COVID-19’s Impact on Mental Health and Social Media Use of Generation Z

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the mental health issues that social media imposes on Generation Z. Generation Z is classified as those born between 1997 and 2012, and this generation is composed of today’s teenagers and young adults. Compared to Millennials, born between 1981 and 1996, Generation Z’s political, economic, and social views show the difference in generations. However, social media usage significantly differs between Generation Z and Millennials. Generation Z uses social media 18% more than Millennials. While this may not sound like a large number, those in Generation Z are primarily teenagers and are at an impressionable age. Many of them rely on social media to develop their identities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Generation Z relied on social media to connect and interact with their peers. As social media usage increased, mental health in Generation Z began to deteriorate, and anxiety and depression became more frequent. The Swiss Cheese Model explains how minor individual issues correlated with social media usage have created a perfect climate for a mental health crisis.