New electronic media and addictive behaviour - risks, coping strategies and prevention options

  • Type of event:

    Public expert discussion

  • Venue:

    Deutscher Bundestag Platz der Republik, 11011 Berlin
    Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders-Haus, Anhörungssaal MELH 3.101

  • Date:

    09.06.2016

  • Time:

    15.00-17.00

The topic of »new electronic media and addictive behaviour« is moving into the focus of socio-political discussions in view of the increasing mediatisation of society and ever younger users. The question of what constitutes media addiction has not yet been answered unambiguously in both scientific and social discourse. This lack of clarity also results from the constant process of change in which the media and the Internet, media content and consequently also media use patterns find themselves. In addition, the understanding of what constitutes "normal" media use behaviour in the course of the advanced mediatisation of society diverges significantly between the generations, among others, and leads to intensive disputes and conflicts within families, for example, but also in educational institutions.

Against this background, the Committee on Education, Research and Technology Assessment (ABFTA) commissioned the Office of Technology Assessment at the German Bundestag (TAB) to prepare a TA study on the subject of "New electronic media and addictive behaviour - risks, coping strategies and prevention options". The focus of the study was to review the scientific findings on the extent and consequences of addictive media use, to address the various scientific and socio-political concerns, interests and value orientations of the stakeholders involved and to describe possible political courses of action.

Within the framework of the event to strengthen the public debate on the topic of "New electronic media and addictive behaviour", the results of TAB's investigations were presented and discussed with members of the German Bundestag, experts and the interested public on the basis of three guiding questions:

  • What is addiction in society?
  • Is there such a thing as media addiction?
  • What are the options for political action and the need for regulation?

Further Information

Recording of the event