While internet based surveys have gained importance in recent years, their use in adolescent related research is rare at best. The present paper offers an overview of advantages and disadvantages of online surveys and discusses their use in regard to the questioning of adolescents. In a comparison between two random samples of 13 to 17 year olds, we examine how differences between a telephone (N = 1,784) and an online (N = 1,652) survey materialize in regard to the coverage rate, discontinuation behavior, and item-non-response. The sampling is analyzed further with regard to sociodemographic differences. While there are no expected coverage problems for the adolescent target group, the results show that adolescents from educated families, as well as those with a migration background, took part more often in the online survey as opposed to the telephone survey. Also, a more intensive mobile use of the internet, as well as in part greater sports activity, is connected to a higher willingness to take part in the survey which suggests that the survey topic influences the willingness to participate.