Digital fatigue: half of Zoomers regret the existence of TikTok, - study

A new survey has revealed that a significant portion of Gen Z wishes popular social media platforms had never been created, despite the fact that young people spend a lot of time on them daily.

The study, conducted by social psychologist Jonathan HaidtJonathan Haidt is also the author of the bestselling book "The Anxious Generation." The scholar is known for his recommendations on limiting smartphone use among children and teenagers. in collaboration with Harris Poll, surveyed 1,006 members of Generation Z aged 18 to 27. The results showed that 47% of young people wish TikTok did not exist. A similar sentiment is evident regarding other platforms: 50% of respondents expressed the same desire about X (formerly Twitter).

The survey indicated that 60% of Gen Z members spend nearly four hours a day on social media. Even more interesting is that 23% of respondents allocate seven or more hours to this activity. At the same time, 60% of those surveyed believe that social media has a negative impact on society.

The research indicated that the impact of social media varies depending on social groups. For example, 44% of women and 47% of LGBTQ+ individuals reported a negative impact of social media on their mental health. In comparison, the figure among men is 31%, and among those not belonging to the LGBTQ+ community, it stands at 35%.

Regarding specific platforms, after TikTok and X, the most "undesirable" were Snapchat (43%), Facebook (37%), and Instagram (34%). Interestingly, smartphones and messaging apps evoke less dissatisfaction: only 21% wish smartphones had never been invented, while the figure for messaging apps is 19%.

Despite the critical view of social media, only 36% of respondents support a complete ban on their use by children under 16. However, 69% advocate for the creation of safe versions of social media for users under 18.

Haidt urges lawmakers to take measures to protect young people from the negative effects of social media. He emphasizes the need to make these platforms safer for children or to prohibit their use altogether for minors.

Source: Fortune