Mental well-being throughout the summer holidays: DZPG warns against excessive media consumption in children

A historical parallel: the effects of tobacco

No schedules, no exams, no pressure – just time for friends and long, lazy hours between the lake and the treehouse: for children and adolescents, summer holidays are a time to recharge. Yet, researchers at the DZPG caution that smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles can quickly become the main activity, at the expense of sleep, physical activity, and real-life social interactions. Prof. Dr. Silvia Schneider, spokesperson for the DZPG and Professor of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology at Ruhr University Bochum, identifies a significant research gap: "Globally, we observe a parallel increase in media consumption and in affective disorders such as anxiety and depression among children and adolescents." However, the correlation is not yet scientifically established as causal, explains DZPG spokesperson Prof. Peter Falkai from the Munich-Augsburg partner site: "It would be incorrect to interpret this correlation as definitive causality." There is still important scientific work to be done. Yet Schneider warns that this is no reason to leave media consumption unregulated in families. She draws a historical comparison: "With tobacco use, it took years for scientific proof of health risks to be officially recognized—even though early signs were present. We are at a comparable stage with media consumption, and for that reason, caution is warranted."

Do not underestimate social differences

Schneider also emphasizes that not only the amount of screen time, but also the nature of the content consumed is of great importance. Studies¹ show: Children from families with higher educational backgrounds—who often own smartphones earlier and more frequently—tend to use digital media more purposefully, for instance with learning apps or language tools. "This constitutes a qualitative difference compared to other types of usage," she explains. "Endless scrolling on TikTok or impulsive gaming does not foster social or cognitive skills. That means we must also consider equity in opportunity and education when we talk about healthy media use."

Encourage positive options rather than relying solely on restrictions

Dr. Isabel Brandhorst, head of the Research Group on Internet Use Disorders at the DZPG partner site in Tübingen, investigates the mechanisms behind problematic media behaviors. Her conclusion: "Every hour spent in front of a screen is an hour lost for real experiences, social bonds, and personal development." This alone is reason enough to set limits on screen time. However, she stresses that children should not be met with boredom the moment the screen is turned off: "Appealing alternatives are essential to ensure that the digital world doesn’t become overpowering."

For many parents, this is no easy task. To help, Brandhorst has developed the ISES! Kids Online Training, which parents can access free of charge and anonymously. The training provides practical guidance on establishing rules that avoid constant power struggles:
"It’s not only about changing children’s behavior—it’s also about organizing family life in a way that healthy media habits are even possible."

Holiday programs should be phone-free zones

Prof. Dr. Hanna Christiansen, Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychologist at the DZPG location Bochum-Marburg, sees the holiday season as a valuable opportunity for relief and recovery: "The school year is tightly scheduled and stressful for many adolescents. Simply being able to sleep in can provide significant psychological relief," she says.
But Christiansen warns that, precisely because the usual pressures are gone, it’s crucial not to leave young people entirely to their own devices. She points to schools as a positive role model: "More and more schools are consistently enforcing phone-free periods. This should also become standard in holiday programs and at home."

Real life must remain more appealing

All DZPG experts agree: Children and adolescents need clear, understandable rules and an actively structured holiday routine—one that makes real life attractive, with room for physical activity, creativity, friendship, and calm.

¹ https://mpfs.de/studien/kim

Resources and links for parents

ISES! Kids Onlinetraining (free & anonymous)
Online program for parents of children aged 6–12
5 Modules: Digital media in family life, rules for media use, meaningful consequences, parents as role models, understanding and preventing addiction

Medien kindersicher: Portal zum technischen Jugendmedienschutz
Publicly funded portal for youth media protection, with step-by-step guides for smartphones, tablets, consoles, and routers

Google Family Link
Free app for screen time management and content filtering on smartphones

Schau hin! Media Education for Parents
A joint initiative by the German Ministry for Family Affairs, ARD, ZDF, and AOK. Since 2003, this media guide supports families in strengthening children’s media literacy..

Smarter Start at 14
A parent-led initiative advocating for a smartphone-free childhood and offering guidance on how to achieve it

klicksafe
Part of Germany’s official awareness initiative under the EU’s Digital Europe Programme, offering a wide range of resources on media use and safety

Nummer gegen Kummer (free & anonymous)
116 111 Child and Youth Helpline)
0800 111 0550 (Parent Helpline)

Press Contact

Daniela Clément
MASTERMEDIA GmbH
0177 3867126
presse@dzpg.org