‘Gen Z spends an average of 3 hours daily on social media.’ (World Metrics Report 2024)
Today, we hear different opinions about Gen Z. Who is Gen Z? Gen Z was born between 1997 and 2012 and is now in the 12-27 age category. Gen Z has strong opinions about society. They also embrace change, focus on flexibility and value ethics. One of the most critical factors about Gen Z is that they are digital natives.
Gen Z has grown up with technology. Social media’s revolution in communication is among its most noticeable effects. Thanks to websites like LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter, Generation Z has more ways to connect with people, meet others across the globe, and stay connected to friends and family. However, this unnatural connectedness has changed communication styles; many Gen Z individuals now prefer online connections to face-to-face discussions.
When considering Gen Z’s social media usage, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat are the most popular platforms. As previously mentioned, Gen Z spends an average of 3 hours daily on social media. Most importantly, they are not just social media consumers; they are content creators. They actively participate in sharing their thoughts, opinions, and entertainment content on social media.
Social media is a critical part of Gen Z’s lives. If we consider the influence of this on their mental health, it has many positive and negative impacts. It keeps social bonds intact and up-to-date with family and friends. Further, it boosts Gen Z’s self-esteem and creativity. Sometimes, the usage of social media leads to different mental problems like anxiety. Moreover, cyberbullying can cause mental health deterioration, and addiction to social media can become a problem.
Social media serve as tools for identity interaction, allowing young people to connect, engage, and reshape their sense of belonging and identity. They also help to improve their personality. However, when people share intimate details of their lives online, there are privacy concerns. Users must strike a balance between transparency and protecting their data.
Furthermore, Gen Z actively discusses social problems and political issues through social media. For example, they discuss protecting the environment, equality, economic issues, and political behaviour. It is excellent that young people become aware of social matters and fight for justice.
Interactive tools like polls, voting bars, and quizzes are popular because of Gen Z’s high engagement.
Correspondingly, Gen Z is also facing many problems and challenges. They have to confront privacy issues, misinformation, and cyberbullying. In that case, Gen Z must become more intelligent and responsible by using social media. Moreover, they can harness good knowledge and opportunities for personal growth and career opportunities on social media.
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