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In 2022, around ** percent of children in Germany played computer games at least once a week. Out of these, ** percent played nearly every day. ** percent of children stated that they never played online games.

Playing computer games

Although there are divided opinions about the effects of computer games on a developing brain, for some, computer games provide the opportunity to escape to a fantasy land and switch off from the outside world. The most popular computer game among children was the sandbox game, Minecraft. The game was first released in 2011 and has managed to sustain its popularity throughout the years. The game itself has no specific aim, but players can collect and “mine” blocks in order to build structures. Worldwide, Minecraft has sold over *** million copies, showing that its popularity is not just limited to Germany.

The development of the internet

Whilst those currently in their mid-20s to early 30s grew up with very limited access to the internet, with smartphones only becoming widespread as they entered their teenage years, for children growing up now the internet is just a few clicks away for most of them. They can also undertake a wide range of activities on their devices. Over half of children aged six to ** in Germany sent WhatsApp messages every day. Other popular activities included watching movies, YouTube, or using search engines to look something up. Although most of these activities are harmless, or sometimes even educational, there is a darker side to the internet. Five percent of children reported having seen content that was not suitable for children, and percent saw something that made them uncomfortable. There are certain measures that adults can take to limit incidences such as this, but they are not failsafe. For example, almost ** percent of female adolescents in the U.S. reported receiving unsolicited messages on Instagram that made them uncomfortable, and this is a trend that is applicable worldwide.