Thursday, August 14, 2025

Study Reveals: Even Young Children Face High Stress from School Pressure and Media Use

Stress is no longer just an adult issue – children are affected, too. A new representative study by the Super Chill Foundation in collaboration with the Civey opinion research institute shows that one in three parents in Germany and one in four in Austria perceive their children as highly or very highly stressed.

School Pressure, Bullying, and Media as Main Stressors

The causes are well-known: academic pressure, homework, and tests top the list, followed by bullying and social exclusion. In Austria, 42% of parents say tests and homework are stressful – in Germany, it's 36%. Nearly one-third report their children are affected by bullying.

Media Can Lead to Loneliness

Media consumption is another key stress factor. According to a study by DAK and the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, over 25% of 10- to 17-year-olds use social media in problematic ways. Neurobiologist Martin Korte warns that excessive media use can lead to loneliness, anxiety, depression, and addiction-like behaviors.

Behavioral Changes Due to Stress

Stress manifests not only emotionally but also behaviorally: More than half of parents observe irritability and mood swings in their children. Other consequences include poor academic performance and sleep problems, with lasting effects on development.

Digital Support Through Mindfulness

The Super Chill Foundation offers a solution – a free, ad-free app providing child-friendly mindfulness and stress relief exercises. The app includes guided routines, emotion recognition tools, and calming practices. 72% of German parents welcome this digital support, compared to 47% in Austria.

Building Resilience Is Key

The focus lies on building resilience – emotional strength to deal with challenges. According to education scientist Nina Kolleck: "Studies clearly show that children who regularly practice relaxation techniques perform better and develop stronger mental health."