ABSTRACT
New media such as smartphone apps and virtual reality (VR) are increasingly being used in pediatric psychosomatic care. The advantages concerning diagnostic assessments lie in the collection of data in daily life as well as in a realistic and standardized data collection with VR. With respect to treatment, self-administered and hybrid technologies can be distinguished from computer-assisted and computer gaming-based interventions. They are all applied in pediatric psychosomatic care to an increasing extent, e.g. in the treatment of pain, encopresis, chronic illnesses as well as comorbid depressive and anxiety disorders. The utilization of VR also offers great advantages in research due to eliciting true to life reactions, while simultaneously providing maximum control. Nevertheless, contraindications, such as psychosis, epilepsy and migraine must be considered. An extensive training of professionals is therefore necessary for the application of new media in diagnostics, treatment and research.