Smartphones, laptops, gaming consoles, or learning apps – digital devices and media have become an integral part of children’s everyday lives. According to a new study by the digital industry association Bitkom, parents in Germany now spend an average of €503 per year on their child’s digital equipment and media use.
Of this amount, around €362 goes into hardware purchases such as smartphones, laptops, consoles, headphones, or smartwatches. A further €141 is spent on communication and access to digital media, including mobile contracts, learning software and apps, or computer and video games.
Spending Patterns Vary Widely
Not all households invest equally. Seven percent of parents reported spending less than €100 on devices in the past 12 months, while nearly a quarter (24%) spent between €100 and €199. Another 25% spent €200 to €499, and 23% between €500 and €999. A smaller group (5%) invested €1,000 or more, whereas 6% reported no spending at all.
“The reality is clear: whether for schoolwork or leisure, personal digital devices have become part of the basic equipment for children,” said Bitkom CEO Dr. Bernhard Rohleder. “Parents should ensure that devices are age-appropriate and that protective settings are properly configured.”
Age plays a significant role. Parents of children aged 6 to 9 reported average hardware spending of €302 in the past year. For 10- to 12-year-olds, the figure was slightly lower at €290. However, once children reach their teenage years, expenses increase sharply: parents of 13- to 15-year-olds spent an average of €437, and those of 16- to 18-year-olds €435.
Digital Media Costs Remain Modest
Compared to devices, spending on digital services and content is somewhat lower. Four percent of parents spent under €50 on mobile contracts, games, or learning apps for their child in the last year. Seventeen percent invested between €50 and €99, while the majority (45%) spent between €100 and €199. About 21% paid between €200 and €499, and only 1% spent €500 or more. Just 1% reported no spending in this category at all.
Unlike hardware, these costs show little variation across age groups once children turn 10. Parents of 6- to 9-year-olds spent an average of €127 on digital media. For older children, the amounts remained fairly steady: €149 for ages 10–12, €144 for ages 13–15, and €146 for ages 16–18.
Study Background
The data is based on a representative survey conducted by Bitkom Research on behalf of the German digital association Bitkom. Between calendar weeks 22 and 27 of 2025, a total of 1,004 parents of children aged 6 to 18 were interviewed by phone. Respondents were asked to estimate how much they had spent in the last 12 months on digital devices and on access to digital media for their child.
