Generation Z affected most by social media applications: Study

Muscat: 'Generation Z' (Gen-Z) is the most affected by social media applications, according to a study by the McKinsey Institute of Health, which included over 40,000 people.

A new study has found that social networks are harmful to the mental health of Gen-Z children in particular around the world, as people of this generation spend more hours on social networks than others, making them more vulnerable to harm.

The study, conducted by the McKinsey Institute of Health, said that people of 'Generation Z' tend to talk about their negative feelings about social networks more than other generations, on average.

By 'Generation Z' we mean those born between 1996 and 2012. The study found that one in four people in 'Generation Z' associate spending a lot of time on these platforms with poor mental health.

The study surveyed 42,000 participants from 26 countries about the four dimensions of health: mental, physical, social and spiritual, where 'Generation Z' was the worst in all categories.

They were followed by the 'Millennial Generation', followed by the 'X generation' and 'Baby Boomers' (the generation that was born during the two decades after World War II), according to the study.

One in seven 'Baby Boomers' reported declining mental health over the past three years, compared to one in four 'Gen Z' participants.