Gen Z are grappling with doomscrolling but some are pushing back

Gen Z is the first generation to challenge their phone dependency, according to an Australian researcher. One member of Gen Z, Oliver Breadmore, has struggled with using his phone for social media and has now found methods to overcome it. A UK study found that 29 percent of Gen Zs had deleted a social media app in the past year due to it consuming too much time and impacting their mental health.

Digital wellbeing researcher Dr. Jo Orlando noted that Gen Z is particularly aware of the need for balance in their lives since they have been online since their early teenage years. Mental health problems have been linked to excessive social media use, with a study by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute showing that Australian kids between 12 and 18 who spent two hours a day on social media had increased risk of high depressive symptoms and poor wellbeing.

Half of those who deleted a social media app in the past year said it was due to it consuming too much time and affecting their mental health. Dr. Orlando suggested that deleting social media apps from your phone, using them on a desktop PC, setting your device to greyscale, or turning your phone off can help reduce doomscrolling.

Putting your phone in a different room and embracing boredom were also effective strategies for Breadmore. Australia recently banned social media usage for teenagers under 16, but Dr. Orlando believes the conversation should extend to all age groups.