Over the past few years, Gen Z has developed a reputation for being a little…different. For starters, teens have been dying (more about that later) and those who are left alive aren’t just depressed they’re experiencing unprecedented levels of anxiety.
It turns out that growing up in the age of social media and climate change can really take its toll on a kid. Add in the fact that these kids seem to want to live on Mars, and it’s easy to see why they’re so stressed out.
Here’s what we know about Generation Z: how they grew up, what they worry about most, and how this makes them unique among American youth.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Generation Z faces unique mental health challenges in the digital age, including issues related to digital death, depression, and anxiety. |
| 2. The impact of social media and digital technology on Generation Z’s mental well-being should not be underestimated, as it can lead to feelings of isolation and comparison. |
| 3. Early intervention and support are crucial for addressing Generation Z’s mental health concerns and promoting overall well-being. |
| 4. Society must work towards raising awareness about mental health and reducing the stigma associated with seeking help. |
| 5. Policymakers and healthcare systems need to develop targeted mental health services and integrated care to effectively address the behavioral health challenges facing Generation Z. |
Death Of The Internet
Are we on the verge of an internet death?
The concept is the brainchild of Tom Chatfield, a writer, and fellow at the University of London’s Royal Society.
In his book “How to Thrive in the Digital Age,” he argues that in our ever-connected world, we’ve become too distracted by our phones and computers and as a result, we’re not paying attention to what’s happening around us.
According to Chatfield: “You could compare it to driving down a motorway with your eyes glued to your rearview mirror.”
In other words: The internet has become so pervasive that people can’t enjoy it anymore because they’re constantly checking their email or trying to find out something new from Google searches.
It’s like eating dessert first instead of saving that pleasure until after dinner; you might get mad when someone steals your ice cream cone because now you don’t have anything left!
Generation Z has the power to shape the future and create a positive impact. Embrace your potential and explore the opportunities that lie ahead. Learn more about the aspirations of Generation Z: The Future Is Yours to Make and make your mark on the world.
Turning To Social Media For The News
To stay informed, Generation Z is turning to social media. They rely on social networks for news and information about current events, both national and international.
Even when it comes to getting the latest scoop on celebrity gossip or sports scores, Generation Z turns to social media as their primary source of information.
This group is so attached to their devices (and especially their phones) that they’re more likely than other generations to check the news daily while they’re home alone or traveling between activities like work or school.
Why do they do this? Because social media makes it easy for them: They can read articles from multiple sources in one place without having to switch between different apps they just open up Twitter or Facebook instead of Google News!
Depression, Anxiety, And Suicide Rates Are Skyrocketing
We’re seeing an upswing in depression and anxiety rates, as well as suicide. Here are some facts to know about this new generation and their mental health:
Depression is on the rise, especially in children and young people. It’s been reported that one-in-six kids will be diagnosed with depression before they reach adulthood!
With these statistics in mind and considering that Generation Z makes up one-fourth of people under 18 years old mentally healthy habits are becoming more vital than ever before.
Suicide rates have increased among all age groups since 1999; suicide rates for teens (those between the ages of 14 to 19) have risen by 50 percent since 2007 alone!
These increases are likely due to factors such as social media use; according to a recent study published by The American Journal Of Preventative Medicine (AJP), “overall Facebook use was associated with lower life satisfaction.”
And this isn’t just about Facebook: according to AJP’s findings, “the association between time spent using any social media platform” and lower life satisfaction remained even after controlling for other variables like gender or household income level.”
Understanding the reality of Generation Z is crucial to support their mental health and well-being. Explore the challenges and experiences faced by this generation in our article on The Reality of Generation Z, and discover ways to empathize and offer meaningful support.
Cyber-Bullying
With its anonymity and repetition, cyber-bullying can be worse than the usual in-person bullying. A cyber-bully can send repeated messages or post hurtful content about you over and over again, even when you’ve blocked them.
While physical attacks are bound by time and space (and decency laws), online abuse can continue even when you’re in class or at a friend’s house.
Bullies who harass their victims through digital means often make threats that they would never say face to face, such as posting naked pictures of someone without their consent or threatening to harm themselves if the victim doesn’t do what they want.
In some cases, these threats may be taken more seriously than those made by someone physically present especially because there’s no way for the victim to verify whether or not the bully is capable of following through on their threat.
Cyber-Bullying Is Often Worse Than Face-To-Face Bullying
Cyberbullying is harder to detect. You can’t see it, so there’s no way to know if your child or student is being bullied online unless they tell you.
The messages may be deleted before you can see them, and there are plenty of things kids can do to cover their tracks including deleting the messages themselves before anyone else sees them.
Cyber-bullying is harder to stop. If a kid gets a threat of violence in person, he or she can tell an adult immediately and have someone step in right away. But with cyber-bullying, it could take days or even weeks for the victim’s parent or teacher to discover what happened (if at all).
In that time frame, the situation could escalate into something dangerous for everyone involved including those who don’t participate in the bullying but just witness it happening online from afar (which we’ll talk about later).
Cyber-bullying can cause more damage than face-to-face bullying does because most teens feel safer behind their screens than they do around other people;
Therefore they’re more likely to say things they wouldn’t normally say otherwise and post pictures/videos with less thought as well because there is no physical reaction from either party involved.*
Identity Theft Has Never Been So Easy
Identity theft has become more common, and it’s easy to see why. The internet makes it easier to steal information because everything is online. Identity thieves can use your information to open credit cards, apply for loans, and even get jobs.
You can prevent identity theft by taking steps to protect your information: don’t put your social security number on documents that are not required;
Don’t give out personal details unless absolutely necessary (and then make sure those who receive them know how to keep the data safe);
Always shred documents with sensitive information before throwing them away; and report theft immediately if you discover that someone has used your name or personal details without permission.
If a theft does occur which often happens after a laptop or mobile device is lost or stolen it must be reported to the police so they can track down intruders and prevent future attacks from happening again in other places (such as schools or offices).
Generation Z is embracing the side hustle trend, carving their own path in the modern workforce. Discover the rise of this entrepreneurial spirit in our post on The Rise of the Side Hustle Generation, and see how these ventures impact their mental health and overall well-being.
The Stress Of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out)
You know what FOMO is, right? Fear Of Missing Out. A lot of people have heard of it, but many don’t understand how it works or how harmful it can be to Generation Z.
To put it simply, FOMO is a fear of being left out. It’s a fear that you’re missing out on something important and exciting going on around you at a party or social gathering, perhaps because you’re not there.
It’s about keeping up with the Joneses and having things that others don’t have; whether those things are material possessions or just being able to share your experiences with them so they can feel left out too!
FOMO has been described as one of the most powerful forces in human behavior by psychologist David Greenfield from the Center for Internet Addiction Recovery (CIA). He says: “It’s an epidemic sweeping through our society.”
Cell Phone Addiction Is A Very Real Thing
A study published in the journal Child Development found that 18- to 25-year-old participants who used their cell phones for more than four hours per day were more likely to report symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.
This is not the first time researchers have noticed these kinds of effects. The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA) released a report highlighting similar findings:
That Internet addiction can create negative consequences for users’ “physical health, social relationships, and academic performance.”
This isn’t just a problem with young people; adults are becoming more dependent on technology as well. A Pew Research Center study found that 76 percent of adults own tablets or smartphones, while 94 percent own a desktop or laptop computer.
Freelancing offers a unique way to combat the fear of missing out and achieve a more balanced lifestyle. Explore how freelancing helps in reducing the fear of missing out and find out how this career choice can positively impact your mental health and work-life balance.
In An Age Of False Information, It’s Hard To Tell What’s True And What’s Not
It’s 2019 and the internet is full of misinformation. We all know that, but what does it mean for the next generation?
As Zeynep Tufekci writes in The New York Times, fake news has become a part of our daily lives. She explains: “Fake news is not just about lies it is about creating an alternative version of reality…
It is about taking over existing social media accounts and making them look as if they belong to ordinary people when they don’t.
It’s also about playing with advertising algorithms that make ads appear on web pages to which they don’t belong or should not be seen (see this excellent piece by NPR). And then there are bots: automated accounts created by humans who instruct them what to post;
Some bots look like real people posting comments at lightning speed while others are just programmed machines designed to spread disinformation faster than any human could ever do on their own.”
A study by Pew Research Center found that 43% of Gen Zers were exposed to political posts from sources without any fact-checking whatsoever during the 2018 midterm elections compared with 26% for Millennials and 13% for Gen Xers (Gen Zers are ages 18-28).
Generation Z Will Probably Die Much Sooner Than Their Predecessors Because Of The Internet
The internet is a dangerous place. I think most of us are aware that it can be used to spread hate and misinformation, but it’s also a place where people can hide behind a screen and say things they wouldn’t say in person.
There’s a lot of pressure on young people to fit in, and being anonymous makes it easier for them to express their true feelings without fear of repercussion or judgment.
The consequences of this can be devastating: cyberbullying, and addiction issues related to addictive games like Fortnite and Pokémon Go (which led one high schooler in Virginia to kill herself).
ISIS recruitment tactics and more are just some examples of how the internet has taken an ugly turn for the worse.
Embracing the changing landscape of work through freelancing can be liberating and beneficial for your overall well-being. Discover how freelancing is completely changing business and see why this transformation is being celebrated as a positive force in modern professional life.
Conclusion
The most important thing is to remember that there’s nothing wrong with being an anxious person so if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by your anxiety, don’t feel bad about it.
Sometimes, it just happens to the best of us. What matters is what you do when you feel that way: recognize these feelings for what they are and take steps to address them head-on.
As I mentioned earlier, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to figure out what makes your anxiety spike up in the first place.
Once you know the source of your stressors, you can make a plan to actively avoid or deal with those specific issues so they don’t get out of control again in future situations.
Further Reading
Generation Z and Mental Health: Explore the impact of modern challenges on Generation Z’s mental well-being and the importance of early intervention and support.
Why Is Gen Z Depressed?: Uncover the factors contributing to the rise of depression among Generation Z and the significance of raising awareness and providing resources.
Addressing the Unprecedented Behavioral Health Challenges Facing Generation Z: Delve into the unique behavioral health challenges faced by Generation Z and the strategies to address and improve their mental well-being.
FAQs
What are the main mental health concerns among Generation Z?
Generation Z faces various mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and stress due to factors like academic pressure, social media, and uncertain economic prospects.
How can early intervention benefit the mental health of Generation Z?
Early intervention in mental health issues can lead to better outcomes, as it helps identify problems at an earlier stage and facilitates timely access to appropriate support and treatment.
What role does social media play in the mental health of Generation Z?
Social media’s influence on Generation Z’s mental health is significant, as it can contribute to feelings of isolation, comparison, and low self-esteem, leading to various mental health issues.
How can society raise awareness about mental health and support Generation Z?
Society can raise awareness about mental health through educational programs, open discussions, and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health, while providing accessible resources and support.
How can policymakers and healthcare systems address the behavioral health challenges of Generation Z?
Policymakers and healthcare systems need to invest in targeted mental health services, integrated care, and early intervention programs to address the behavioral health challenges faced by Generation Z effectively.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.