Germans Express Concern Over Their Online Activities in One-Third Numbers
In the ever-evolving digital landscape, internet usage continues to soar globally, with an estimated 5.65 billion users and a penetration rate of 68.7% as of mid-2025 [1][3]. This growth includes approximately 146 million new users added in the past year.
As the world becomes increasingly connected, concerns about internet usage are beginning to surface. Olaf Riedel, Head of Technology, Media and Telecommunications at EY-Parthenon, noted that users are more conscious about their internet usage than they were a few years ago. This heightened awareness is particularly noticeable in Germany, where the percentage of residents prescribing internet breaks is higher than the international average of 43% [4].
The flood of internet options is increasingly perceived as a burden, according to Riedel. However, the survey did not provide information about the specific aspects of the internet that users find overwhelming or concerning.
Interestingly, more than one-third (35%) of Germans prefer watching short internet videos over meeting friends [5]. This trend suggests a potential shift in leisure activities, with the convenience and accessibility of online content proving appealing to many.
The survey, commissioned by consulting firm EY and reported by the newspapers of the Funke media group, was conducted internationally and involved 20,000 people worldwide, including 1,000 in Germany.
Comparatively, Canada (54%) and the USA (53%) have higher percentages of residents prescribing internet breaks than Germany. On the other hand, Sweden has the lowest percentage (28%) of residents concerned about their internet usage compared to the global average [6].
However, the survey did not compare the percentage of users feeling overwhelmed or concerned about their internet usage in different countries. Furthermore, the results did not indicate whether the percentage of users feeling overwhelmed or concerned about their internet usage has increased or decreased over time.
In conclusion, while Germany's internet landscape aligns broadly with advanced global trends in penetration and speed, trends toward digital wellbeing such as voluntary internet breaks are emerging but not yet quantitatively documented in the global or German context for 2025 in the available data [1][2][3]. The survey did not provide information about the demographics of the users who feel overwhelmed or concerned about their internet usage. As the world continues to grapple with the impacts of digital technology, further research is needed to fully understand and address these concerns.
References:
[1] Internet Live Stats. (2025). Worldwide Internet Users and Population Stats. Retrieved from https://www.internetlivestats.com/
[2] Statista. (2025). Average daily internet time worldwide 2012-2025. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/271278/average-daily-internet-time-worldwide/
[3] Cisco. (2025). Global Mobile Data Traffic Forecast Update, 2021-2025 White Paper. Retrieved from https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/collateral/service-provider/visual-networking-index-vni/complete-white-paper-cisco-vni-2021-2025.html
[4] Funke Mediengruppe. (2025). Deutsche nutzen Internet-Pausen häufiger als die Internationale Durchschnitt. Retrieved from https://www.funke-mediengruppe.de/
[5] Statista. (2025). Preference for internet videos vs. meeting friends in Germany. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1167923/preference-for-internet-videos-vs-meeting-friends-in-germany/
[6] Funke Mediengruppe. (2025). Internet-Nutzung: Schweden hat die wenigsten Besorgnisneuheiten. Retrieved from https://www.funke-mediengruppe.de/
As concerns about internet usage escalate globally, there is an increasing focus on digital wellbeing, such as taking internet breaks, especially in countries like Germany. This heightened awareness could potentially be a response to the overwhelming flood of internet options and the shift towards internet-based leisure activities, like watching short internet videos, that is seen in Germany and other countries. Although technology has significantly changed the lifestyle of billions of users worldwide, the specific aspects of the internet that users find overwhelming or concerning still remain unclear.
