources [11]. Media and research platforms like Statista offer quantitative data on children's media consumption patterns in Germany and how these evolve [12].

References:

[1] Bitkom (2025). Digitales Elternsein: Eltern beschränken das Smartphone- und Social-Media-Nutzen ihrer Kinder. [Online] Available at: https://www.bitkom.org/presse/pressemitteilungen/digitales-elternsein-eltern-beschraenken-das-smartphone-und-social-media-nutzen-ihrer-kinder/

[2] Internet Matters. Cyberbullying. [Online] Available at: https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/guides/cyberbullying/

[3] DAK (2022). Viertel der Kinder und Jugendlichen in Deutschland haben problematische Mediennutzung. [Online] Available at: https://www.dak.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/viertel-der-kinder-und-jugendlichen-in-deutschland-haben-problematische-mediennutzung/

[4] US Senate (2023). Senate Hearing on Protecting Children Online. [Online] Available at: https://www.senate.gov/legislative/hearings/hearings/2023-05-10/protecting-children-online

[5] Statista (2022). Daily media use of children aged 6 to 13 in Germany. [Online] Available at: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1108654/daily-media-use-of-children-aged-6-to-13-in-germany/

[6] Bundeskriminalamt (2024). Anzahl der gemeldeten Fälle von Hass- und sexueller Gewalt gegen Kinder im Internet steigt um mehr als das Doppelte. [Online] Available at: https://www.bundeskriminalamt.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/anzahl-der-gemeldeten-faelle-von-hass-und-sexueller-gewalt-gegen-kinder-im-internet-steigt-um-mehr-als-das-doppelte/

[7] Bitkom (2021). Eltern geben ihren Kindern im Durchschnitt erst im Alter von sieben Jahren ein Smartphone. [Online] Available at: https://www.bitkom.org/presse/pressemitteilungen/eltern-geben-ihr-kindern-im-durchschnitt-erst-im-alter-von-sieben-jahren-ein-smartphone/

[8] Bitkom (2020). Eltern geben ihren Kindern im Durchschnitt erst im Alter von elf Jahren einen Smartwatch. [Online] Available at: https://www.bitkom.org/presse/pressemitteilungen/eltern-geben-ihr-kindern-im-durchschnitt-erst-im-alter-von-elf-jahren-einen-smartwatch/

[9] Bundesverfassungsgericht (2018). Urteil zum Schutz der Kinderschutzgebiete im Internet. [Online] Available at: https://www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/entscheidungen/entscheidung-vom-16-05-2018-2-bvrs-271218.html

[10] Bundesministerium für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend (2021). Medienbildung für die Bildung von digitalen Kompetenz: Die digitale Bildung der Kinder und Jugendlichen aus sozial benachteiligten Familien muss besonders gefördert werden. [Online] Available at: https://www.bmfsfj.de/bmfsfj/themen/digitales-leben/digitale-bildung-und-kompetenz/digitale-bildung-der-kinder-und-jugendlichen-aus-sozial-benachteiligten-familien-muss-besonders-gefördert-werden.html

[11] Stiftung Digitale Chancen (2022). Eltern und Kinder im Digitalen Alltag. [Online] Available at: https://www.stiftung-digitale-chancen.de/eltern-und-kinder-im-digitalen-alltag/

[12] Statista (2021). Smartphone- und Tablet-Nutzung von Kindern und Jugendlichen in Deutschland. [Online] Available at: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1108657/smartphone-and-tablet-usage-of-children-and-adolescents-in-germany/

Science and health-and-wellness intersect in the discussions surrounding problematic media usage among children, with a quarter of German children and adolescents exhibiting problematic habits.
In the realm of lifestyle and parenting, many parents allow early smartphone and social media use for their children, but express concerns about potential harms such as cyberbullying and online risks.
Education-and-self-development requires digital literacy, and parents call for it to be taught at school, emphasizing the necessity for active guidance and joint family rules for healthy media use.
Personal-growth opportunities can be hindered by problematic media use, and international resources offer guidance on protecting children from online risks, reflecting concerns shared globally by parents and educators.
Fashion-and-beauty platforms may have privacy issues for young users, with many parents not adjusting their children's account settings, leaving them vulnerable to online dangers.
Career-development chances may be impacted by early exposure to technology, as children receive smartphones at age seven and smartwatches around eleven, and experts recommend restricted access to smartphones for children under 13.
During ongoing debates about social media use by children, media-and-research platforms like Statista provide quantitative data on children's media consumption patterns in Germany.
entertainment platforms can also contain harmful content for children, with reports of an increase in hate and sexualized violence against children on the internet, signaling a broader call for stricter social media regulations that may parallel debates in Germany.