Gen Z in the US blames social media for poor mental health, study finds

A recent study shows growing concern among Generation Z about the impact of social networks in its Mental healthThe study, conducted by Talker Research and commissioned by LG Electronics, reveals that 62 percent of Gen Z wish they could “reset” their social media and start fresh. This desire for a digital makeover comes as three in four Gen Z respondents attribute their mental health issues to their experiences on social media.

The survey, which polled 2,000 Gen Z Americans between June 20-24, 2024, sheds light on the discontent many feel toward the content on their social media. Platforms like Instagram (20%), TikTok (20%), and Facebook (13%) were identified as the top contributors to negative feelings. More than half of respondents, 53%, expressed frustration that their social media feeds don’t align with their preferences. Additionally, 54% of respondents feel they have “some,” “little,” or “no control at all” over the content they see.

The results suggest that only 16 percent of Gen Zers believe they have complete control over their social media experience. This perceived lack of control contributes to nearly half of them (49 percent) experiencing negative emotions such as stress and anxiety. Content related to physical violence (50 percent), politics (40 percent) and sexually explicit material (32 percent) was particularly linked to these adverse feelings.

Despite the negative effects, the study indicates that social media remains a persistent part of daily life for many Gen Zers. Top reasons for continued use include boredom (66 percent), seeking laughter and smiles (59 percent), needing a distraction or break (55 percent), and wanting to stay informed about current events (49 percent). Other reasons include checking in on friends (44 percent), connecting with others (42 percent), seeking free time (33 percent), and seeking specific information (32 percent).

Louis Giagrande, U.S. marketing director at LG Electronics, highlighted the importance of mindful engagement on social media. “We spend a significant portion of our lives online, and these experiences can sometimes leave us feeling drained and less mentally stimulated,” he said. Giagrande encouraged users to be more mindful of the content they interact with, advocating for a more balanced and positive social media experience. He suggested that users could improve their feeds by actively engaging with content that brings them joy, such as liking and commenting on positive posts, which could help create a more encouraging online environment.

On the bright side, however, 38% of Gen Zers believe that social media platforms could improve their impact on mental health over the next five years. The study also found that 80% of respondents associate social media with positive mood improvements, particularly through comedy (65%), animal content (48%), beauty (40%) and prank videos (34%). Interestingly, 65% of Gen Zers claimed that social media has helped turn a bad day into a good one, and 70% are more likely to engage with social media when they are in a good mood compared to when they are in a bad mood. Additionally, 44% of respondents believe that social media positively influences their outlook on life.