From the Kids TV Series Die Pfefferkörner to the First-Person Shooter Call of Duty Internet, Social Media and Smartphone Use in the Transition from Childhood to Adolescence

Abstract

The article presents two qualitative studies by the authors, which focus on the changes regarding the (online) use of media from childhood to adolescence and make visible personal interpretations, ways of dealing and reflection processes of media action. The latter are generally not taken into account in quantitative studies, so that we chose a qualitative methodological approach with group discussions with adolescents. Group discussions with primary school children (4th grade) show that nine-year-olds (in average) are already turning to media (content) aimed primarily at young people and adults. However, their understanding about the Internet in general and social networking sites in particular is still inaccurate and superficial. In addition, the use often takes place in the family context. This changes with the receipt of their first smartphones. In general, the children get one after the fourth grade during the transition to secondary school, as shown by the group discussions with the respondents from the fifth, sixth and seventh grades. With regard to the challenges of dealing with the Internet, social media and smartphones, the media literacy of the children surveyed increases over time; uncertainties remain, however.