Constant scrolling connects Gen Z to the world but can fuel anxiety and loneliness. Here’s how mindful tech habits restore balance.
Gen Z grew up online. Their friendships, school projects, and self-esteem often live on the same screens. Social media offered connection during a lonely time in history, but the endless highlight reel has a cost. Comparing your life to someone else’s edited feed is a sure way to feel behind.
Research links heavy screen use to sleep disruption and anxiety, yet the goal is not to demonize technology but to use it intentionally. “Digital wellness” means being as conscious with your scroll as you are with your diet. Small changes work: silence notifications at night, track screen time, curate feeds that inspire rather than drain. Some people schedule weekly “offline hours” the same way others book a workout.
Therapists can help clients build digital boundaries without shame. Apps that monitor sleep or gratitude journaling can reinforce positive habits. What matters is control: choosing when and why to log on instead of reacting to every ping.
Connection through screens is not the enemy of mental health; unconscious use is. When attention becomes intentional, technology returns to its original purpose — helping people stay in touch with each other and with themselves. og
