Research & support
Statistics & studies
Smartphones and digital media are a complex issue that affects many aspects of life. Everyone can observe the effects in their daily routine. At the same time, an increasing number of studies show that smartphones and social media are fundamentally changing childhood. The impact of these devices is profound, measurable, and the body of evidence is growing steadily.
Coming soon!
Opportunity costs
96% of 12-13-year-olds in Switzerland own a smartphone. 82% of 12-13-year-olds in Switzerland use social media on their smartphones. 12% of 12-13-year-olds in Switzerland have used AI tools like ChatGPT.
Most parents know that smartphones are harmful, yet almost all children receive one between the ages of 11 and 12. 68% of 10- to 11-year-olds use a smartphone regularly.
Fewer and fewer boys are participating in sports, and 70% drop out of organized athletics by the age of 13. By age 14, girls are twice as likely to quit as boys.
Problematic social media use (i.e., addiction) among Swiss adolescents aged 11 to 15 increased between 2018 and 2022, with the sharpest rise observed in girls aged 13 to 15.
34% of 8- to 9-year-olds own their own smartphone.
1 hour more internet usage by 12-19-year-olds on weekdays compared to 2020, + 90 minutes on weekends.
On average, 12- to 19-year-olds in Switzerland spend 3.07 hours a day online during the week, and 4.5 hours on weekends (median).
Bullying & exclusion
In the UK, children as young as 9 have already been added to malicious WhatsApp groups that incite self-harm, sexual violence, and racism.
45% of girls and 20% of boys have been contacted online by strangers with unwanted sexual intentions.
12% of children aged 12-13 have been asked by a stranger to send an erotic photo of themselves. Among girls aged 12-19, this figure is 37%, while for boys in the same age group, it is 13%.
38% of girls and 34% of boys have had photos or videos of them posted online without their consent.
20% of children in Switzerland have been excluded from online groups at least once.
Bullying and harassment: 1 in 6 school-aged children in Europe experiences cyberbullying.
Harmful content
30% of Swiss children (aged 12-16) reported having seen content on how to self-harm at least a few times over the past year.
42% of children use AI for entertainment. Among 11-year-olds, 44% of conversations involve violence—a higher rate than in any other age group. For 13-year-olds, 63% of chats with AI companions involve sexual or romantic roleplay.
21% of children in Switzerland have had embarrassing or uncomfortable photos or videos of them shared online at least once.
73% of boys and 56% of girls (aged 12-19) in Switzerland have already viewed violent videos on their phone or computer.
26% of children (aged 12-16) in Switzerland reported having seen content multiple times over the past year on how to become extremely thin.
47% of girls have been asked by strangers to send erotic photos. For boys, the figure is 20%.
21% of children in Switzerland have had embarrassing or uncomfortable photos or videos of them shared online at least once.
Social media, pornography & AI
AI-generated child sexual abuse material increased by 400% between 2024 and 2025; of 1,286 confirmed videos, 1,006 were classified as the most severe category (A).
52% of boys aged 12-19 have viewed pornography online. 26% of children aged 12-13 have watched violent videos online. 49% of boys (aged 12-19) have watched violent videos online.
11- to 12-year-olds who spend more than three hours a day on social media are more likely to develop symptoms of depression and anxiety by the age of 13 to 15. This effect is more pronounced in girls than in boys.
According to Meta's estimates, approximately 100,000 children using Facebook and Instagram are sexually harassed online every day, including through the receipt of images of adult genitalia.
Within just three minutes of signing up, fictitious 13-year-old accounts on TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and Instagram were already being served problematic content, including material related to weapons, self-harm, sexualized content, and misogyny.
In 92% of sessions, TikTok presented content related to extreme health, fitness, or dieting to profiles identified as female, and sexualized content in 83% of sessions. For profiles identified as male, misogynistic content appeared in 85% of sessions.
6th and 7th graders who regularly checked their social media activity (Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat) showed changes in their brain's sensitivity to rewards and punishments.
Comparing 2018 and 2022: In 2022, 15% of boys reported having been victims of cyberbullying, compared to 12% in 2018. In 2022, 16% of girls reported having been victims of cyberbullying, compared to 13% in 2018.
According to Meta's estimates, approximately 100,000 children using Facebook and Instagram are sexually harassed online every day, including through the receipt of images of adult genitalia.
Physical & mental health
Almost a quarter (23%) of 15- to 16-year-olds in Switzerland report having unsuccessfully tried to cut back on their time spent online. Nearly a third (31%) state that, as a result, they have too little time for family, friends, or homework.
Among Swiss children aged 11 to 15, nearly one in four was dissatisfied with their appearance. This dissatisfaction was linked to higher rates of problematic mobile phone use.
A study of approximately 11,000 children aged 9-10 in the U.S. showed that an increase in social media use over the course of one year was associated with heightened depressive symptoms.
47% of young people in Switzerland (aged 14-25) report feeling stressed by social media.
A 2023 global study by Sapiens Labs involving 27,969 young adults found that the earlier they received their first smartphone, the poorer their mental health is today.
Furthermore, more than half of Austrian teenagers (aged 11–17) surveyed stated that they would like to change something about their appearance, and over a quarter had already considered cosmetic surgery.
43% of French students report feeling nervous or anxious when their smartphone is not nearby.
Each additional hour of screen time per day increases the risk of nearsightedness by 21%.
Brain scans of adolescents (cortex) suggest that excessive time spent on social media may cause physical changes in the brain, resembling premature aging or "brain fatigue" that could be triggered by inflammation and stress.
A 2023 global study by Sapiens Labs involving 27,969 young adults found that the earlier they received their first smartphone, the poorer their mental health is today.
Among Swiss teenagers (aged 12–19), reports of back pain (17%), headaches (16%), and neck pain (13%) were associated with higher electronic media usage.
Increased screen time is associated with later bedtimes (a delay of 13.2 minutes per hour of screen time), difficulty falling asleep, shorter sleep duration, and an increased risk of insomnia symptoms.
At age 10, every additional hour of screen time is linked to a higher risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
In Switzerland, 31% of 11- to 15-year-olds have experienced sleep disturbances several times a week over the past six months. 14- to 15-year-olds who report problematic mobile phone use—meaning they are unable to control their screen time—suffer from poorer sleep.
Attention & academic performance
MRI scans of 8- to 12-year-olds showed more developed reading centers in those who spent more time reading physical books compared to those who spent their time in front of screens.
75% of students report that their academic performance is negatively affected by smartphone use. 40% check their phones constantly or frequently while studying alone. About 40% check their smartphones constantly or every 5–10 minutes.
A British study of 800 primary and secondary schools found that students at schools with effective smartphone bans achieved grades one to two levels higher than those at schools with less stringent policies.
On a typical day, 11- to 17-year-olds receive 237 notifications.
On a typical day, 11- to 17-year-olds receive 237 notifications.
A study of 6,000 children aged 9-10 found that those who used social media by the age of 13 performed worse on reading and memory tasks. This effect intensified with longer daily social media usage.
If a project is interrupted by an external factor, such as a notification, it takes about 25 minutes to get back on track.
Test subjects who use ChatGPT to write essays show significantly lower brain activity in the regions responsible for cognitive processes, attention, and creativity.
Between 2012 and 2022, standardized test scores in mathematics, reading, and science plummeted in 36 countries among students who spent significant time using devices for leisure during the school day.
In OECD countries, students who spend more than an hour each weekday on social media and using the internet for leisure score 5–20 points lower in mathematics than those who spend an hour or less doing so.
A study in the U.S. found that 12th graders achieved their lowest math scores since 2005 and their lowest reading scores since testing began in 1992.
Social life & family
Teenagers are nearly twice as likely to quit social media if their friends do the same; in a New Zealand study, 61% said it would be easier with friends, compared to 32% who would consider doing it alone.
More than half of parents say that their child's smartphone use leads to major family arguments.
Evidence suggests a link between increased screen time in general and negative outcomes, including reduced physical activity, poorer sleep quality, attention deficits, and emotional or social challenges.
28% of Swiss teenagers would like tips on how to better manage their time online. They are also asking for help with identifying fake news (37%), protecting personal data (35%), and dealing with cyberbullying (31%).
More than half of parents say that their child's smartphone use leads to major family arguments.
A lack of social connection can increase the risk of premature death to the same extent as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. This risk is even greater than that associated with obesity or physical inactivity.
In Switzerland, 55% of children (aged 9-16) who use the internet reported that their parents never or rarely talk to them about their online activities.
Corporations & data
By the time a child turns 13, an estimated 72 million data points have been collected about them. This equates to 12,000 data points for every hour spent online.
The ten largest digital corporations spend more on lobbying in the EU than the ten largest companies in the pharmaceutical, financial, and automotive industries combined. Meta is the biggest lobbyist of them all.
Children struggle to understand how their data is collected online and are unable to provide truly informed consent for data collection.
By the time a child turns 13, an estimated 72 million data points have been collected about them. This equates to 12,000 data points for every hour spent online.
Voices of supporters
Research shows that when children spend a lot of time on smartphones and social media before the age of 13, it can impair their development.
Our children need genuine attention, not screens. A smartphone-free childhood isn't a sacrifice; it’s a gift. I am grateful to the SfKS association for their commitment to this cause.
Just because smartphones are a part of most adults' daily lives, it doesn't mean they should be considered normal for children. Smartphones are not conducive to a developing brain.
When I ask in workshops, "Who has ever seen something on the internet so disturbing that they couldn't sleep afterwards?", almost every child who already has their own smartphone raises their hand.
Children don't need a constant flood of digital stimuli; they need genuine connection, guidance, and the space to develop their superpower: being human.
For most people, the most important emotional skills are developed during the first 16 years of life through complex, real-world interactions with family members, teachers, and friends.
“Social media”—or more accurately, antisocial media—were designed from the outset to be addictive.
Smartphones are marvels of technology that offer many benefits, but they are also powerful, highly addictive tools that can have a devastating impact, especially on children.
Smartphones are a cruel experiment on children—that is why I support a smartphone-free childhood and the work of the association Smartphone-freie Kindheit Schweiz.
Many parents don't seem to realize that saying NO to their child's first smartphone will save them far more stress in the long run than saying YES will in the short term!
When it comes to smartphones, we accept that algorithms are designed to capture children's attention, amplify their emotions, and shape their behavior—all without any guardrails. Choosing not to give a child a smartphone isn't taking anything away from them. It is giving them the gift of freedom, health, and imagination.
Responsible use of digital media only comes about through educating parents, setting clear everyday rules, and communicating with children on an equal footing. I think it’s fantastic that the association is committed to this cause.
A childhood without a smartphone fosters healthy development and strong language skills, while preventing issues like poor concentration, declining academic performance, and exposure to traumatic content.
Smartphones are simply too harmful. We need flip phones for all children and all schools, and we need them now. I support all the parent movements spreading across the globe.
Parents, and mothers in particular, have stood up (...) and so this was an impressive example of what we can achieve together.
Voices of parents
Our eldest son is almost 15 and doesn't have his own smartphone. And he's doing just fine :) We support the Smartphone-Free Childhood (and Youth!) initiative because we believe in the value of real-life social interaction.
Until it is proven that these devices are harmless, young people should learn social behavior from their parents and their environment, rather than from algorithmically selected influencers via smartphones and social media.
This is one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time.
The Smartphone-Free Childhood Switzerland association encourages, inspires, and supports us parents in guiding our children through the digital world responsibly.
When you give a child a smartphone, you are also handing them responsibility for a list of dangers that grows every single day.
Smartphones steal the time we should be spending on real relationships and experiences.
When I sent my children off on their own for the first time, it wasn't just them who had to practice being independent—I did, too!
We are facing a collective dilemma: no child wants to be the "last one" to have a smartphone. The parents' pact is the solution and the way forward!
Smartphones and social media are the opium of the masses; they numb rather than educate, and we adults never learned how to use them in a healthy way ourselves.
Studies show that protecting developing neural connections and emotional regulation is crucial for long-term health.
It is encouraging enough just to know that others are trying to do the same thing I am with my three daughters: giving children a vibrant, loving childhood.
My arguments against giving children their own smartphones at an early age aren't based on numbers, statistics, or studies—they’re simply based on my maternal instinct and the feeling that we’re heading in the wrong direction.
My son, who will soon be nine, has a wonderful ability to focus on the quieter aspects of life. Based on current research, I fear that if I were to give him a smartphone in a year or two, those interests would fade and his engagement with them would diminish.
In schools today, we are seeing a wide range of deficits in children: short attention spans, poor social skills and impulse control, language acquisition delays and disorders, behavioral issues, and an increase in ADHD and autism spectrum disorders, among others.
I don’t want my eleven-year-old daughter caught in this endless cycle of body shaming and negativity that undermines her self-confidence.
Voices of children
The few years I spend without a smartphone are nothing compared to the 45 years I’ll spend in a career that requires skills having absolutely nothing to do with scrolling.
Maybe the kids think they’re cool with a smartphone now and think I’m uncool, but later on, they’ll be the uncool ones and I’ll be the cool one.
When I’m out and about, no one can call me to tell me to pick up milk or to come home early. That’s freedom!
I walk to training by myself twice a week. It takes about 20 minutes. I’m glad I can do this independently.
I started taking the bus into town on my own when I was quite young to get to sports practice. It’s only one bus line, but I was never afraid. I like to watch people on the bus. Most of them are just staring at a screen. I prefer chatting with the older ladies.
Q&A
Our Frequently Asked Questions are designed to help raise awareness about this topic among parents, teachers, schools, policymakers, youth organizations, and clubs.
No, because developing and maturing brains are more vulnerable—essentially "all gas and no brake." For instance, the prefrontal cortex in the male brain doesn't fully develop until age 25, and about two years earlier in females. Waiting until 25 for a smartphone is obviously unrealistic. However, we want to help our children learn how to use these devices healthily while their internal "brakes" are still under construction.
Get involved too!
Sign the
parent pact
By signing the voluntary parent pact, you are taking a stand—and joining a growing community of families who choose not to give their children their own smartphones.
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With your annual membership, you give children freedom instead of filters and humanity instead of manipulation. You become part of a growing community that supports one another and raises awareness in their environment.
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