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Gen Z’s 10 Biggest Sources of Anxiety, In Their Own Words

YPulse asked Gen Z what causes the most anxiety for their generation, and their top answers show the real challenges they face today…

Written and Edited by the YPulse Editorial Team

Jun 10 2025
North America

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Gen Z says social media / the internet is the biggest source of anxiety for their generation
School is the biggest source of anxiety for teens, with pressure around grades, higher education, and fitting in
Money / finances are the biggest source of anxiety for young adults, as many worry about affording basic needs

Gen Z is an anxious generation, and in many ways, rightfully so. According to YPulse’s Mental Health report, 76% of 13-24-year-olds say they feel anxious about the future—a number that’s remained high, and actually increased from 71% in 2022. This growing anxiety isn’t surprising given unprecedented challenges from navigating the fallout of a global pandemic to dealing with tense political polarization and climate change. And these issues have only been amplified by viral content and a 24/7 news cycle, fueling a persistent sense of doom and anxiety within this gen that feels impossible to escape. There are, unfortunately, many...