Negative experiences make you ill
In collaboration with Swisscom
First of all, the good news: 54 per cent of young people in Switzerland rate their health as good, 35 per cent even as excellent. Only 11 per cent of all young people feel somewhat good to poor. This is according to the representative JAMES study commissioned by Swisscom and conducted by the Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW in 2018. As part of this study, over 1,000 young people aged between 12 and 19 were surveyed on a wide range of topics, including health and media consumption: how does media consumption - mobile phones, the internet, gaming, social media - affect young people's health?
Fatigue is the number one health problem for young people
The answer to this is complicated. But nevertheless: in the course of this survey, 53 per cent of respondents cited lack of sleep as a limiting factor. Tiredness is the most frequently cited health problem among young people. The scientists were only able to establish a limited connection with mobile phone use. However, if increased media consumption leads to changes in sleeping habits and a lack of sleep, the risk of physical and psychological complaints can increase.
Show interest in our children's media use
However, the most important conclusion from the new JAMESfocus report is that how often young people use media does not appear to have a major impact on their health. Except in extreme cases. What they experience when using it, however, does. Young people with negative experiences such as sexual harassment or bullying via smartphone complain more often than average about physical or mental illnesses.
I recently came across a very disturbing video on one of our devices at home and learnt that my children had also seen it. What I had never thought possible had come true, and this report from the ZHAW reinforces my conclusion: we parents should not content ourselves with issuing (and hopefully enforcing) media time rules in our media education, but should take an interest in our children's media use and simply keep an eye on what our children are doing online.
On Medienstark you will find tips and interactive learning modules for the competent use of digital media in everyday family life. swisscom.ch/medienstark
