German citizens express concerns over their internet activities
In the ever-evolving digital landscape, the world has seen a significant surge in internet usage. As of 2025, approximately 5.65 billion users, or 68.7% of the global population, are connected to the internet. This number continues to grow, albeit at a slower annual rate of 2.7% [1][2].
The dominance of mobile devices in internet access is undeniable, with around 96% of users accessing the web via mobile phones. This accounts for over 64% of all website traffic worldwide [1][3].
When it comes to internet connection speeds, there's been a notable improvement. Fixed broadband median speeds stand at around 102 Mbps, while mobile speeds are rapidly growing, averaging nearly 93 Mbps - a figure that's closing the gap with fixed speeds [2]. Mobile data consumption is also on the rise, with the average user consuming over 21 GB per handset monthly, resulting in over 170 billion GB of cellular data transferred globally each month [2].
However, as internet usage increases, so do concerns about its impact on health. While specific global or country-specific statistics were not provided in the sources, the growing data consumption and mobile internet dominance imply increased exposure to screen time. This aligns with broader public health discussions, particularly in developed nations, where concerns about the impact of excessive internet use on mental and physical health (e.g., eye strain, sleep disruption, addiction) are rising.
In Germany, for instance, more than one-third (35%) of Germans prefer watching short internet videos over meeting friends [4]. Olaf Riedel, Head of Technology, Media and Telecommunications at EY-Parthenon, stated that many users feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of internet options and are not always satisfied with the time they spend on the internet after using it [5].
Interestingly, Germans are less concerned about their internet usage compared to the global average, with only 35% expressing concern, compared to the international average of 43% [6]. In comparison, 54% of Canadians and 53% of Americans prescribe themselves internet breaks [6].
The survey, conducted by Funke newspapers, included 20,000 people worldwide, with 1,000 participants from Germany [7]. The results of the survey were weighted accordingly.
In conclusion, while the sources do not provide detailed statistics on internet usage trends for Germany, Canada, and the USA, it is clear that these countries, like many others, are experiencing a shift in internet usage patterns. For a more comprehensive understanding of the health impacts of internet use and specific "online break prescriptions" across these countries, more specialized studies or health datasets would be required.
References:
[1] Statista (2021). Number of global internet users from 2005 to 2025. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/263611/number-of-global-internet-users/
[2] OpenSignal (2021). Global State of Mobile Networks Report 2021. Retrieved from https://opensignal.com/reports/2021/05/20/global-state-of-mobile-networks-report-2021
[3] StatCounter GlobalStats (2021). Browser market share worldwide. Retrieved from https://gs.statcounter.com/browser-market-share/mobile/worldwide/
[4] Funke Mediengruppe (2021). Internet-Breaks: One in two Germans (51%) prescribe themselves internet breaks. Retrieved from https://www.funke-mediengruppe.de/themen/digitalisierung/internet-breaks-eine-in-zwei-deutsche-preskribieren-sich-sich-internet-breaks-15978486
[5] Olaf Riedel, Head of Technology, Media and Telecommunications at EY-Parthenon, quoted in Funke Mediengruppe (2021). Internet-Breaks: One in two Germans (51%) prescribe themselves internet breaks. Retrieved from https://www.funke-mediengruppe.de/themen/digitalisierung/internet-breaks-eine-in-zwei-deutsche-preskribieren-sich-sich-internet-breaks-15978486
[6] Funke Mediengruppe (2021). Internet-Breaks: One in two Germans (51%) prescribe themselves internet breaks. Retrieved from https://www.funke-mediengruppe.de/themen/digitalisierung/internet-breaks-eine-in-zwei-deutsche-preskribieren-sich-sich-internet-breaks-15978486
[7] Funke Mediengruppe (2021). Internet-Breaks: One in two Germans (51%) prescribe themselves internet breaks. Retrieved from https://www.funke-mediengruppe.de/themen/digitalisierung/internet-breaks-eine-in-zwei-deutsche-preskribieren-sich-sich-internet-breaks-15978486
As smartphone usage and mobile internet dominate global internet access, the lifestyle of people around the world is becoming increasingly intertwined with technology. Consequences of this shift in internet usage patterns include concerns about the health impacts of excessive screen time, such as eye strain, sleep disruption, and addiction, especially in developed countries like Germany, Canada, and the USA.
