Digital Wellbeing 2022 is a national UK study exploring the impact that social media use has on the wellbeing of Gen Z. The study asked 1000 participants aged 16–24 from across the UK a series of questions relating to the way that their social media use affects them. Important topics such as mental health, body image, social comparisons, negative news consumption, social media addiction, and many more were explored as part of the research project.
To what extent is your exercise routine positively or negatively impacted by the amount of time you spend online?
32% of respondents indicated that their exercise had been negatively impacted by the amount of time they spent online.
To what extent is your study positively or negatively impacted by the amount of time you spend online?
40% of respondents indicated that their study had been negatively impacted by the amount of time they spent online.
How often, if ever, has your social media use negatively affected your mental health?
88% of respondents indicated that social media had negatively affected their mental health.
How often, if ever, has your social media use negatively affected your physical health?
77% of respondents indicated that social media had negatively affected their physical health.
How often, if ever, has social media negatively affected the way you feel about your own body?
85% of respondents indicated that social media had negatively affected the way they feel about their own body.
Has social media ever made you want to permanently change a part of your body through surgery?
46% of respondents indicated that social media had made them want to permanently change a part of their body through surgery.
How often, if ever, has any content on social media made you feel pressured to be perfect?
86% of respondents indicated that content on social media had made them feel pressured to be perfect.
How often, if ever, have you felt unsatisfied with your life when comparing it to others on social media?
88% of respondents indicated that they felt unsatisfied with their life when comparing it to others on social media.
How often, if ever, has social media use ever made you feel anxious?
84% of respondents indicated that social media use had made them feel anxious.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: I feel addicted to bad news online
32% of respondents indicated that they felt addicted to bad news online.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: I feel safe to share my opinions and views online
33% of respondents indicated that they didn't feel safe to share their opinions and views online.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements: I am worried that I have a social media addiction
44% of respondents indicated that they were worried they have an addiction to social media.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements: I feel better when I spend less time on social media
52% of respondents indicated that they felt better when they spent less time on social media.
“The findings of Digital Wellbeing 2022 are stark. They underline the vital importance of education from an early age in the safe and respectful use of social media.”
Cybersmile Advisory Panel
Overview
Key Takeaways
- 46% said social media made them want to permanently change a part of their body through surgery
- 87% said content on social media made them feel pressured to be perfect
- 85% said social media negatively affected the way they felt about their own bodies
- 89% said social media negatively affected their mental health
- 77% said social media negatively affected their physical health
- 89% felt unsatisfied with their life when comparing it to others on social media
- 86% said social media use made them feel anxious
- 32% felt addicted to bad news online
- 33% didn't feel safe sharing their opinions and views online
- 44% were worried they had an addiction to social media
- 52% felt better when they spent less time on social media
- 51% said their sleep was negatively impacted by the amount of time they spent online
- 32% said their diet was negatively impacted by the amount of time they spent online
- 32% said their exercise was negatively impacted by the amount of time they spent online
- 40% said their study was negatively impacted by the amount of time they spent online
Method
The research was conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Cybersmile across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland with 1,000 general respondents (aged 16–24) who were social media users between 16.05.2022 and 24.05.2022. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society, which is based on the ESOMAR principles, and is a member of The British Polling Council.
Citation
The Cybersmile Foundation (2022). Digital Wellbeing Report (2022): A national UK study examining the impact of social media use on Gen Z wellbeing.