BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - In Germany, 92 percent of children and young people use the Internet at least occasionally. According to a representative survey by the digital association Bitkom, almost three quarters (73 percent) of first-graders (6 to 7 years old) are already online. This figure rises to 85% for 8 to 9-year-olds and 95% for 10 to 11-year-olds. From the age of 12, virtually everyone is online (98%), and from the age of 14 it is 99%.

In May and June, 942 children and young people aged between 6 and 18 took part in the Bitkom Research survey online, with children aged between 6 and 10 accompanied by their parents.

The older, the longer on the smartphone

For younger children, the path into the digital world often begins with a tablet computer that is used together with their parents. But even in the 10 to 12 age group, the smartphone is the preferred digital device at 88%. Among young people (16 to 18 years), smartphone use is at 98%, followed by laptop or PC (87%) and tablet (86%). More than a third also use a smartwatch (36%).

The duration of smartphone use increases significantly with age. Children aged 6 to 9 use their smartphone for an average of 37 minutes a day. For 10 to 12-year-olds, the usage time increases to 107 minutes per day. Teenagers aged 13 to 15 spend around two and a half hours (154 minutes) a day on their smartphone. Users aged 16 to 18 say they spend more than three hours (201 minutes) a day on their smartphone.

Favorite YouTube

In addition to communicating with text and voice messages or making phone calls, the most popular smartphone applications include listening to music, audio games and podcasts, taking photos and videos and playing games. 93% of children and young people aged 10 and over also use social networks. YouTube (87%) leads by a wide margin ahead of Instagram and Snapchat (53% each) and TikTok (51%). Facebook (9%) and X/Twitter (8%) are lagging behind. A third (33%) say they cannot imagine life without social media.

Negative experiences too

Bitkom President Ralf Wintergerst said that children need to be guided early on and accompanied on their way into the digital world. "They must learn to navigate the digital world safely and independently. Especially at a young age, this also includes agreements on what the smartphone may be used for and to what extent."

It is also important to deal with negative online experiences correctly. Wintergerst pointed out that 16% of children and young people aged 10 and over who use the internet have already been insulted or bullied online. More than 12 percent have spread lies online. Eight percent said in the Bitkom survey that they had been threatened online, while 7 percent have been sexually assaulted online by peers or adults. "In order to better protect children and young people online, we not only need education, but also more technical and human resources for the police and investigating authorities," said Wintergerst./chd/DP/men