German parents spend an average of 503 euros annually on digital devices and media for their children, according to a recent study released by the German IT industry association, Bitkom. Of this, 362 euros is allocated to hardware – including smartphones, laptops, gaming consoles and headphones – while 141 euros is spent on associated costs like mobile contracts, paid educational software, apps and computer/video games.
The expenditure on devices varies considerably, with seven percent of parents reporting spending less than 100 euros in the last twelve months. Further breakdowns reveal that 24 percent spent between 100 and 199 euros, 25 percent between 200 and 499 euros and 23 percent between 500 and 999 euros. A smaller segment, five percent, spent 1,000 euros or more, while six percent reported no expenditure.
A marked increase in spending on devices becomes apparent from the age of 13. Parents of children aged 6-9 spent approximately 302 euros on devices, a figure mirrored by those with children aged 10-12 at around 290 euros. This contrasts with parents of 13-15 year olds, who spent an average of 437 euros and those with 16-18 year olds, at 435 euros.
Expenditure on digital media – including mobile contracts, games and learning apps – is somewhat lower. Four percent of parents spent less than 50 euros on these items in the last year, with a further 17 percent spending between 50 and 99 euros. The largest group, 45 percent, spent between 100 and 199 euros, while 21 percent spent between 200 and 499 euros. Only one percent reported spending 500 euros or more, with another one percent spending nothing.
Spending on these digital services remains relatively consistent across age groups from ten years old. Parents of children aged 6-9 spent an average of 127 euros on digital media annually, rising to 149 euros for 10-12 year olds and remaining stable at 144 euros for 13-15 year olds and 146 euros for 16-18 year olds.
The data is based on a telephone survey of 1,004 parents with children aged between six and 18, conducted between the 22nd and 27th calendar weeks of 2025.