The current episode of “Aha! Ten Minutes of Everyday Knowledge” is about media-related disorders in adolescents – and how these can be treated with a digital training program. Kerstin Paschke, child and adolescent psychiatrist at the German Center for Child and Adolescent Addiction Issues, is leading a research project on an app that supports young people in the conscious use of digital media.
Find out more in the podcast here:
The training via app is aimed specifically at young people, as they are particularly susceptible to Media addictionLink opens in a new tab Due to their developmental stage and the receptivity of their reward system, they react sensitively to content in social networks. This can quickly lead to problematic use, they lose control and neglect social contacts and obligations.
How training supports young people – and adults too
The digital trainingLink will open in a new tab includes several elements. Those affected log their media usage in order to develop a better awareness of their behavior. They should not only record how much time they spend online, but also which activities in the real world they may be neglecting – such as sleeping, eating or friends.
The program also promotes social skills. Young people learn to become more confident in interpersonal relationships and to better deal with stress and emotional challenges. The goal is to restore the balance between the real and digital world.
Although the program was developed for young people, there are plans to adapt it for adults. The basic principles of the app – raising awareness of one’s own media behavior and improving control over it – could also be effective for older target groups, believes child and adolescent psychiatrist Kerstin Paschke. After all, adults should also use Instagram and Co. consciously.
This summary was created using AI from the transcript of our science podcast.
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“Aha! Ten minutes of everyday knowledge” is WELT’s science podcast. In it, we clarify what widespread myths are all about. And which of them you can really believe. Does a counter beer ease a hangover? And does a cold shower toughen you up? What is really true – and what isn’t?
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