# The German national guideline “prevention of dysregulated screen media use in childhood and adolescence”

## TL;DR

Germany has created a national guideline to prevent problematic screen media use in children and adolescents by setting age-specific limits and emphasizing parental supervision.

## Contribution

The guideline introduces the 3-6-9-12 rule for age-specific screen time limits and emphasizes parental involvement in managing screen use.

## Key findings

- Dysregulated screen media use is defined by problematic duration, content, or function.
- The 3-6-9-12 rule sets screen time limits with increasing age and emphasizes parental guidance.
- The guideline highlights the need for ongoing research in a rapidly changing digital environment.

## Abstract

The increasing prevalence of digital media has raised concerns regarding its potential impact on child and adolescent development. In response, Germany has developed a National AWMF (Association of the Scientific Medical Societies) Guideline titled "Prevention of Dysregulated Screen Media Use in Childhood and Adolescence". This guideline was created through a structured, interdisciplinary consensus process involving experts in pediatrics, psychiatry, psychology, and public health. Dysregulated screen media use is defined as problematic usage patterns in terms of duration, content, or function. The guideline introduces age-specific recommendations aligned with the 3-6-9-12 rule, discouraging any screen exposure before age 3, and progressively increasing screen time limits while maintaining strong parental supervision. For example, children aged 3–6 years should have no more than 30 minutes of screen time under parental guidance, while 9–12-year-olds are limited to 45–60 minutes, without daily use or personal game consoles. Overarching principles include limiting total screen time, avoiding screen use during meals, and discouraging its use as a behavioral tool. Emphasis is placed on parental involvement and awareness of school-related screen exposure. The guideline provides a comprehensive, developmentally informed framework aimed at promoting healthier digital habits in children and adolescents, while highlighting the ongoing need for research in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.