In the fast-paced technology-driven world of the 21st century, today’s young generation, Generation Z or Gen G for short, is the child of the digital age. This generation grew up with the internet, smartphones and social media. Technology touches every part of their lives. They see the world through screens, learn online, express their feelings in posts, and even build relationships on virtual platforms. But behind this connection lies a deep duality. Social media has given them the freedom to communicate, but has also taken away the warmth of real relationships.
Once upon a time, friendship meant sitting face to face and talking, spending time together, or sharing small moments. Today, that definition of friendship has changed. Now, the criteria for friendship are determined by the number of “followers” or “likes”. Praise received on virtual platforms often becomes a substitute for real relationships. Although the Gen Z generation has the opportunity to express themselves in this digital friendship, it has come with a terrible mental pressure of always trying to look perfect, the race to be popular, and the habit of comparing their lives with the lives of others.
This generation uses social media as a platform for self-expression. They showcase their thoughts, fashion, creativity, or personal experiences there. It increases confidence, makes people familiar, but gradually it turns into a kind of social competition. When ‘likes’ or comments are not expected, they doubt their own worth. This gives rise to a crisis of confidence, depression, and mental anxiety. Many compare their real lives with the colorful pictures of others and consider their lives a failure. This invisible pressure creates a feeling of depression and loneliness in them.
On the other hand, friendships built on social media are often limited to the surface. There, relationships end with a smile, an emoji, or a little “comment.” There is no room for deep emotion or empathy. A young person may have thousands of followers, but there is no one to sit next to and talk to when they are upset. Studies have shown that those who spend excessive time on social media are relatively more prone to loneliness and depression. Despite the abundance of connections, they actually sink deeper into isolation.
Social media is having a profound impact on Gen X’s mental health. Their attention is distracted by the constant flood of information, images and videos every day. Moreover, the constant expectation of new notifications, likes or comments creates a kind of “dopamine addiction” where the brain gets used to temporary pleasure. But when that stimulation decreases, mental fatigue and emptiness set in. Anxiety, loss of self-esteem and insomnia have now become common among young people.
Yet the positive aspects of social media cannot be denied. This platform has given Gen G freedom of expression, the opportunity to participate in social movements, and a new kind of awareness. Gen G is organizing online, voicing opinions, and raising awareness around the world on issues such as climate change, women’s rights, human rights, or political justice. However, this awareness often creates a false reality called “clicktivism”—where responsibilities are completed with just likes and shares instead of real action. This reduces the depth of thought, and active citizenship is limited to virtual voices.
This effect is also evident in family relationships. Once upon a time, the entire family would sit together, talk, or watch TV. Now, everyone is immersed in their own screens. Parents are unaware of their children’s lives, and children find messenger chats more comfortable than real conversations. As a result, the gap between generations is growing, family communication is weakening, and the feeling of loneliness is deepening.
However, it is not impossible to change this reality. The solution may not be to completely eliminate social media, but to consciously control its use. Young people should learn to properly allocate their time, not to use social media for more than a certain period of time, spend time with friends offline, read books, play sports or do hobbies. Parents also have the responsibility to create open relationships with their children, show interest in their virtual life. It is necessary to introduce digital wellbeing or media literacy education in educational institutions, so that young people can utilize the positive aspects of online and protect themselves from the negative aspects.
Ultimately, social media has become an integral part of our lives, but let it not rob us of our humanity. No matter how deep the connection in the world of virtual friendships, there is no substitute for the warmth of real relationships. The biggest challenge facing Gen Z today is to balance human relationships with their digital lives. If they can restore this balance, social media will be their power of self-expression, not a chain of loneliness. Because in the end, people don’t just want to be connected, they want real relationships, where feelings are exchanged from the depths of the heart, not the pixels of a screen.
