Germany’s 72-hour weekly screen time sparks mental health and learning concerns

Smartphones now dominate German lives, but at what cost? Experts warn of shrinking attention spans and long-term damage to young minds.

, and Administrator

2025 December 3 . 1:05 AM

1 min read

Here we can see a kid with a mobile phone in his hand and there are mobile phones placed on the... — Here we can see a kid with a mobile phone in his hand and there are mobile phones placed on the table in front of him and behind him we can see a doll and there are chairs present and there are boxes present here and there are Windows present

Germany’s 72-hour weekly screen time sparks mental health and learning concerns

Germans now spend an average of 72 hours a week online, mostly on smartphones. Younger adults, aged 18 to 39, reach nearly 86 hours. This surge in screen time has raised concerns about mental health, learning, and even democratic stability.

Since around 2010, teenagers’ skills in reading, maths, and science have been declining. Experts suggest a link to increased social media use, which can displace activities crucial for brain development. The constant pull of notifications and emotional content may also shrink attention spans, making it harder to focus on complex tasks.

The debate over social media’s impact continues to grow. With evidence linking it to poorer mental health, weaker academic performance, and even threats to democracy, more nations may follow with stricter age limits. For now, the focus remains on balancing digital engagement with the developmental needs of young people.