A survey of 1,006 Gen Z adults (ages 18-27) reveals that while over 60% of respondents spend four or more hours a day on social media, many have significant regrets about its impact. About 37% say social media negatively affects their emotional health, with women and LGBTQ respondents reporting greater harm. Platforms like TikTok and X/Twitter are the most regretted, with nearly half of users wishing they had never been invented. Despite this, 52% believe social media benefits their lives. Many Gen Z respondents express concerns about children's access to smartphones, with 45% opposing smartphones before high school and 69% supporting laws to make social media safer for minors.
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Discussion (2)
It's like empty calories, addictive but totally unsatisfying. No one ever thinks to themselves "I feel great after eating a bag of potato chips". These platforms can sometimes feel like that when you reflect on your time spent.
I waste so much time on social media, I cant help it.
TikTok is the worst for me, I literally lose track of time scrolling. I keep telling myself im going to cut back, but it never happens. But the thing is, I also get a lot of laughs and info from it, so it’s a love-hate relationship.