Almost half of Generation Z admit to living a double life online, research revealed today.
Experts who questioned 2,000 Americans found that 46 percent of 16- to 24-year-olds felt there was a significant difference between their online self and their real-world self.
One in five people across all generations also admitted to having a secret online personality that no one else knew about.
The experts behind the study today urged people to engage in more conversations among friends and family “to understand each other’s worlds” but cautioned that the survey was purely observational.
Gerald Youngblood, North American marketing director at technology company Lenovo, which carried out the research, said: “Around one in five of the world’s young people has a mental illness, reflecting a global crisis.”
A new US survey of 2,000 adults revealed that 46 percent of Gen Z respondents believe there is a significant difference between their online self and their real-world self.
“We hope this social experiment sparks more conversations among friends and family about the need to understand each other’s worlds for the sake of mental well-being.”
The 2,000 people surveyed were evenly divided by generation, Lenovo said.
Experts found that 38 percent of Millennials, born between 1981 and 1996, 18 percent of Generation that their online persona was very different from the one they had. They occur in real life.
Meanwhile, nearly a third of Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2012, said they kept their online world hidden from their family. Just over a quarter of Millennials said the same.
More than half of Gen Z also said they found it easier to express themselves online than offline, compared to 40 percent of respondents overall and less than a quarter of Boomers.
However, experts also found that Generation Z is not necessarily happier maintaining a double life online.
The survey showed that 68 percent of Gen Z respondents felt a disconnect between who is online and offline; and those who experience it say that it generates feelings of anxiety (18 percent), loneliness (17 percent) and depression (15 percent). penny).
When asked what topics they were more comfortable sharing online than offline, around a fifth said they would be more likely to share their ambitions online compared to face-to-face, with 22 per cent mentioning their likes. or dislikes, 19 percent their beliefs (political or otherwise), 17 percent their fears and insecurities and 15 percent their opinions and values.
The study also revealed that 61 percent of Generation Z said they wish they could have challenging conversations with friends and family offline.
Of the 23 percent of younger adults who feel most comfortable being themselves online, 27 percent said they believe they will not be judged online, while 22 percent are not afraid to be authentic and 23 percent percent have formed stronger relationships. online.
However, 54 percent of Gen Z said that speaking with a trained professional would increase their confidence in communicating more openly with loved ones in the real world.
