{
  "id": 3654127,
  "title": "Faszination und Last: Umfrage: Hälfte der Teenager für Social-Media-Altersgrenzen",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/faszination-und-last-umfrage-halfte-der-teenager-fur-social-media",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-27T03:00:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/technik/it-internet/faszination-und-last-umfrage-haelfte-der-teenager-fuer-social-media-altersgrenzen/100249997.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "In a recent survey, half of the German teenagers aged 12 to 17 support the idea of setting age limits for social media use. According to the Techniker Krankenkasse, 47 percent of participants advocated for a ban for children up to a certain age, with the average age being 14. Another 8 percent were in favor of a complete ban on social media for minors. Meanwhile, 39 percent opposed such restrictions. To conduct the survey, the health insurance company interviewed 1,400 young people aged 12 to 17 in April and May. The results were representative of the target age group in Germany, according to the TK.\n\nSome key findings from the survey include:\n- 80 percent believe social media has a positive impact on them or more so\n- Only 15 percent found it had a negative impact or more so\n- 77 percent use social networks for fun, 75 percent as a form of entertainment\n- 64 percent stay in touch with friends and acquaintances through the networks\n- 42 percent seek inspiration for sports, travel, or food\n- 36 percent follow influencers\n\nThe most popular platforms are YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and Roblox. However, many users express irritation with the survey, citing excessive advertising (57 percent), misleading or false information or images (52 percent), spending too much time on social media (36 percent), bullying and insults (35 percent), and unwanted images and videos (31 percent). About 14 percent of respondents are concerned about airbrushed content.\n\nThe survey reveals that the longer teenagers spend online, the more likely they are to experience negative emotions and physical discomfort. Those who use social media for four or more hours daily report frequent or constant bad moods in 49 percent of cases, compared to 20 percent of those who use it for one to two hours. Self-dissatisfaction is reported by 40 percent of heavy users, compared to 22 percent of light users. Feelings of inner restlessness are experienced by 39 percent of those who use social media for four or more hours, compared to 17 percent of light users. The survey also indicates that such frequent users are more prone to sleep problems, headaches, muscle tension, and stomachaches.\n\nUte Erdenberger, a TK health manager, emphasizes that \"a conscious and reflective approach to social media use is the core element of media literacy.\" Many teenagers agree, with 37 percent saying they follow or block certain profiles, 28 percent turn off notifications, 26 percent have phone-free times, and 25 percent occasionally switch the device to another location. Support from schools and parents, as well as stricter platform regulations, are desired by the majority of respondents (70 percent each). They would like platforms to block inappropriate content such as violence, insults, and hate comments. The TK chief Jens Baas concludes that a blanket social media ban would not be sufficient to protect children and teenagers from online risks. Instead, media literacy and the provision of youth-friendly versions of platforms, without advertising and addictive algorithms, are crucial.",
  "summary": "Über Nutzen und Gefahren sozialer Medien für Jugendliche wird viel geredet. Aber was sagen die 12- bis 17-Jährigen eigentlich selbst? Die Techniker Krankenkasse hat nachgefragt.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}