Prävention der exzessiven Mediennutzung im Kindes- und Jugendalter

Abstract

Background: The use of digital media plays an important role in the leisure time of children and young people. However, it can be assumed that about 8% of young people aged 12–17 years old have a computer game or internet-related disorder. Objective: The aim was to test the effectiveness of a school-based peer-to-peer program for the prevention of excessive gaming and internet use in childhood and adolescence (“net-pilots”). Material and methods: A controlled study with a matched sample (1:1 matching) was used to examine the effects of the prevention program. Data assessment was carried out with an online survey during the first half of the school year 2019/2020. A total of 834 children and adolescents with a mean age of 12 years took part in the study. The intervention group took part in a peer-to-peer workshop for sensitization to the risks of excessive media use and to promote self-reflection. Results: Schoolchildren who participated in the intervention had a greater knowledge of the negative consequences of excessive media use and spent less time with media than the comparison group (F (1.832) = 6.45, p = 0.011). Moreover, the proportion of schoolchildren with problematic media use was lower in the intervention group compared to the control group (F (1.832) = 14.76, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The findings are consistent with previous studies on the effectiveness of school-based programs for preventing problematic media use. They suggest that school-based programs can prevent excessive and dysfunctional gaming and internet use.