Germans Embrace Digital Detox, Limiting Internet Usage
Folks in Germany are spending less time on the web these days - a surprising change of pace. The internet usage is actually decreasing for the first time, with this trend potentially continuing.
Typically, people in Germany aren't as glued to the internet as they were last year. A study published in Bonn by Postbank revealed a decline in internet hours to 69 hours per week, a decrease of two hours compared to the previous year. Even with this drop, Germans still put in a substantial amount of time on the web, with 69 hours per week being the second highest figure since the study began nine years ago.
In the Corona year of 2020, the value was reportedly around 56 hours per week. In the first year of the survey in 2015, it was only 40 hours per week. A total of 3171 people in Germany were interviewed for the representative survey in April.
Younger internet enthusiasts, known as Digital Natives (aged between 18 and 39), are the most dedicated users. They account for half of all weekly hours spent online (85 hours). However, their internet usage is also on the decline. Last year, they clocked in at over 93 hours per week. People over 40 use around 62 hours per week of the internet. This figure remains the same as the previous year.
Less time for online chats or video calls?
The survey indicates that 17% of people in Germany plan to cut back their internet usage even more. 36% of the interviewees intend to purchase items online less often. Additionally, 19% of the interviewees plan to engage in fewer video chats or online conferences. The trend of skipping binge-watching sessions is harder for the Germans to break, as only 18% are prepared to watch less, compared to 29% the previous year. The most common measure for reducing online usage is a temporary break from social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram & Co., which 40% of the interviewees aim to take.
The smartphone remains the undisputed favorite for internet browsing. Around 86% of people use it, with a weekly usage time of 24 hours. In second place come laptops, with a 67% usage rate and a weekly usage time of 11.5 hours. Desktop PCs are used by 47%, amounting to 9.8 hours per week. Smart-TVs are used for online browsing on average for 9.6 hours per week, while tablets are used for 5.7 hours per week.
"The smartphone has grown even more crucial. For the younger generation, it serves as the go-to device for communicating, gathering information, passing time, and shopping," asserts Thomas Brosch, Head of Digital Sales at Postbank.
The study also reveals the variety of online activities beyond smartphones and PCs: The use of intelligent language assistants like Amazon's Alexa is seeing a slight increase: 21% use them now compared to 17% in 2023, and they spend an average of 3.1 hours per week on them. "Wearables" like Smartwatches and Fitness Trackers are used by 13%, for which they spend an average of 3.3 hours per week. Younger "Digital Natives" in particular are driving this health trend by spending an average of 5.5 hours per week with Smartwatches and the like.
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The decrease in internet usage among Germans has led to an increase in interest in Mobile Internet surveys, particularly among international researchers, aiming to understand the shift in digital behavior. As a result of the decreased internet use, companies offering online services, such as video conferencing platforms and e-commerce sites, may see a decrease in surveys regarding international internet use and customer engagement.
