In recent years, the topic of mental health has been at the center of debates and discussions like never before. TV, radio, and social media have dedicated more and more space to raising awareness about this issue. But why is it so crucial in today’s world?
by Elia Tessari
There’s no doubt that the world we Gen Z are living in is completely different from the one our parents knew—and I don’t mean that only in a negative way. Let me explain.
A World of Endless Distractions
Have you ever wondered if our parents had all these digital distractions? All this entertainment at their fingertips? I have.
Looking at various articles and surveys from their time, entertainment channels and digital distractions (such as ads, online content, videos, posts, and live streams) were few and far between.
But the real difference between the content they consumed and what we consume today is massive. Compared to the past, today’s content often feels empty, a reflection of a generation that is increasingly depressed and glued to screens 24/7.
The amount of entertainment, information, and educational content we consume has reached unprecedented levels. If we really tried to watch everything that’s produced daily, even 100 lifetimes wouldn’t be enough. And this is where a fundamental difference lies between us and our parents: we are dealing with an overload of information that our brains simply can’t process.
The Shift in Social Relationships
Another major change is in social interactions. Before COVID-19, young people couldn’t wait to go out, chat, and meet friends, family, and acquaintances. Now, many of us prefer to spend Saturday night alone, watching a movie rather than going to a club. And when it comes to dating? We just swipe left or right from the comfort of our homes.
Reclaiming Human Connection
This is what truly sets our generation apart from that of our parents. We’ve lost a sense of real, face-to-face connection in favor of digital convenience. It’s time to take back conviviality and human relationships—the very things we’ve left behind. If we do, the world will be a better place.
cover: photo by Dan Meyers on Unsplash