Digital World, Real Impact: Protecting Gen Z’s Mental Health in the Innovation Era

International Youth Day 2024 is soon approaching and the focus is on the pivotal role our young people play in digital innovation. In 2024, “From Clicks to Progress:Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,” is the official theme and it is meant to highlight the connection between digitization and the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (UN, 2024). Even though the digital world has brought us incredible opportunities, it comes with its own unique set of challenges regarding the safety of youth and their mental health.

The Digital Landscape and Youth Mental Health

Today’s youth, defined by the United Nations as individuals aged 15 to 24 years, are part of Generation Z (Gen Z)(UN, 2020); true digital natives, who have seamlessly integrated technology into every aspect of their lives. Adopting everything from social media to online learning platforms and all technologies in between.

However, this deep digital immersion carries significant risks. Constant exposure to online content, the pressure to maintain a digital presence, and the threat of cyberbullying can take a toll on their mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, and other issues. For instance, a 2015 study found that nearly 30% of adolescents reported experiencing anxiety or depression related to their online activities (Rice et al., 2015).

The theme for this year’s International Youth Day emphasises the potential of digital tools to drive progress, but it’s equally important to recognize the mental health risks associated with digital engagement. Whether you are a parent, educator, provider or mentor, your role in guiding young people through this digital world is crucial—not just for their well-being, but for ensuring they can contribute positively to global challenges.

Identifying the Risks

The digital world presents several challenges that can impact youth mental health. These include:

• Cyberbullying & Harassment: Unlike traditional bullying, cyberbullying follows youth into their homes via devices. The anonymity online emboldens bullies, leading to severe emotional distress, increasing the risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. A 2022 report revealed that 59% of U.S. teens have experienced some form of cyberbullying (Vogels, 2022).
• Social Comparison & Self-Esteem: Social media drives a culture of comparison, bombarding youth with idealised images. This can lead to unrealistic beauty and success standards, damaging self-esteem and causing feelings of inadequacy. Research indicates that 45% of teens feel pressure to post content that makes them look good to others, often leading to diminished self-worth (Rideout & Robb, 2018).
• Addiction & Overuse: Digital platforms are addictive due to their design, which leverages psychological principles such as the release of dopamine—a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This design encourages repeated use, leading to excessive screen time, disrupting sleep, reducing social interaction, and increasing isolation and loneliness. The addictive nature of these platforms is further reinforced by features intentionally designed to capture users’ attention, creating a cycle of dependency that is difficult to break (Mujica et al., 2022). Unfortunately, the average U.S. teen spends over 7 hours per day on screen-based activities, with significant correlations to poor mental health outcomes (Twenge et al., 2018).
• Misinformation & Unrealistic Expectations: The internet is vast, but not all information is accurate. Youth are especially vulnerable to misinformation, which can lead to unrealistic life expectations, increased stress, and significant mental health challenges. Studies show that exposure to misinformation online can significantly increase anxiety levels among youth, with nearly 40% of adolescents reporting that they’ve encountered misleading information (Cataldo et al., 2021). The challenge lies in Brandolini’s law, which states that refuting misinformation requires much more effort than spreading it, especially with “fake news” that can cause lasting harm before being corrected (Williamson, 2016).

Promoting Mental Health Safety

Helping young people navigate the digital landscape is essential. Consider these strategies:

Digital Literacy & Education: Equip youth with skills to avoid cyberbullying, manage social comparison, and critically evaluate online content. For instance, digital literacy programs can reduce exposure to harmful content by 20% (Van Dijk, 2021).

Healthy Online Habits: Encourage screen time limits, offline activities, and regular breaks. Modeling balanced behavior and fostering a supportive environment can reduce anxiety and depression risks by up to 30% (Vogels, 2022).

Positive Online Spaces: Promote safe, inclusive online communities focused on mental health as it has been proven that supportive environments lead to 25% fewer symptoms of depression in teens (Twenge et al., 2018).

Mental Health Support: Ensure access to resources in schools, communities, and online because effective support can decrease symptom severity in 60% of affected youth (Rice et al., 2015).

Parental Involvement & Communication: Foster open dialogue about digital risks and benefits as engaged parenting has been shown to reduce negative online experiences by 15% (Rideout & Robb, 2018).

As we celebrate International Youth Day 2024, your role in guiding youth through the digital world is crucial. Promoting digital literacy, healthy habits, and mental health support will help them harness technology’s benefits while safeguarding their well-being.

References

Cataldo, I., Lepri, B., Neoh, M. J. Y., & Esposito, G. (2021). Social media usage and the development of psychiatric disorders in childhood and adolescence: A review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 508595. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.508595

Mujica, A. L., Crowell, C. R., Villano, M. A., & Uddin, K. M. (2022). Addiction by design: Some dimensions and challenges of excessive social media use. Medical Research Archives, 10(2), 1-29. https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v10i2.2677

Rice, E., Petering, R., Rhoades, H., Winetrobe, H., Goldbach, J., Plant, A., Montoya, J., & Kordic, T. (2015). Cyberbullying perpetration and victimisation among middle-school students. American Journal of Public Health, 105(3), e66–e72. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2014.302393

Rideout, V., & Robb, M. B. (2018). Social media, social life: Teens reveal their experiences. Common Sense Media. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/research/report/2018-social-media-social-life-executive-summary-web.pdf

Twenge, J. M., Haidt, J., Joiner, T. E., & Campbell, W. K. (2020). Underestimating digital media harm. Nature Human Behaviour, 4(4), 346–348. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-020-0839-4

United Nations. (2020). World youth report: Youth social entrepreneurship and the 2030 agenda. United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. https://www.un.org/development/desa/youth/world-youth-report-youth-social-entrepreneurship-and-the-2030-agenda-for-sustainable-development.html

United Nations. (2024). International Youth Day. United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/observances/youth-day

Van Dijk, J. (2021). Closing the digital divide—The role of digital technologies on social development, well‐being of all, and the approach of the COVID‐19 pandemic. United Nations. https://www.un.org/development/desa/dspd/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2020/07/Closing-the-Digital-Divide-by-Jan-A.G.M-van-Dijk-.pdf

Vogels, E. (2022). Teens and Cyberbullying 2022. Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2022/12/15/teens-and-cyberbullying-2022/