Majority Advocates for Implementing Minimum Age Requirement for Social Networking Platforms

A new survey conducted by the Ifo Institute Education Barometer has shed light on the attitudes of Germans towards social media usage. The survey, which was conducted among 2,982 adults aged 18 to 69 and 1,033 young people aged 14 to 17 in May and June, has revealed a significant concern over the impact of social media on various aspects of life, especially among the younger generation.

The survey did not provide specific details on the negative effects of social media consumption on sleep patterns, academic performance, or mental health. However, it did highlight that nearly half (50%) of young people's daily social media usage ranges between one and three hours, with almost a third (31%) exceeding three hours a day. This extended usage is further extended on weekends.

The results suggest that a significant portion of both adults and young people in Germany support age restrictions for social media use. In fact, 85% of adults and 47% of 14- to 17-year-olds support a 16-year age restriction for setting up social media accounts. The perceived negative effects of social media consumption on the younger generation include smartphone addiction, concentration disorders, poor grades, sleep disorders, and mental health issues.

The Ifo Institute poll also revealed that social media consumption is viewed with suspicion by a large majority of the German population. A significant difference exists in the assessment of social media's impact on society between adults and young people: 45% of adults view it as more of a risk, while 33% of young people hold a similar opinion.

The research director of the Ifo Center for Education Economics who led the survey on social media usage by the population is not identified in the given search results. However, the findings of the survey underscore the need for further research into the potential negative effects of social media consumption, particularly among young people.

As social media continues to permeate our daily lives, it is crucial to understand its impact on our sleep, academic performance, and mental health. The Ifo Institute Education Barometer survey provides a valuable starting point for this conversation, highlighting the concerns of the German population and the need for further investigation into the effects of social media usage.