Detmold students lead debate on social media's grip on youth mental health

A public debate on social media's impact on young people is taking place today in Detmold. Students from Leopoldinum Grammar School will share their experiences and propose ways to tackle excessive use. The discussion follows years of growing concern about how platforms affect teens' health and behaviour.

At 1 p.m., a town hall meeting in the market square will bring together pupils, experts, and locals. The event highlights worries that nearly one in four children now shows signs of problematic media habits.

The debate began with Bundestag discussions in 2023, led by the AfD, which called for greater awareness of social media risks. By 2026, parties like Volt included media literacy and safe digital education in their programmes. Their focus shifted to teaching responsible use rather than imposing outright bans.

Students at Leopoldinum Grammar School have been exploring these issues for years. The school's Smartscouts programme, running since 2007, educates pupils about online dangers. Two of its members, Anna and Lukas, start their days by scrolling through trending videos and chats—yet they recognise the downsides. Many teens describe social media as a 'time thief' that feeds them fake content. Lukas compares its addictive pull to taking drugs, explaining how platforms trigger dopamine and endorphins in the brain. Professor Stefanie Horndasch, a child psychiatrist, backs these concerns. She warns that excessive use is making young people physically and mentally unwell. Anna suggests introducing a 'digital driver's licence' with staged training for internet use. Access would expand as children grow older. Meanwhile, a recent survey at the school found over half of under-14s support banning social media for their age group entirely.

The Smartscouts are now working with classmates to develop practical solutions for safer social media habits. Today's discussion will feed into broader efforts to balance digital engagement with wellbeing. Organisers hope the event will push for clearer guidelines on how young people interact with online platforms.