Generation Anxiety: smartphones have created a gen Z mental health crisis – but there are ways to fix it

Do you have a smartphone and if not, why not?

Does the absence isolate you?

Also, what is your relationship with your phone?

I keep mine at as good a distance emotionally and intellectually as I can manage, but having a rather obsessive personality, I find myself checking it more often than I would like.

However, I do turn off all notifications for peace of mind.

Do you have a smartphone and if not, why not?

Does the absence isolate you?

Also, what is your relationship with your phone?

I keep mine at as good a distance emotionally and intellectually as I can manage, but having a rather obsessive personality, I find myself checking it more often than I would like.

However, I do turn off all notifications for peace of mind.

I don't have a smart phone, I don't know how to use one, this is the only social media I use. The only time the absense of a smart effects me is when others often organisations want me to have one, like car parks, banks etc. I have a stupid phone that I use to call or text people when I want or need to. I rarely take it out with me as I hate people knowing where I am all the time and wanting me to be constantly available and all the resultant questions, like what time am I coming home, things I can do whilst I'm out, I go out to get away from others.

Do you have a smartphone

Yes

Does the absence isolate you?

I don't think so. I usually leave it at home during the week.

what is your relationship with your phone?

A convenient way to access the internet. A camera. A means to stay in touch if I need to. 

I turn off notifications too, can't be doing with constant interruptions!

Being a millenial I don't know if this makes a difference but the friends I have are either online or moved out of walking distance for work or other commitments so having a phone particularly chat apps has been something which keeps me social when I can't see people physically irl.

I did notice a decline in mental health on social media sites though especially if I ever caught myself doom scrolling so my solution that is to just not bother with socisl media anymore. Sites like Twitter (or X as they call it now) and Facebook, IG/Threads, Tiktok etc, have always been more antisocial than social they way they are set up anyway. Haven't missed those sites at all.

I don't know if beeing that bit older is a saving factor, I suspect the fact that gen Z had all this practically from birth and thinks it's normal is one of the reasons it's so pervasive.

I have a phone. I got one a few years ago for my 13th birthday. My Mum says I use it too much, I think she thinks I'm up to mischief which isn't true. 

On my phone I spend most of my time looking up things I'm interested in, as I really like learning about things like that. I like to use YT and watch music videos or interviews of my fav celebs. I browse eBay and look at all the things I want to buy, some of them are realistic and others are my biggest dream buys like diamond necklaces which I'll probably never afford in my wildest dreams!

I like looking up pics of my fav celebs like Taylor Swift, admiring her appearance and wishing I could look like her or sing like her.

Sometimes I play games on my phone but not often.

I like that I can access online communities like this one, that gives me the interaction I need in my life without actually having to go out and interact. Without technology I would be totally isolated and alone.

My relationship with it is good, healthy IMO. I don't think it affects my mental health. 

I likely spend too much time on it. My phone records my daily screen time and generally I'll spend between 14-16 hours on my phone each day. But I've got insomnia as well and this is generally what I use when I can't sleep.

I could live without it. I would use my laptop like I used to when I was growing up but I like how easy and simple smartphones are. They're accessible and I like that.

I always keep my phone on silent so it doesn't ring and I don't get bombarded with notifications. Then again I rarely get notifications anyway.

I try to never talk on my phone if I can help it.