German internet use drops significantly, study finds

Germans are spending significantly less time online, with a notable drop of five hours per week compared to the previous year, according to the Postbank Digital Study 2026. The average German now spends 67.4 hours weekly on the internet.

This decline is largely attributed to a shift in behavior among individuals under 40. This demographic, often characterized as "always-on," is consciously reducing their online activities, particularly smartphone usage. While they remain the most intensive users, spending over 80 hours online weekly, their dedicated smartphone time has decreased by three hours to 31 hours per week. A substantial 31 percent of this age group plans to further limit their private internet use in the next twelve months.

Despite the overall reduction, the smartphone remains the dominant device for internet access, used by 86 percent of the population. However, even mobile screen time has seen a decrease, falling from 25.7 to 23.9 hours weekly. Across all age groups, 17 percent expressed a desire to reduce their time online.

David Dommel, head of digital performance marketing at Postbank, noted that while the internet is integral to daily life, younger people, in particular, seek offline time. The study also highlights the indispensable role of the internet in professional life, with employed individuals spending an average of 2.8 hours daily online, primarily via laptops and desktops.

Looking ahead, artificial intelligence is identified as a key factor that could reverse the trend of declining screen time. Among those who intend to use the internet more in the future, AI is the most significant reason cited by 56 percent. Currently, 38 percent of Germans are already using AI tools like ChatGPT for information retrieval. The desire for more analog activities, such as spending time with family and friends or pursuing hobbies, is a primary motivation for digital withdrawal for 41 percent of those reducing their internet use, with 38 percent seeking less distraction and 36 percent citing negative health effects.

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The internet is firmly part of the daily routine of Germans – but especially young people also want to be offline sometimes.