24/7 digital availability is the new normal
81.0% of people in Germany check their smartphones or other digital devices at least once or twice an hour – even when they haven’t received a specific notification. 47.1% of people check their devices as often as 3 times an hour or more, while 12.4% always keep their device within reach.
There is a clear split across age groups: the younger the respondent, the more often they check their smartphones and other devices. 90.6% of 16- to 30-year-olds check their digital devices at least 1 to 2 times per hour; 68.1% check them at least 3 times per hour.
Question: On average, how often do you check your digital devices (e.g. smartphone, tablet, laptop, smartwatch), even when you haven’t received a specific notification?
The power of digital habits
What’s behind the continual screen-time? One possible reason: sheer habit. 71.3% of people in Germany check their digital notifications and apps for no particular reason. Experts refer to this behaviour as a habit loop (see quote below).
Here too, the figures from the representative IU study show that: the younger the respondents, the more common this digital habit is. For people between the ages of 16 and 30, the figure stands at 79.6%.
Question: To what extent do you agree with the following statement? “I check my digital notifications or apps out of habit, for no particular reason.”
When it comes to our digital habits, we tend to fall into a typical ‘habit loop’. This is often triggered by boredom or brief moments of inactivity, followed by the routine of reaching for your smartphone without thinking. We’re rewarded by a brief moment of stimulation provided by something new or by social cues. This teaches the brain that: ‘it’s worth checking’. This cycle is then reinforced with every repetition until the behaviour eventually becomes a habit.”
Prof. Dr Timo Kortsch
Professor of Business Psychology at IU International University of Applied Sciences
Focus
Online from morning till night
Digital devices are a constant companion for people in Germany throughout the day. For many people, they are part of their morning and evening routine – and for the majority, having their mobile phone within reach is a given when doing other activities, such as eating. This is particularly true of young people.
Mobile phone use among adults? Preferably anytime, anywhere
Whether they’re eating, chatting or watching TV, 62.8% of respondents use their smartphone whilst doing other things. For young people aged 16 to 30, the figure is 73.1%; among those aged 31 to 45, it is 69.5%.
Question: To what extent do you agree with the following statement? “I use my smartphone while doing other things (e.g. while eating, chatting, watching TV).”
Excerpt from the statements included in the survey; only respondents who have a smartphone
36.2% use digital devices immediately after waking up
75.1% of respondents say they use digital devices within 30 minutes of waking up. More than a third reach for their smartphone, tablet, laptop or smartwatch immediately after waking up.
Among 16- to 30-year-olds, the figures are significantly higher than the average for the German population. 86.9% of them reach for a digital device within 30 minutes of waking up, and 50.4% do so immediately after waking up.
Question: How long after waking up do you first use a digital device (e.g. smartphone, tablet, laptop, smartwatch)?
40.4% use digital devices right before going to bed
73.8% use their digital devices less than 30 minutes before going to bed; 2 in 5 do so right before going to bed. Only 1 in 10 people follow the general recommendations on sleep hygiene¹ and put their mobile phones and other devices away at least an hour before going to bed.
The figures for people aged up to 30 are particularly striking: 86.3% use their digital devices less than 30 minutes before going to bed; 55.9% do so right before falling asleep.
Question: When do you last use a digital device (e.g. smartphone, tablet, laptop, smartwatch) before going to bed?
¹ Source: The German Sleep Society (DGSM)
64.6 %
All respondents
“I use digital devices to take my mind off things when I’m in a bad mood.”
Question: To what extent do you agree with the following statement?
Excerpts from the statements included in the survey; only the answers “completely agree” and “tend to agree” on a scale of 1 to 4
78.2 %
Respondents
16–30 years
67.5 %
Respondents
31–45 years
58.3 %
Respondents
46–60 years
44.2 %
Respondents
61–65 years
People in Germany spend a considerable amount of time online. From a health perspective, this equates to being in a constant state of mental alertness, which extends from the moment we wake up and check our smartphones right through to the moment we fall asleep – involving yet more screen time and impacting every aspect of our lives. Young adults in particular often use their smartphones as a quick way to regulate their emotions. However, in the long term, this can mean that genuine relaxation is pushed aside, stress is exacerbated and it becomes harder to switch off – especially in the evening.”
Prof. Dr Stefanie André
Professor of Health Management at IU International University of Applied Sciences
