Tool designed to assist adolescents in combating cyber dependence
In a bid to combat excessive screen time among young people, an innovative app called 'Freii' has been developed by experts at Villa Schöpflin, a centre for addiction prevention in Loerrach, Germany. This app, set to be publicly available from September 22, is designed to help users aged 11 to 15 develop mindful digital media habits.
The app's primary goal is to balance media use, screen time, and leisure time. It achieves this by offering daily short tasks for users to complete, either alone or with their parents. These tasks, taking between three to four minutes, are guided by four young people through daily videos, quizzes, and challenges.
At a recent press conference in Berlin, Daniel Ott, the deputy director of Villa Schöpflin, emphasised that 'it's not about demonizing digital media.' Instead, the app aims to provide strategies for protecting young people from excessive screen time, such as setting clear rules and fostering open family communication.
To ensure its effectiveness, the app has been scientifically accompanied and its impact was evaluated in a study funded by the Federal Ministry of Health. The beta version of the app is already fully usable, with programmers still making adjustments if needed.
Comedian and physician Eckart von Hirschhausen supports the project with explanatory videos for parents. The app, funded by the Schoepflin and Beisheim foundations, is free for users.
The app's rollout extends to schools, with it being offered for implementation. In addition, a foundation plans to train educators nationwide in a two-day workshop to support the program's implementation in schools.
Statistics from a study by the OECD reveal that German teens spend an average of 48 hours weekly, or nearly seven hours daily, on digital devices. With the increasing reliance on digital media, the need for tools like Freii becomes even more crucial.
The app 'Freii' is set to make a significant impact in helping young people manage their digital media usage, promoting a healthier balance between screen time and leisure time.
