AI Chatbots Becoming Everyday Tools for German Youth
Berlin, March 24 – New artificial intelligence (AI) chat applications are increasingly becoming a part of children’s and adolescents’ daily routines, potentially contributing to problematic usage patterns, according to a recent study. The survey, conducted by health insurance company DAK-Gesundheit and the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), found that 20.8 percent of respondents aged 10 to 17 use programs like ChatGPT or Gemini several times a week. Daily usage was reported by 6.4 percent over the past six months.
The study, which is set to be presented today in Berlin, highlights that “chatbots are frequently used as learning and information tools, but can also fulfill individual socio-emotional functions.” Some participants admitted to confiding in chatbots about things they would otherwise only share with close friends or no one at all. This was true “sometimes” for 7 percent, and “often” or “very often” for an additional 3.4 percent.
Online Video Consumption on the Rise
These figures are based on 644 respondents who reported using chat programs at least occasionally. In total, 1,005 children aged 10 to 17, along with one parent each, were surveyed by the Forsa Institute between September 24 and October 12, 2025, for this latest study. This marks the eighth wave of a media usage study initiated in 2019 by DAK and UKE.
Despite slight decreases in usage times, the number of children and adolescents with problematic media use remains very high, the new investigation states. A notable trend from a addiction prevention perspective is the significant increase in the use of online videos on platforms such as TikTok and YouTube. This brings common display elements like endless scrolling and automatic playback into focus.
Social Media Use Remains High
According to the study, 88.8 percent of girls regularly use social media platforms, including messengers, streaming services, and photo albums, with 69.8 percent engaging daily. For boys, these figures were 86.1 percent and 66.8 percent, respectively. The average daily usage time during weekdays was 146 minutes, and 201 minutes on weekends, based on the autumn 2025 survey. This was slightly shorter than the previous year’s figures of 157 and 227 minutes.
The proportion of children with risky social media use now stands at 21.5 percent, up from 21.1 percent the previous year. Extrapolated, this indicates that 1.4 million children aged 10 to 17 in Germany exhibit problematic patterns, which include dangerously high usage and even pathological use, leading to a loss of control over duration or neglect of other daily activities.
Calls for Legal Age Limits
DAK CEO Andreas Storm emphasized that the persistently high rate of media addiction underscores the urgent need for action. “For meaningful age regulation, a swift legal framework is now needed before the summer break. To ensure that initial measures can take effect in the coming school year, we should act independently of an EU-wide solution.” Within the coalition, the CDU and SPD have advocated for a social media ban for children under 14.
The study highlights the evolving landscape of digital media consumption among young people and the growing concerns regarding the impact of AI technologies and social media on their well-being. Policymakers and parents face the challenge of adapting to these changes and implementing effective strategies for digital literacy and protection.
Further details from the study are expected to be released during its official presentation in Berlin.
Source: https://www.radiowestfalica.de/nachrichten/news-aus-nrw-und-der-welt/berlin-studie-neue-ki-programme-bei-kindern-verbreitet.html
