- Application designed to combat excessive media consumption
In the examination of digital media-related issues in youths, medical professionals and psychologists are experimenting with a novel app-based therapy program in various facilities in Hesse. The four Vitos child and adolescent outpatient clinics situated in Eltville, Wiesbaden, Idstein, and Kelkheim are participating in a countrywide study led by the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf. This therapy strategy, named "Res@t", includes a ten-week digital training program. This application operates on smartphones or tablets and is intended for individuals aged 10 to 19 and their parents.
Fabian Fuchs, the chief psychologist at the Vitos Children and Youth Outpatient Clinic in Idstein, highlights the constant presence of digital media in young people's lives and the difficulties that arise when they find it challenging to disconnect from their devices, especially when they have assignments to complete. Avoiding daily activities or pushing them aside is a common occurrence.
Frequent arguments regarding screen time can serve as a warning sign, suggests Daniel Sammet, the lead physician at the Vitos Children and Youth Outpatient Clinic in Wiesbaden. Media addiction is characterized by excessive or uncontrolled consumption in three areas: gaming, social media, and streaming. If one cannot curb their usage, it could indicate a problem. Other warning signs include contentious arguments within the family about screen time or neglect of hobbies due to extended digital use.
The primary goal of the Res@t app is to complement therapy by reducing the negative effects of disproportionate or unregulated media consumption. Additionally, the app aims to strengthen patients' stress management skills and improve their social relationships. Also, it encourages healthy habits, including maintaining regular sleep schedules, in children and adolescents. Fuchs also mentions the significance of media-free zones for the entire family where they refrain from utilizing smartphones.
According to Fuchs, the uniqueness of Res@t lies in its inclusion of parents and the use of the very medium that causes the concerns. The psychological well-being of young individuals is not about completely eliminating digital media usage but rather promoting its controlled use. The app's content is grounded in proven therapeutic techniques for addressing digital media-related issues.
Since March, the Vitos facilities have participated in the study, with a significant number of participants. The research project is scheduled to end in August 2025, at which point, if the results are positive, it will be offered nationwide. As reported by the University Medical Center Eppendorf, 22 research partners collaborate in this study, with five being from Hesse. Presently, approximately 100 participants are involved.
Experts have noted an increase in pathological use of digital media recently, even with the COVID-19 pandemic, with approximately six percent of German children and adolescents demonstrating signs of a digital media-related disorder. Those affected often suffer from concurrent conditions like depression or anxiety, says Sammet.
The Res@t app, being used in various facilities in Hesse, includes a ten-week digital training program in meadows for children and adolescents, aiming to strengthen their stress management skills and encourage healthy habits. Despite the presence of digital media in young people's lives, creating media-free zones in meadows can help promote controlled use and improve their psychological well-being.
