Gen Z's declining wellbeing, algorithmic technology, and the search for connection beyond the endless scroll

Young adults' wellbeing has declined sharply over the past 15 years, with Gallup data showing a 20-point drop in life ratings since 2010 and the steepest decline occurring around the start of the pandemic. The argument presented here is that Gen Z's distress cannot be explained by Covid alone: TikTok's rapid growth, algorithmic feeds, endless scrolling, AI anxiety, economic insecurity, political instability, constant news, and relentless peer comparison have all contributed. Greater openness about mental health may help explain why Gen Z reports its struggles more directly than earlier generations, but it has not produced clear solutions. In response, many young people are embracing nostalgia and intentional, in-person experiences such as phone-free yoga, crafts, hiking, and other community activities. These events are framed as attempts to rebuild connection and recover forms of social life weakened by technology and isolation.