Studies Smartphones put children and adolescents under constant stress

Widespread use of mobile phones has a strong impact on the everyday lives of young people
Almost two-thirds of 8- to 14-year-olds can now access the Internet via their smartphone. This opens up many opportunities and freedoms - but also carries a lot of dangers and risks. As a recent study by the University of Mannheim shows, many young users suffer from communication stress and peer pressure. In addition, cyberbullying and the sending of violent videos or sexualized self-intake are no longer a rarity.

Almost two-thirds of 8- to 14-year-olds use the mobile phone to access the Internet
Are teenagers "always on" today? The term is now widely used and describes the constant connection to the Internet via smartphone, tablet &. Co. And indeed, mobile (online) communication seems to have a strong presence in the lives of children and adolescents. As a recent study by the University of Mannheim on behalf of the State Institute for Media North Rhine-Westphalia (LfM) shows, 64 percent of 8- to 14-year-olds and 86 percent of 13- and 14-year-olds on the phone or smartphone on the Internet access.

Teenagers and children suffer from daily communication stress. Picture: benschonewille - fotolia

But the constant "on" does not only have advantages. Instead, many young users according to the study would suffer from communication stress and peer pressure, one in four 8- to 14-year-old feels the constant exchange by smartphone as stress. But many do not consider this from the use of - because on the other hand, the kids would be afraid to miss something and be excluded.

Every tenth is considered "addictive"
"Many are able to do without a mobile or a smartphone for a longer period of time", says Prof. Dr. med. Peter Vorderer from the University of Mannheim according to a press release of the LfM. "About 21 percent of children and adolescents, however, have a very strong bond," explains the expert. In these cases, e.g. constantly thought of the mobile phone or constantly checked whether a new message has been received. The "binding" to the smartphone can take on extreme traits - eight percent would have to be classified as "addicted to addiction" in the study.

Cyberbullying and sexting pose great risks for adolescents
The widespread use of smartphones also has a significant impact on peer relationships, the announcement said. There would be on the one hand a number of positive effects, such. For example, watching photos and videos in the group or playing online games together. Above all, the mobile phone plays a central role as a means of communication, through which the bonds would be strengthened among each other, explains Dr. med. Dorothée Hefner from the University of Mannheim.

But here is also the dark side of the ever-increasing use of mobile phones to find. These include e.g. Cyberbullying or "sexting", which refers to the exchange about sexual issues and the sending of erotic self-absorption. Even the so-called "happy slapping" could have the LfM after particularly far-reaching consequences for the adolescents. In this violent scenes are filmed and then published on the Internet or redistributed by mobile phone. About ten percent have already experienced cyberbullying as perpetrators or victims, between 4 and 6 percent of children and adolescents have experienced happy slapping and sexting, and even sent pictures of themselves, according to the announcement.

Afraid to miss something particularly noticeable among teens
An important driver for the intensive use of smartphones was, according to Dr. med. Karin Knop from the University of Mannheim also the fear of missing something and thus being excluded from the group (Fear of missing out, FoMO).

"This is the strongest explanatory factor for uncontrolled, excessive and risky mobile phone use. If children and adolescents also feel a high pressure to adapt to their circle of friends and this circle of friends lives an 'always-on' mentality, they are particularly distracted by their mobile phone. "

Communication within the family is simplified
Within the family, cell phones and mobile internet also bring both benefits and opportunities for conflict, according to the study. A big advantage is therefore that the communication and organization of the old day could be regulated easier and less complicated. In contrast, friction points exist primarily with regard to the useful life.

"The study shows that most of what is being done with mobile phones and mobile internet is about communication and human interaction. Here again, educators have a head start that should encourage them to talk to children and adolescents about their use ", said LfM Director Dr. med. Jürgen Brautmeier. (No)