Use of health apps and digital health applications by adolescents in Germany

Objectives. The use of smartphones by teenagers in Germany has risen strongly. At the same time, app use is also increasing. However, there is little data on the use of health apps and mobile health applications by teenagers in Germany. This study deals with this topic and also examines possible correlations with socio-demographic data and health parameters. Methods. From November 2021 to February 2022, a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted among tenth graders in all nine municipal secondary schools in the city of Witten. The data was analysed using descriptive analyses, contingency analyses and logistic regression analyses. Results. 98.3% of the students in class (n = 649) participated in the survey. Overall, 80.7% used health apps and applications, 54.2% health apps without COVID-19 reference. The most frequently used apps were the Corona vaccination passport (58.1%) and the Corona warning app (37.9%), followed by movement trackers (31.1%), online sports programs (22.3%) and calorie counters (14.0%). Girls showed significantly higher odds of using health apps without a COVID-19 reference (aOR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.26-2.52), secondary modern school students showed lower odds (aOR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.17-0.81). There is no correlation with the general subjective health status. Conclusions. Health apps play a relevant role in the everyday life of adolescents in Witten. Frequent use can be associated with both opportunities and risks; here, differentiation should be made according to the type, purpose and quality of the apps. Differences in usage behavior and barriers to usage according to gender and educational level justify further studies to promote digital health literacy.