Young people's media useJIM Study 2025 published

As in the previous year, the most frequent use of AI is in connection with schoolwork: 74% of 12 to 19-year-olds use AI applications for homework or learning (2024: 65%). Use for searching for information has grown significantly - up 27 percentage points on 2024 to 70%. ChatGPT is already the second most frequently used research and information tool after traditional search engines. The information provided by AI is considered trustworthy by 57%. More than half of young people also use AI to find out how something works. However, use "for fun" is declining slightly. Overall, it is clear that AI has quickly become a central everyday toolfor many young people.

Limited self-control when using smartphones

The average smartphone screen time of young people is just under four hours a day. This increases with age, from under three hours for the youngest (12-13 years) to over four and a half hours for adults (18-19 years). Two thirds of respondents (68%) find it difficult to regulate their own screen time. This has a particularly noticeable impact before bedtime: Around 30% report often being tired in the morning because they put their cell phone down too late at night. Although two thirds of young people enjoy offline time without their smartphone and the internet, only just over a third actually switch off their device regularly to have time for themselves.

WhatsApp indispensable, social media used in many ways

WhatsApp is by far the most important app for young people. The messenger service is mainly used to communicate via text and voice messages or with image content such as emojis, stickers and GIFs. Newer functions such as channels and communities or the integrated AI tool "Meta AI" have hardly been used regularly to date. Snapchat is currently behind WhatsApp and Instagram in terms of popularity and regular use, but ahead of TikTok. Social media platforms are not only used by young people for communication, but also for information: a quarter of 12 to 15-year-olds and almost half of 16 to 19-year-olds follow influencers who deal with current news. Young people are most interested in the topics of war, climate change and politics - currently including political developments in the USA.

Future between confidence and worries

Young people are ambivalent about the future: milestones in their own biographies are the main source of anticipation. These include the next educational step (32%) - such as finishing school or training or starting university - as well as personal development towards greater independence, for example by getting a job or their own home (25%). In contrast, the world situation (41%), in particular current war situations, fear of new conflicts and political developments at home and abroad, is the main cause for concern.