Tool for supporting adolescents in combating compulsive internet usage
The Freii app, a groundbreaking prevention program aimed at helping young people aged 11 to 15 develop mindful digital media habits, is set to be publicly available from September 22. This innovative app, funded by the Schöpflin and Beisheim foundations, is free for users and offers practical guidance for families and schools to foster reflective and structured media use without demonizing digital media.
Every day, users of the Freii app receive short tasks to complete, either alone or with their parents. These tasks, which take between three to four minutes to complete, are designed to help users identify risk factors related to excessive screen time, such as lack of free time structure, and learn how to protect young people from such excess.
The Freii app was developed by experts from the Villa Schöpflin center, an addiction prevention organization, and was scientifically accompanied during its development. The app's effect was evaluated in a study funded by the Federal Ministry of Health, and the foundation plans to train professionals nationwide in a two-day workshop to support the program's implementation in schools.
Four young people guide users through the program with daily videos, quizzes, and challenges. Comedian and physician Eckart von Hirschhausen supports the project and has created explanatory videos for parents.
The Freii app project is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Health and aims to promote balanced digital media habits among children and adolescents. Measures include scientific evaluation of the app in a funded study, nationwide training for professionals in schools to accompany the program, and providing practical guidance for families and schools to foster reflective and structured media use.
It's worth noting that the average German teenager spends 48 hours a week, or nearly seven hours a day, in front of various screens. This screen time figure is higher than the average for international peers, according to a study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
The Freii app presents a 21-day challenge to users, making it an engaging and interactive way for young people to learn about the importance of balanced digital media use. The app is currently in its beta version, fully usable but with programmers still able to make adjustments if necessary.
In a recent presentation at a Berlin school, the Freii app was showcased as a valuable tool in the fight against excessive screen time among young people. The app's emphasis on open family communication and setting clear rules is seen as a crucial step in helping young people develop healthy digital media habits.
In conclusion, the Freii app is a promising new tool in the fight against excessive screen time among young people. With its engaging design, practical guidance, and scientific backing, the Freii app is set to make a significant impact in promoting balanced digital media habits among German teenagers.
Read also:
- Trump's SNAP reductions and New York City Council's grocery delivery legislation: Problems for city residents highlighted
- Reducing dental expenses for elderlies in Sweden: Over 50% cut in charges for pensioners by the government
- Forty-year-old diet: A list of meal choices to savor
- Exiled Life's Conundrum: A Blend of Liberation, Disillusionment, and Distress
