In observance of World Mental Health Day on October 10, 2026, the focus in October will be on media addiction. The goal is to raise awareness about risky media consumption, recognize potential warning signs, and offer suggestions for a healthy and balanced approach to digital media.

Digital media are part of everyday life for children and adolescents. Scrolling, gaming, streaming, and using social media can provide entertainment, foster interaction, and enable participation. At the same time, very intensive media use can lead to stress, especially when it increasingly crowds out other important areas of life.

The key question here is whether you still have control over your own media use. Problematic use can manifest, for example, in using media late into the night, which cuts into sleep and rest. Restlessness or irritability when digital media are unavailable can also be signs of risky use.

Other signs may include increasingly neglecting friends, school, hobbies, or other daily activities. Even if your thoughts frequently revolve around digital gaming, social media, or streaming, it may be helpful to take a closer look at your own media consumption.

Media addiction is diagnosed when excessive media use significantly interferes with daily life and virtual activities become increasingly more important than social interactions and other areas of life.

It is important to note that media addiction cannot be diagnosed remotely or based on isolated signs. Whether an actual addiction or another issue requiring treatment is present can only be determined through a professional evaluation. Anyone who observes such changes in themselves, a child, or a teenager and is concerned should therefore consult a doctor, a mental health professional, or a specialized counseling center.

The Youth Protection Agency offers some simple tips for achieving more balance in daily digital life:

• Schedule media-free times: Regular breaks from smartphones, gaming, and streaming create space for other activities.
• Use time limits: Settings on smartphones, tablets, or gaming consoles can help you keep track of your screen time.
• Create a balance: Activities such as sports, exercise, meeting up with friends, or hobbies can serve as a good counterbalance to digital use.
• Talk about digital stress: Anyone who feels stressed by social media, FOMO (“Fear of Missing Out”), or their own media use should confide in family, friends, or a counseling center.

“Digital media are an integral part of the lives of children and adolescents. This makes it all the more important not only to discuss the opportunities offered by digital platforms but also to take potential stressors and warning signs seriously,” says Jana Schmöller, Director of Children and Youth Services. 

Help and Counseling

Do you need immediate help? If you have urgent concerns or questions about addiction, you can call the nationwide addiction hotline at 01806 313031 or use the digital counseling platform DigiSucht (opens in a new tab).

There are also resources in Mainz that children, teens, parents, and family members can turn to:

Youth
Counseling Phone: 0 61 31 / 23 45 77
Email: beratungsstellebruecke.mainzde

Specialized Center for Gambling and Media Addiction
, Caritasverband Mainz e. V.
Phone: 0 61 31 / 907 46 25
Email: c.bolwin@caritas-mainz.de

If you’re unsure about your own media use or that of a family member, you don’t have to wait until the situation escalates. Even if you have initial concerns or questions, it can be helpful to seek professional counseling.

Through its “Topic of the Month” series, the Mainz Child and Youth Protection Office regularly addresses current developments and issues in the digital world. The goal is to inform children, youth, parents, and educational professionals; promote media literacy; and provide concrete suggestions for a safe, mindful, and responsible use of digital media.