CGK President Jason Dorsey was featured in CNBC explaining an emerging shift among Gen Z: a growing number of young adults are intentionally stepping back from social media. For the first true generation of digital natives, that may sound surprising, but it reflects a deeper conversation about balance, control, and mental well-being in a hyperconnected world.
Why are some Gen Zers pulling back?
In the CNBC feature, Jason shared insights from CGK’s ongoing State of Gen Z research. Several factors are driving the shift. Many Gen Zers cite:
- Online negativity and divisiveness
- Constant social comparison
- The impact of social media on mental well-being
As a result, some members of Gen Z, and even younger Millennials, are choosing to take intentional breaks or limit how much time they spend online. What makes it interesting is where the conversation lives. Much of it is happening on social media itself, where Gen Z openly trades strategies for healthier digital habits.
A generation that sees how the platforms work
Another factor is awareness. As the most advertised-to generation in history, Gen Z understands that many platforms are built to capture attention and monetize engagement through targeted ads and algorithm-driven feeds. That understanding makes some Gen Zers far more intentional about how and when they show up online.
Why leaders should pay attention
This reaches well beyond social media habits. It offers a window into how Gen Z thinks about control, trust, technology, and well-being, themes CGK has tracked for years through ongoing research and in Jason’s bestselling book, Zconomy.
As the conversation around social media use keeps evolving, and as governments explore regulations like minimum age requirements, this is a trend leaders, brands, and policymakers should watch closely. A big thank-you to CNBC for including Jason’s perspective, with more discoveries to come from ongoing research at CGK.
Gen Z didn’t reject technology. They got intentional about it, and that shift is the real story leaders need to understand.
Q: Why are some Gen Zers stepping back from social media?
A: In a CNBC feature, CGK President Jason Dorsey pointed to CGK’s State of Gen Z research: many Gen Zers cite online negativity and divisiveness, constant social comparison, and the impact on mental well-being, so some are taking intentional breaks or limiting their time online.
Q: Why does Gen Z pulling back from social media matter to leaders?
A: The shift signals how Gen Z is thinking about control, trust, technology, and well-being. As governments explore rules like minimum age requirements, leaders, brands, and policymakers should watch the trend closely.
Q: What research is Jason Dorsey’s CNBC perspective based on?
A: It draws on CGK’s ongoing State of Gen Z research and themes from Jason Dorsey’s bestselling book, Zconomy.
