For a generation that practically grew up with phones in their hands, it might sound strange to suggest that Gen Z is getting tired of tech. But that’s exactly what’s happening.
From endless screen time to constant digital pressure, more and more young people are quietly burning out. Not in the dramatic way we usually think of burnout — no frantic breakdowns or career meltdowns — but something subtler: mental fog, emotional exhaustion, and a nagging sense that they’re never really “off.”
Always On, Rarely Present
Gen Z has never really known life without social media, instant messaging, and always-on devices. Many of them started using smartphones before they hit double digits. For them, checking a notification isn’t a distraction — it’s a reflex.But over time, even reflexes can wear a person down.
When every part of life — school, work, friends, entertainment — happens through the same glowing screen, it becomes hard to draw the line between being connected and being consumed. For a lot of Gen Z, that line disappeared a long time ago.
They scroll in bed. They respond to messages during class or work. They take a break from one app… by opening another. And yet, after all that time online, they don’t feel fulfilled. They feel drained.
Not Just Screen Fatigue
This isn’t about how many hours they spend on devices. It’s about what those hours demand from them.
There’s the pressure to always reply, always know what’s trending, always have something clever or interesting to post. Even relaxing online can feel like work — keeping up with influencers, staying relevant in group chats, following the news, dodging negativity.
One 19-year-old put it like this:
“It’s like my brain is full, but nothing’s actually in there.”
That quiet burnout is showing up in more ways than we realize. Students zoning out during Zoom classes. Young workers who can’t focus after a day packed with Slack messages. Teens who feel guilty for taking a break from group chats.
It’s a kind of mental weight — always there, even when nothing specific is wrong.
The Comparison Trap
Social media isn’t just social anymore. It’s performative.
Even the most casual post is judged — if not by others, then by the person posting it. “Is this funny enough?” “Do I look good here?” “Why didn’t anyone like it?”
For Gen Z, those questions never really go away. The platforms where they’re supposed to connect have become platforms where they’re constantly evaluated. And that kind of performance — even if it’s subtle — gets exhausting fast.
The pressure is especially heavy because it’s 24/7. They don’t leave it at school or the office. It follows them home, to the dinner table, into bed.
And the worst part? Many of them don’t feel like they’re allowed to complain — because this is just “normal.”
When Everything Happens Online
One of the most unique challenges for Gen Z is that their offline and online lives are almost fully merged. School assignments come through email. Friendships are built through apps. Even downtime — movies, games, music — lives on screens.
So how do you “log off” when logging off means cutting yourself off from everything?
It’s not as easy as deleting TikTok or switching to grayscale. The burnout isn’t just about tech — it’s about how dependent life has become on it.
And because Gen Z never had a “before,” they don’t always realize that constant connection doesn’t have to be the default.
Signs They’re Burning Out
You won’t always see it from the outside. But Gen Z is giving us clues:
• They’re tired, even when they’ve done nothing physically exhausting.
• They delay answering messages because it feels like emotional effort.
• They post less, even though they’re online more.
• They talk about feeling overwhelmed — without knowing why.
There’s a growing feeling among teens and young adults that being online just isn’t fun anymore. It’s starting to feel like an obligation — one that comes with rules, expectations, and consequences.
So What Can Actually Help?
Nobody’s asking Gen Z to give up their phones and move into the woods. But they do need tools — and permission — to take breaks without guilt.
Some ideas are simple but powerful:
• Protected “offline” time that’s respected by friends, families, and workplaces
• Spaces for expression that don’t rely on metrics or filters
• More honesty about the toll tech can take — not just lectures about screen time, but real conversations
• Encouragement to rediscover offline joy, not as a punishment, but as a genuine alternative
That last one matters more than it sounds. Because sometimes, burnout doesn’t need a big fix — it just needs a walk outside, a good book, a silly conversation, or a moment that isn’t documented.
Gen Z Doesn’t Hate Tech — They’re Just Drowning in It
Here’s the irony: Gen Z might be the best-equipped generation to handle the digital world — but they’re also the ones most likely to suffer from it.
They know how to create, build, and connect online better than anyone. But even the most skilled swimmers can drown in a storm.
If we want them to thrive, we can’t just teach them how to use technology.
We have to teach them how to step away from it — and remind them that they’re allowed to.
