Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Mental health experts across the world are raising concerns about a growing trend: Gen Z is reporting higher levels of anxiety than any previous generation.
Born roughly between the late 1990s and early 2010s, Gen Z has grown up in a world that looks very different from the one their parents experienced.
Unlike earlier generations, they have spent most of their lives surrounded by smartphones, social media, and a constant stream of information. While technology has brought many opportunities, it has also created new pressures and challenges that are affecting their mental health.
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At the same time, Gen Z has come of age during a period marked by global disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate anxiety, economic instability, and rising living costs.
These factors, combined, have created a unique environment in which stress and uncertainty are part of everyday life.
Experts say anxiety among young people today is not caused by one single factor.
Instead, it is the result of several overlapping pressures that shape how this generation perceives the world and its future.
THE SOCIAL MEDIA EFFECT
One of the biggest differences between Gen Z and older generations is their relationship with technology. This is the first generation that has grown up surrounded by smartphones and social media platforms.
For many young people, social media are not merely tools for communication but also spaces in which identities are shaped and validated.
However, this constant online presence also brings a constant cycle of comparison.
According to Chetna Luthra, Clinical Psychologist at Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram, the digital environment has significantly changed how young people perceive themselves and their lives.
She explains that Gen Z is exposed to algorithm-driven content that constantly highlights curated versions of success, beauty and lifestyle. “Our brains are wired to be part of a community, but not to be constantly compared or evaluated 24/7,” she says.
Endless scrolling through carefully curated images and lifestyles often leads to unrealistic expectations regarding appearance, relationships, and success.
As a result, many young people experience a persistent fear of missing out (FOMO).
Several studies have also found a link between heavy social media use and higher risks of mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression among young people.
LIVING WITH CONSTANT UNCERTAINTY
Beyond the digital world, many members of Gen Z are also facing serious economic concerns about their future.
The rising cost of living, job insecurity, layoffs and increasing student debt have created a sense of instability for many young adults.
Unlike previous generations that often expected long-term job security, Gen Z is entering a workforce that is constantly changing.
This uncertainty often leads to what psychologists call “anticipatory anxiety”, a state in which individuals constantly worry about future problems that may or may not happen.
The pressure to succeed professionally while also maintaining a lifestyle portrayed on social media can intensify these concerns. For many young people, it creates a cycle of worry that is difficult to escape.
GROWING UP DURING GLOBAL CRISES
Another major reason for rising anxiety among Gen Z is the timing of their formative years.
Many of them experienced critical life stages during the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted education, social life and daily routines.
Isolation during lockdowns also meant that much of their communication shifted online.
At the same time, young people today are more connected to global events than ever before.
Through social media and digital news platforms, they are constantly exposed to information about wars, climate change, political instability and natural disasters.
While access to information can increase awareness, it can also lead to emotional exhaustion.
Psychiatrist Dr Harini Atturu from CARE Hospitals, Hitech City, Hyderabad, says the pressures faced by young people today exist at multiple levels — individual, family, community and societal.
She notes that today’s young face intense academic competition, high expectations and a rapidly changing professional environment.
Social media, she adds, has also created cognitive distraction and a tendency to seek instant gratification, which can leave young people overwhelmed by their own thoughts and expectations.
According to experts, this constant exposure to global crises can lead to “cognitive overload” when the brain receives more stressful information than it can process effectively.
Over time, this can reduce a person’s ability to cope with everyday stress and contribute to anxiety.
THE DECLINE OF REAL-LIFE SOCIAL CONNECTION
Technology has also transformed how young people communicate.
Earlier generations often spent more time interacting face-to-face with friends, neighbours and community members. For many Gen Z individuals, however, communication now occurs largely via text messages, social media, and video calls.
While digital communication offers convenience, it sometimes lacks the emotional depth of in-person interactions.
Experts say reduced face-to-face interaction may contribute to social anxiety, especially among young people who feel uncomfortable with phone calls or in-person conversations.
At the same time, time spent outdoors has decreased significantly. Activities such as meeting friends, playing outdoors, or participating in community events are often replaced by scrolling on phones or indoor streaming.
Over time, this shift can affect self-confidence, social skills and emotional well-being.
NOT JUST ANXIETY, BUT AWARENESS
Despite these challenges, experts also say that one important difference between Gen Z and previous generations is their openness about mental health.
Young people today are more willing to talk about their emotions and seek help when needed. While this openness sometimes makes it appear as though anxiety has increased dramatically, it also reflects a growing awareness about mental well-being.
Mental health professionals say that addressing this issue requires support at multiple levels, including families, schools, workplaces, and public health systems.
Teaching life skills such as emotional regulation, stress management, decision-making and problem-solving can help young people build resilience in a rapidly changing world.
At the same time, reducing the stigma around therapy and mental health support remains essential.
CREATING A HEALTHIER FUTURE FOR GEN Z
The environment in which Gen Z is growing up is unlike any previous generation. Digital immersion, global crises, financial uncertainty and constant comparison culture have created a unique set of pressures.
However, experts believe that with the right support systems, young people can also develop strong coping skills and resilience.
Encouraging healthier digital habits, strengthening real-world social connections, and creating supportive family and educational environments can all play important roles in improving mental well-being.
While the challenges are real, mental health experts stress that labelling an entire generation as anxious may overlook their strengths. Many young people today are creative, socially aware and determined to shape their own identity in a complex world.
With the right guidance and resources, Gen Z has the potential not only to manage anxiety but also to redefine how future generations approach mental health.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
