3 In 4 Gen Z Feel Anxious After Using Social Media But They Cannot Quit, Here’s Why

In a digital post-pandemic world, gadgets have assumed an altogether different importance in the world of youth, particularly Gen Z. From assignments to entertainment, they are always connected to the internet. Here, much of their time is spent on social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. While social media provides a way to stay connected with friends and the world, new concerns about their rampant use emerge daily. A new study by Talker Research, commissioned by LG Electronics, has highlighted the negative impact of social media use on the mental health of Gen Z users.

The survey, conducted online between June 20 and June 24, involved 2,000 Gen Z social media users from America. The findings pointed to Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok as the platforms most associated with ushering negative emotions. Nearly half of the respondents, 49%, reported feelings of stress and anxiety after using social media, with 30% specifically citing these emotions. The major contributors to these feelings were found to be content featuring physical violence, politics, and sexually explicit material. Another grave concern revealed from the study was that it takes only 38 minutes for these negative feelings to affect young users.

Moreover, over half of the participants, 54% felt they had limited or no control over the content that appears on their feeds. They reported frustration with the content on their feeds, stating that it did not align with their interests or preferences.

Despite these negative feelings, Gen Z found it difficult to disengage from social media even if they wanted to. The study revealed that the primary reason for this was boredom. Other reasons included the desire to laugh or smile, seeking a distraction, staying informed about current events, and keeping up with friends.

Louis Giagrande, Head of US Marketing at LG Electronics, shared that significant time spent on social media can leave users feeling drained. He urged users to be more conscious of the content they engage with, emphasising the importance of fostering balance, inspiration, and happiness in their online interactions. Giagrande also suggested that users take proactive steps to “reset” their feeds by engaging more with positive content, which could encourage algorithms to show more uplifting posts.