A new study has shed light on the complex relationship Gen Z shares with social media and the impact it has on their mental health.
Conducted by Talker Research and commissioned by electronics giant LG, the study surveyed 2000 Gen Z Americans about their social media usage patterns. It found that an overwhelming majority believe platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook have negatively impacted their wellbeing.
Alarmingly, it takes them just 38 minutes on these apps to start experiencing emotions like stress, anxiety, and frustration. They wish they could reset their feeds and curate content more selectively.
A key reason for this is lack of control – over half feel they have little agency regarding what surfaces on their timelines. Disturbing content like violence and explicit material compounds the unease.
However, social media also fulfills important needs for Gen Z. It acts as a distraction from boredom, a way to connect with friends and find laughs. They associate positive emotions with funny videos, animals, and inspirational posts.
While platforms have some way to go, Gen Z remains optimistic about improvements. Consuming content strategically when in a good mood also seems to help offset the mental toll.
The study spotlights the need for platforms to empower personalization while protecting users, especially the younger demographic, from unnecessary online harm.
