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

Do you remember "party line"s, Debbie? When I was young in a rural backwater, there would be one phone number shared between a whole area and they had to share. They could also listen in to each others conversations.

I also remember standing by the post box, hoping for letters from friends. I had pen pals more than in-person pals. I wrote all the time, and read a lot of sci fi.

thanks for sharing! Most instructive.

I like that your phone keeps you curious and interested in finding out new things. Is it handy for classwork and assignments too? I would have liked that, growing up. I had this series of (out of date) heavy tomes called "encyclopedia Britannica". One needed a book-rest to use it. And there was the library. I think the smart phone, from what you say has taken over a great deal of the heavy lifting research librarians used to do for us.

It is also really nice have access to a global community too. Staying connected has gotten a lot easier!

Yes, I too would like to hear from you all. You grew up in a world so different from the one we remember from our own (relative) youth.

If anyone who responds does belong to 'Gen Z' and doesn't mind sharing that context would be good.

NAS92341 said:

Yes, I think those of us who have seen both sides of the technology are lucky - giving us a perspective on how different life can be

I think this is true in a great deal of daily life now, as much of it is run by what was once referred to as 'new' technology.

One of the downsides of life nowadays in my view is the pace.

When I was young, life could be much slower and because it wasn't so 'joined up' you could just be away from the world without any concern.

An online friend recently used the acronym FOMO (fear of missing out) which is clearly a 'thing' nowadays.

I feel I have a choice whether to engage or not (apart from my obsessiveness) but that article implies that that is much much harder for 'Generation Z'.

NAS92341 said:

It makes me wonder how it will affect younger generations and what they grow to be?

I have some step-grandchildren now, all under 10, and I feel concern about how the future will be for them.

Yes, I think those of us who have seen both sides of the technology are lucky - giving us a perspective on how different life can be. It makes me wonder how it will affect younger generations and what they grow to be?

The obsessive thing isn't a great mix is it? I think this phone has actually made things worse in that regard.

Really, the only useful thing my smart phone does is maps and live traffic. I found early phones that just made calls & texts were ok though.

L said:

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.

I feel the same as you on this.

There actually is a 'technology' thread somewhere too.

I'm generally positive about it but then I think as a 60+ year old, I've come from such an utterly different life where communication was quite basic (when I was really young) that I can more effectively be in control I think than some young people.

If I was wanting friends now, then I'd probably have to engage more in social media, which can be a nest of vipers.

I'm glad it's a positive thing for you.

In my opinion this is why the modern generation is so anxious. They are always terrified of saying the wrong thing. www.facebook.com/.../

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. 

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.