Media Use Children Study 2023: First Results on 2–5-Year-Olds' Device Access

Exploring the Digital Playground: Insights from the Media Use Children Study 2023 (miniKIM) on Toddlers’ Media Habits

What is the Media Use Children Study 2023 (miniKIM)?

The Media Use Children Study 2023 refers to miniKIM 2023 by mpfs, a survey of 600 primary caregivers of 2–5-year-olds in Germany (Stand 2025). It maps access and usage patterns across smartphones, tablets, streaming, and voice assistants.

Conducted by the Medienpädagogischer Forschungsverbund Südwest (mpfs), miniKIM 2023 provides a comparable update to the 2020 wave. According to the first published results and the full report, usage and device availability have both risen among two- to five-year-olds, with notable growth in tablets, smartphones, and smart speakers. For methodology and detailed charts, see the miniKIM 2023 report (PDF).

How many toddlers use smart devices daily?

23% of children aged 2–5 use at least one internet-connected device (smartphone, tablet, laptop, voice assistant) daily; counting Mediatheken, streaming, games, or apps, 44% use digital offers daily.

These topline figures underline that connected screens and services have become part of everyday routines for many families with very young children. The numbers align with a broader household trend: more streaming subscriptions, more smart TVs and assistants, and a wider app ecosystem targeting preschoolers.

Key findings from the Media Use Children Study 2023

miniKIM 2023 documents a marked increase in direct access since 2020. Every fifth child has their own tablet (21% vs. 14% in 2020), and nearly one in ten owns or can freely use a smartphone (10% vs. 4% in 2020). Access to a household streaming subscription among children rose from 8% to 13%. Smart speakers also became more common for this age group (8% vs. 3% in 2020). These deltas are drawn from the report’s device-availability section and summarized in the companion analysis by Media Perspektiven.

Increased access to smart devices

Growth is steepest for tablets and voice assistants. Tablets are attractive because touch-first UIs and curated kids’ modes reduce friction for non-readers. Voice assistants add another input path: children can request songs or stories without reading or typing. According to Media Perspektiven’s summary (PDF), children first engage with a mobile phone at an average age of 2.9 years, and roughly one in five uses a phone at least weekly.

What changed since 2020—and why?

Device ownership and autonomous access among 2–5-year-olds rose across the board since 2020, driven by wider household streaming and more kid-ready tablets and smart speakers.

Two structural shifts stand out. First, streaming is near-ubiquitous in families with small children—background statements from study presentations reference roughly four in five households holding a subscription. Second, child-directed UX has matured: kids’ profiles, time limits, and voice control make independent usage easier. Combined with pandemic-era normalizations of at-home screen time, this created a higher baseline of early media familiarity.

Household media equipment trends

Study lead Thomas Rathgeb notes the “very extensive” media equipment in families with small children. More homes now feature smart speakers and multiple screens, and more parents pay for SVOD bundles. For children, this widens both the menu of content and the pathways to reach it, especially where voice control bypasses reading skills. In practice, we also see more preinstalled kids’ hubs on smart TVs and tighter parental control integrations across ecosystems (Apple, Google, Amazon), which lower the barrier for age-appropriate onboarding.

Does earlier access increase parental responsibility?

Yes. As access moves earlier, Sie need to set clearer guardrails and actively co-use to make experiences age-appropriate and safe.

Rathgeb underscores that increased availability comes with greater responsibility for guidance. From an educational perspective, co-viewing, short sessions, and predictable routines matter more than a single “minutes per day” rule. Aus Redaktionssicht empfehlen wir, dass Sie technische Schutzfunktionen konsequent aktivieren und Mediennutzung ritualisieren—etwa feste Vorlese- und Vorab-Download-Zeiten für Offline-Inhalte, statt spontaner, unbegleiteter Nutzung.

• Enable kids’ profiles and app whitelists; set PINs for exits and purchases.
• Use device-level screen time and bedtime schedules; prefer offline playback on trips.
• Curate a small library of high-quality apps and shows; avoid autoplay and infinite scroll.
• Co-use: sit next to your child, talk about what they see, and model how to stop.
• Keep voice assistants in shared spaces and review history regularly.

Project spotlight: “Kindgerechte Zugänge zum Internet”

Early findings from the BzKJ-funded project indicate that even younger children want to connect, play, and learn with peers via digital media—yet the current offer landscape only partially meets that need. In 2024, BzKJ launched a funding program for services that enable age-appropriate experiences and provide orientation. The message from the associated expert forum in Berlin (April 26, 2024): access and participation are part of children’s rights, but require scaffolding by parents, educators, and providers.

How should Sie interpret the risks vs. benefits?

miniKIM 2023 shows rising access and cautious parents; the risk profile centers on content quality, exposure time, and commercial pressure—not on devices per se.

The data reflect that many parents view smartphones critically for small children. That stance is consistent with the practical risk map: unvetted YouTube rabbit holes, in-app ads, and pushy autoplay are more consequential than the screen itself. Quality children’s media—ad-free, short-form, with clear narrative and parental guidance—tends to perform better developmentally than noisy, infinitely scrolling feeds. Where Sie cannot fully control discovery, raise friction: disable autoplay, restrict search, and pre-download content. For context on longitudinal trends and comparative baselines, see the mpfs overview on miniKIM waves and related studies (de).

Mediennutzung Kleinkinder Studie 2023: content patterns and use cases

The Mediennutzung Kleinkinder Studie 2023 indicates a blended diet: music and audiobooks via smart speakers; short-form shows via streaming kids’ hubs; a handful of learning and creative apps on tablets. In the 4–5 bracket (28% with own tablet), simple photo/video creation and voice messages emerge, often facilitated by parents or siblings. The design signal for the industry is clear: large targets, tactile UIs, and predictable navigation outperform novelty. From newsroom tests, we find that preschoolers engage longer with open-ended creation tools (draw, record, build) than with passive video when both are equally accessible.

Policy and practice: where does this leave Sie?

For policymakers and providers, miniKIM 2023 supports two priorities: strengthen default protections in mainstream platforms and co-fund dedicated, ad-free children’s offerings. For Sie as caregivers, the operational takeaway is concrete: choose few, high-quality sources; set routines; and be present during use. Media can be a lever for language, motor skills, and social learning when embedded in conversation and play—not a parking spot.

Fazit

miniKIM 2023—die Media Use Children Study 2023—zeigt: Mehr Geräte im Haushalt führen zu früherem, häufigem Zugriff bei 2- bis 5-Jährigen. 23% nutzen täglich ein vernetztes Gerät, 44% täglich digitale Angebote, mit deutlichen Zuwächsen bei Tablets, Smartphones und Sprachassistenten (Stand 2025). Chancen entstehen durch kindgerechte UIs und kuratierte Inhalte; Risiken durch unkontrollierte Feeds, Werbung und lange Sitzzeiten. Aus Redaktionssicht gilt: technische Schutzfunktionen aktivieren, wenige hochwertige Quellen wählen, Nutzung begleiten. So wird frühe Mediennutzung vom Risiko zur Ressource.

As technology becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives, it's important to consider the implications for young children's exposure to devices. The miniKIM study 2023 highlights how toddlers and preschoolers are interacting with technology more frequently. This raises questions about digital literacy from a young age and the role of innovative educational tools. For instance, the Apple Vision Pro Industrial Training MHP offers insights into how advanced technology can be adapted for educational purposes, potentially benefiting young learners.

Another aspect to consider is the security of the devices that children are using. As they navigate online spaces, protecting their personal information becomes crucial. The Advantages of passkeys over passwords discusses newer, more secure methods to safeguard digital identities, which could be integral in devices used both in educational settings and at home. This technology not only enhances security but also simplifies usability—a perfect combination for use by children.

Moreover, understanding the impact of screen time on health and development is vital. Innovative products like the Dyson augmented reality vacuum cleaner show how technology can merge physical activity with digital interfaces, promoting a more active lifestyle. Such technologies could be adapted to educational tools that encourage physical movement while interacting with digital devices, aligning with developmental needs of young children.