Internet usage in Germany
The number of internet users in Germany has been growing annually. In 1997 4.1 million people used the internet at least occasionally and in 2022 this number was 67 million. This can be attributed to people spending more time at home and therefore turning to the internet more frequently, be it for communication, daily tasks or media consumption.Not only has the amount of people who use the internet risen but so has the frequency with which they use it. A rising number of German internet users go online several times a day. This is because many people now use the internet both at work and for personal use. In Germany over 90 percent of households now have internet access compared to just over 60 percent in 2006.
Social media and the internet
The German population was generally interested in the internet as such and using online services. In recent years social media has become an increasingly popular way for people to stay in touch and share their lives online. It has become an integral part of the lives of teenagers in Germany with platforms such as Youtube, Instagram, and TikTok being the most popular.Another use for the internet, that gained popularity, is making calls over the internet, both telephone, and video. The number of people using this function has steadily increased over the years but saw a sharp increase in 2020, when people were in lockdown.