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Does Gen Z Really Think Social Media is Bad for Them?

Even though Gen Z knows social media has its downsides, they don’t wish it never existed…

Written and Edited by the YPulse Editorial Team

Nov 14 2024
North America

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Young adults know that social media can have negative impacts, and do think it can be damaging at young ages
However, the majority don’t think that social media was damaging to them personally and can see the positives it brings as well
Young parents especially want laws that limit social media use, given the known downsides

YPulse’s most recent Social Media Monitor data shows all Gen Z uses social media on some platform or another, with their use peaking on algorithmic video platforms YouTube and TikTok. But a recent headline—notably, an opinion—touted the gen “has regrets” about social media, posing the question of whether Gen Z regrets their social media use the way smokers regret picking up their first cigarette. And though the headline would insinuate that they do, the data actually isn’t as cut-and-dry. And YPulse’s own data has long shown Gen Z knows social media has risks and downsides, but most think it’s more...