Six-year trends in problematic social media use prevalence and sociodemographic predictors in German adolescents (2019–2024)

Research on problematic social media use (PSMU) in adolescents is expanding rapidly, yet heterogeneous definitions and limited population-level data hinder accurate assessment of prevalence trends. Using a representative, replenished panel of German adolescents aged 10–17 years, this study examined age- and sex-specific trends in PSMU from pre-to post-COVID-19 and compared PSMU predictors across early and middle adolescence. Data were drawn from six annual online survey waves (2019–2024) comprising 3360 unique parent–child dyads. PSMU was assessed using standardised, ICD-11-aligned self-report questionnaires. Overall, PSMU prevalence nearly tripled during the pandemic, rising from 2.6% in 2020 to a peak of 7.6% in 2023. However, trajectories differed by age group. Among 10- to 13-year-olds, prevalence peaked in 2021 (7.6%), then declined and dropped below pre-pandemic levels by 2024. In contrast, 14- to 17-year-olds showed a delayed yet more persistent rise, peaking in 2023 (8.9%) and remaining elevated thereafter. Age-stratified mixed-effects logistic regression models revealed that in early adolescence, PSMU was positively associated with parental financial worries and negatively associated with adolescent education and parental partnership. In middle adolescence, higher PSMU odds were associated with male sex, while living with both biological parents was negatively associated with PSMU. These findings suggest that pandemic-related disruptions had lasting effects on PSMU prevalence, with risk profiles differing by developmental stage. As social media platforms continue to evolve, there is an urgent need for multisystemic and tailored intervention strategies to effectively foster self-determined and adaptive social media use within age-related norms.