Digital future: How smartphones shape and endanger our youth

Digital future: How smartphones shape and endanger our youth

On October 28, 2025, the exciting event “Swipe, like, BAM! – How much cell phone can young people tolerate?” will take place at Ansbach University of Applied Sciences. instead of. It's all about the influence of smartphones and social media on young people. Experts from various fields come together to discuss the conscious use of digital media by young people.

The event starts with a series of keynote speeches given by impressive personalities such as Prof. Dr. habil. Marion Handel, who specializes in media effects and media psychology, and Thomas Feibel, a renowned author and media education expert. Also Dr. Patrick Nonell, head of child and adolescent psychiatry at the Nuremberg Clinic, will be there. Together they bring valuable perspectives to discuss what responsibility parents, schools and politicians have in digital media use.

Media competence as a key qualification

A central finding of the event will be that media competence is seen as a key qualification for today's children. The discussion will be led by Prof. Dr. Julia Sasse and Prof. Dr. Markus Paul moderates, which aims to promote exchange and debate. Participants will also have the opportunity to talk to guests and experts in the foyer and share their experiences.

This topic is particularly important because digital media has long since become an integral part of our everyday lives. A report by the Federal Agency for Civic Education emphasizes that media use in everyday family life has led to “profound mediatization”. The communication scientists Andreas Hepp and Uwe Hasebrink point out aspects such as differentiation and omnipresence that shape our lives. It turns out that families often react to media trends in order to meet the wishes of their children.

The role of parents in media use

Studies by the Media Education Research Association Southwest (mpfs) suggest that children are increasingly curious and playful with digital media, while young people regularly use social media. This means that parents need to be more actively involved in their children's media use in order to both have interesting conversations and prevent conflicts. “Phubbing” – the phenomenon when parents spend more time on their cell phones instead of caring for their children – can put a lot of strain on the parent-child relationship.

The challenge for parents is to manage their children's media use and find common interests. Excessive media use can have negative consequences for the emotional and social development of our offspring. It is therefore crucial that parents inform themselves about media use and establish appropriate rules together. This is the only way they can support their children in the digital world and protect them from risks such as cyberbullying.

In addition, it has been shown that parents with greater media literacy are better able to support their children. Socioeconomic factors also play a role. An exchange about shared media use and discussions about content are essential to promote media literacy within the family. Schools often lag behind, which is why it is even more important that parents are actively involved in their children's media use.

On October 28, 2025 in Ansbach it will become clear how important it is to raise awareness of the digital world and develop positive media literacy. Get involved and actively shape your children’s digital future!

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