Technology introduced to combat teenagers' excess digital usage
The 'freii' app, a groundbreaking digital media prevention program for teenagers aged 11 to 15, is set to launch nationwide. Developed by experts at the Villa Schöpflin in Lörrach, the app is funded by the Schöpflin Foundation and the Beisheim Foundation.
The app, which will be available from September 22 in its beta version, aims to help teenagers and their parents adopt a mindful approach to digital media platforms like TikTok or Instagram. It offers daily short tasks for teenagers to complete, either alone or with their parents, with tasks taking between three and four minutes to complete.
Four young people guide the teenagers daily through the program with videos, quizzes, and challenges. Comedian and physician Eckart von Hirschhausen provides explanatory videos specifically for parents within the app, offering guidance and support.
The developers plan to offer workshops for school staff to accompany the program's implementation, ensuring a smooth transition into schools nationwide. The 'freii' app was scientifically accompanied and its effects were evaluated in a study funded by the Federal Ministry of Health.
According to a study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), German teenagers spend more time on TikTok, computer games, and other digital applications than their international peers, with 15-year-olds in Germany spending almost seven hours a day in front of their various screens, amounting to 48 hours a week.
The 'freii' app is designed to balance media use, screen time, and leisure time, providing a valuable resource for both teenagers and their parents in navigating the digital world together. The app was developed as part of a 21-day challenge and is already fully usable in its beta version, although programmers can still fine-tune it in case of any issues.
The 'freii' app is a free resource for users, funded by the Schöpflin Foundation and the Beisheim Foundation. Besides the Schöpflin Foundation, no other foundation is explicitly mentioned as involved in the development of the 'freii' app in the provided search results.
The 'freii' app was presented at a Berlin school on Wednesday, marking the beginning of its journey to help teenagers and their parents adopt a healthier and more mindful approach to digital media.
