Social media and cell phone: informed adults advocate higher minimum age

According to a study, adults have a majority in schools in schools. 72 percent are against the private use of those brought in without express embedding in the classroom, as the Federal Institute for Population Research (BIB) announced in Wiesbaden. It is even 95 percent at primary schools. A general, comprehensive mobile phone ban for girls and boys at all schools agree 53 percent – and 80 percent at primary schools.

In January and February 2025, 1312 Germans aged 18 and over were interviewed for the study of the BIB. In the survey At the same time, the BIB speaks a majority that schools should convey a responsible use of the Internet and a sensible use of cell phones in class, regardless of private smartphone use.

Refinent: Social media only from 13.5 years

And from what age should girls and boys generally have a smartphone – and from when can social media such as Instagram and Tiktok be used alone? The average minimum age for owning your own cell phone in the study is 11.5 years – and the favorite minimum age for the use of social media is 13.5 years.

The study also tries with differently informed sub -groups of the respondents to explore the influence of enlightening information on the views of adults. Anyone who has been informed before the survey of the risks of digital media use for children and adolescents such as cyberbullying or unsuitable content in favor of an average of four months higher than others. This applies to the possession of cell phones and the use of social media.