Gen Z Expresses Social Media Regret
A new survey indicates that four in ten Gen Z members wish social media had never been invented. The finding comes as part of an announcement from Ville, a social app focused on in-person connections, which is launching a new feature to facilitate real-life meetups among friends. The data suggests a growing desire for alternatives to online-only interaction within the generation raised on the internet.
- A recent Harris Poll survey found that 60% of Gen Z adults believe social media has a more negative than positive impact on society, with 23% spending seven or more hours daily on these platforms. - The same poll revealed that when asked which social media platforms they wish were never invented, X/Twitter and TikTok topped the list for Gen Z. - Despite negative feelings, social media remains a primary news source for 75% of Gen Z, a higher percentage than any other generation. - Research indicates a strong link between heavy social media use (7+ hours a day) and a doubled likelihood of depression and anxiety in adolescents. - In response to the negative effects, 83% of Gen Z have taken steps to limit their social media use, with common actions including unfollowing accounts (42%) and deleting apps (40%). - While platforms like TikTok and Instagram are popular for entertainment, YouTube has the highest reach among Gen Z, with 84% of mobile internet users in this demographic visiting the app. - The desire for more authentic connections has led to the rise of apps like BeReal, which saw a 103% increase in reach among 18-24 year olds between April 2022 and April 2023. - Social media can also provide positive community connections, which is particularly important for LGBTQ+ youth who often use these platforms to find support and connect with each other.
