When it comes to technology, how do kids in Germany differ from their global peers?

Using our latest research on kids aged 6 to 11, here’s what we’ve learned:

German kids have less exposure – and attachment – to technology. In Germany, 32% of kids have their own smartphone and 27% have their own tablet. These levels are below their global peers, at 37% and 41%, respectively. Just 34% of German kids say they learn about technology in school, compared with 59% of global kids. Technology plays a less central role in German kids’ lives, with 42% of those aged 9 to 11 feeling that being connected to the internet is as much a part of everyday life as eating and sleeping, compared with 60% globally.

They’re enthusiastic about technology, but to a lesser degree than kids elsewhere. Most German kids love technology (70%), but this figure is higher among their global peers (83%). A majority in Germany (65%) think learning to code is cool, but globally a higher percentage (75%) shares this sentiment. German kids aged 9 to 11, along with some of their Northern European peers, are also significantly less likely to believe the internet has introduced them to things they would not have discovered otherwise (50% vs. 76% globally).

Online privacy is not as much of a concern. Perhaps because their access to technology is more limited, German kids are less concerned about the privacy of their data. Just under half (49%) worry that someone will get their personal information online, compared to 69% among global kids. However, German kids do strongly favor setting rules for what parents can share on social media (81%).

Their favorite activities are IRL experiences. German kids gravitate toward activities that don’t involve technology. When asked how they relieve stress, their top responses were listening to music (53% in Germany vs. 40% globally), spending time with parents (43% vs. 29%), hanging out with friends (38% vs. 29%), and reading (38% vs. 23%). Their favorite activities in general are playing with friends (63% vs. 44%), playing outside (59% vs. 46%), and playing with toys (55% vs. 45%).