Over half of Gen Z (54%) strongly agree “in-person relationships are more valuable than digital relationships”
Gen Z may be a generation closely associated with technology and screen time, but this does not mean they are uninterested in personal connection. The thought is that Gen Z may turn to their technology so often because of their desire to connect with community.
A study done by Impact 360 Institute and Barna found that people who spent more time on social media dealt with increased levels of loneliness. Where Gen Z thought they would find satisfaction left them feeling unfulfilled. The struggle of finding balance between social media relationships and in-person relationships has led 63% of practicing Christians in Gen Z to support “raising the legal age at which someone can have a social media account from 13 to 16.”¹
Gen Z a majority 85% of Gen Z agree they spend too much time online.²
Jessica Winter in The New Yorker says, “Using your mind and body to interact extemporaneously with other minds and bodies is a skill that dulled during the pandemic; it can be boring, or frustrating, or distressing; it demands time, compromise, and accommodation.” While these in-person relationships require more effort, they are real. There is no screen to hide behind.
Over half of Gen Z (54%) strongly agree “in-person relationships are more valuable than digital relationships.”³ This percentage increases to 70% for practicing Christians, so being part of a faith community may reinforce the significance of in-person relationships.
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¹ Gen Z Volume 3, p.72
² Gen Z Volume 3, p.13
³ Gen Z Volume 3, p.70