By India McCarty
Most people would say Gen Z spends too much time online — including Gen Z. A new study has found that the majority of young people worry about tech addiction.
“Most Gen Z (85%) admit their generation spends too much time online,” the study, conducted by Gloo and the Barna Group, stated. “And over half (54%) strongly agree that in-person relationships are more valuable than digital ones.”
Twenty-eight percent of those surveyed reported “always feeling lonely,” while 26% said they “consistently feel isolated” from others.
Dr. Felicia Wu Song, a sociologist at Westmont College and author of Restless Devices: Recovering Personhood, Presence and Place in the Digital Age, spoke to Relevant Magazine about why increased time with technology has these mental health effects.
“When our default posture is to be constantly connected, constantly available, we begin to lose our ability to be present,” she explained. “And spiritual life depends on presence.”
Social psychologist and author of The Anxious Generation Jonathan Haidt weighed in as well, telling Politico, “In the early 2010s, when kids were moving their social lives online, we thought. ‘Well, OK, they’re not spending time with each other in person, but isn’t this just as good? They’re posting, they’re liking each other’s posts, they’re commenting on each other’s posts, the boys are playing video games. Isn’t this just as good?’ And at the time, we had no reason to think it wasn’t.”
Related: Is Gen Z Addicted to Screens? They Seem to Think So
“But now we know the answer is no, it is not just as good,” he continued. “We know this because when they transfer their social life, as the girls transferred it onto social media and the boys transferred it onto video games, that’s exactly when the epidemic of loneliness accelerated. Girls are suffering more depression and anxiety; boys are suffering more loneliness and friendlessness.”
While Gen Z might be feeling lonelier and more disconnected than ever, young people are still working to combat these mental health effects.
Gloo and Barna’s study found that 65% of those surveyed prioritized being happy, while 49% said it was “essential” to maintain good mental and emotional health. Part of maintaining that mental and emotional health? Pursuing faith.
“Mental wellness is an integral part of flourishing,” Brad Hill, chief solutions officer at Gloo, stated. “Gen Z is looking beyond simple answers and toward people who see them, understand their struggles and walk with them. As church leaders, mentors and parents, we have the opportunity to be that presence.”
David Kinnaman, CEO of Barna Group, added, “Young people are navigating increasing mental health challenges and our research shows that a caring, faith-filled community can be a powerful source of stability and strength.”
Barna and Gloo’s survey might have found that young people are feeling more disconnected than ever, but it’s clear that Gen Zers recognize this problem and are looking for ways to fight back against their addiction to smartphones.
Read Next: What You Should Know About Gen Z’s Interest in Faith
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