The Sensation Generation
My Baby Boomer grandparents with their Millenial and Generation Z grandchildren.
The current generation of teenagers could be facing a mental health crisis to such extent unseen in decades. Let's delve into the distinctions between this and previous generations: most teenagers today spend more time on social media while other generations spent time with their friends, previous generations were more likely to get a part-time job to form their own financial freedom from their parents, and previous generations craved independence.
While every generation worries about being left out, social media is a hotspot for "FOMO," the fear of missing out. Today's teens often showcase their social outings, leaving those who weren't invited with "FOMO." Almost half as many teenage girls reported having "FOMO" in 2015 than a few years prior in Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation. Similarly, about a quarter more boys claim feeling left out. The same article studied the relationship between time spent scrolling on social media and feelings of happiness: the results show teenagers who spend over ten hours on social media were 56% more likely to report feeling unhappy. Those who spent six to nine hours online were 47% more likely to feel unhappy. Comparatively, teenagers who spent more time focused on off-screen activities or with friends were 20% more likely to report feeling happy.
Generation Z teens "hang out" with each other virtually compared to previous generations who gathered with each other at the local (or sometimes not so local) haunt. Previous generations didn't grow up with the advanced cellular technologies current teens have thus spent more time socializing interpersonally. To finance these endeavors, most previous generations needed to seek out part-time jobs. Fewer current teens are pressured to find work to support their financial freedom, but more pressured to continue onto higher education. While the Great Recession reduced the number of available jobs, Generation Z teens did not seek employment after job availability increased. Previous generations were also more likely to date than today's teens, which also reduced rates of sexual activity and teen birth. Unlike previous generations, today's teens are less likely to rush for their licenses, often prodded by their parents to follow these pursuits. Millennials sought after the temptation of independence, making them the most individualistic of generations. Despite having more free time than other generations, today's teens spend the majority of their free time on their phones, something that could be devastating to their mental and social well-being.