Introduction:

The rapid growth of social media platforms in recent years has brought about
profound changes in the way individuals communicate, socialize, and
consume information. Generation Z (Gen Z), comprising individuals born
between the late 1990s and early 2010s, has grown up in an era where social
media is an integral part of daily life. Platforms such as Instagram, Twitter,
TikTok, Snapchat, and Facebook dominate their online interactions and
significantly influence their self-perception, social connections, and overall
well-being.

While social media can foster a sense of community, creativity, and

connection, its aggressive use has raised concerns about its psychological
impact. Studies suggest that excessive social media consumption,
particularly when characterized by constant engagement, comparison, and
validation-seeking, can contribute to heightened stress, anxiety, and
depression. For Gen Z, the pressure to maintain an idealized online persona,
manage digital friendships, and stay up-to-date with ever-evolving trends
may exacerbate feelings of stress and insecurity.

This study aims to investigate the relationship between aggressive social

media usage and stress levels among Gen Z individuals. Specifically, it will
explore how the frequency, intensity, and nature of social media interactions
affect their mental health. By understanding these dynamics, the study
seeks to contribute to a broader conversation about the role of social media
in shaping the mental well-being of young people and provide insights into
strategies for managing digital consumption in healthier ways.

A 2022 survey by Morning Consult showed that many Gen Z members spend
a lot of time on social media. Specifically, 54% said they spend at least four
hours a day on it, and 38% spend even more time. This heavy use of social
media affects their mental health and how they interact with others.

Social Media’s Effects on Generation Z

Social media’s power is in its capacity to instantly link individuals all over the
world. However, there are other adverse effects on Gen Z’s mental health
that are hidden beneath the surface. The development of inflated ideals of
prosperity and beauty is one notable effect, which is sustained by the well
chosen photos and lifestyles that are displayed on social media sites such as
Instagram.

Generation Z individuals frequently experience low self-esteem and feelings

of inadequacy as a result of constantly comparing themselves to these
unachievable standards.

Moreover, the phenomenon of “FOMO” (Fear of Missing Out) fueled by

platforms like Snapchat and Twitter intensifies feelings of anxiety and
loneliness. Constantly bombarded with highlights of their peers’ lives, Gen Z
often experiences a heightened sense of pressure to participate in every
social event, ultimately leading to burnout and emotional exhaustion.

Gen Z Mental Health & Social Media

It is evident that social media and Gen Z’s mental health are mutually
beneficial. Excessive social media use has been directly linked in studies to a
number of mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and even
suicide thoughts. An individual’s psychological health suffers as a result of
the harmful loop that is created by being constantly exposed to well chosen
content and the constant need for approval from likes and comments.

Supportive Communities: Social media provides Gen Z with a space to find

support and solidarity. Whether it’s joining online forums for mental health
awareness or participating in promoting campaigns, social media connects
them with like-minded individuals and support networks.

Negative Effects of Social Media on Gen Z:

Comparison and Low Self-Esteem: Social media often leads to unhealthy

comparison and unrealistic standards, contributing to feelings of inadequacy
and low self-esteem among Gen Z. Constant exposure to curated images and
lifestyles can make them feel like they’re not good enough.

Cyberbullying: Gen Z is particularly vulnerable to cyberbullying, with social

media platforms providing anonymity and a platform for harassment.
Cyberbullying can have devastating effects on their mental health, leading to
anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.

Addiction and Distraction: Social media’s addictive nature can lead to

excessive screen time and distractions from real-life activities. Gen Z may
find it difficult to disconnect from social media, leading to poor sleep
patterns, decreased productivity, and social withdrawal.
Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): Social media amplifies the fear of missing out on
social events and experiences, leading Gen Z to constantly compare their
lives to others and feel pressured to participate in everything. This fear of
missing out can contribute to anxiety and stress.

Privacy Concerns and Online Safety: Gen Z’s reliance on social media
exposes them to privacy risks and online safety concerns. From data
breaches to online predators, social media platforms give rise to significant
risks to their personal information and security.

Smartphones are widely regarded as indispensable components of human

existence on a

Global scale. Extensive research consistently shows that students exhibit a

significant

Propensity for excessive smartphone usage, with smartphones ranking

among their

Preferred devices (Fu et al., 2021; Mahapatra, 2019). While smartphones

provide many

Conveniences, it is important to acknowledge the negative consequences of

smartphone

Usage, such as smartphone addiction. Smartphone addiction refers to the

compulsive and

Impulsive use of smartphones (Cha & Seo, 2018). An individual’s level of

severity in

Developing a smartphone addiction is proportional to the rate and length of

time that they

Spend using their device (van Deursen et al., 2015). Similar to other
addictions,

Smartphone addiction is characterized by its salience, mood modification,

and the

Resulting problems it causes in daily life (Samaha & Hawi, 2016). Prior
research has

Indicated that persons who experience anxiety (Hong et al., 2012) and
loneliness
(Dayapoglu et al., 2016) are more likely to acquire smartphone addiction due
to their

Tendency to feel bashful during social interactions. In the previous decade,

contemporary

Mobile technologies have become increasingly widespread. The presence of

diverse

Applications, such as social networking sites (SNSs), on smartphones,

facilitates the

Connection between users (Fu et al., 2021). People’s everyday usage of

smartphones has

Coincided with a widespread discussion in the research community about the

association,

Favorable or negative, between screen time and behavioral and health

consequences

(Manwell et al., 2022).

Since the year 2000, previous research has established the significance of
mobile

Communication and subjective well-being (Bae, 2019; Chan, 2018; Hu et al.,

2017; Munzel et al., 2018). Subjective wellbeing is examined through the
utilization of both the

Hedonic and eudemonic traditions in behavioral science research (Dodge et

al., 2012).

The occurrence of COVID-19 as an unforeseen and highly impactful event has

resulted

In significant transformations in several parts of individuals’ everyday

routines (Khanra

Et al., 2021; Talwar et al., 2020; Wind et al., 2020). More precisely, the
analysis of

Subjective well-being during the lockdowns considers various aspects of

human

Experience, including cognitive (life satisfaction), psychological

(psychological
Discomfort), and mental health (positive mental health) characteristics.
While social

Media usage offers numerous advantages to users, particularly during the

pandemic

Lockdown (Sheth, 2020), it is important to acknowledge the negative aspects

of social

Media. Specifically, the harmful impacts of social media use in the post-
pandemic period

Have yet to be thoroughly examined (Dhir et al., 2019; Islam et al., 2020).
Generation Z

(Gen Z), who have been raised in a time of peace and have had access to
superior

Technologies, are currently encountering unprecedented difficulties

(Osgerby, 2020). The

Impact of social media usage on the psychological well-being of individuals,

particularly

Those belonging to Gen Z (people born between the mid-1990s and early
2010s), was

Noted during the pandemic lockdown (Priporas et al., 2017).

While social media usage offers numerous advantages to users, particularly

during the

Pandemic lockdown (Sheth, 2020), it is important to acknowledge the

negative aspects of

Social media. Diverse social media platforms have been prominently utilized
during the

COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused widespread anxiety globally. This is

primarily

Due to social distancing measures and the closure of educational institutions

and

Workplaces, which have impacted the livelihoods and lifestyles of numerous

individuals
(Sarangi et al., 2022). In the post-pandemic era, current research indicates a
significant

Probability of an increase in mental health challenges, suggesting the

existence of an

Emotional epidemic curve (Ransing et al., 2020). The post-pandemic context

has

Significantly impacted mental health due to the implications on physical

health, social

Dynamics, and economic conditions (Prakash et al., 2024). Besides, Sohu and
Chaudhary

(2024) disclosed that post-pandemic smartphone usage among users has

surged, resulting

In a notable rise in physical and psychological symptoms, as well as an

increase in BMI.

Nevertheless, there remains a dearth of studies elucidating the mechanisms

underlying

The correlation between smartphone-mediated online communication and

subjective wellbeing. Kuss and Griffiths (2017) observed the Intersection of
social media and smartphone addiction. Gezgin (2018) urged researchers to
look into the relationship

Between SNS usage and smartphone addiction in the context of a developing

nation, using

The current Bangladesh study as an example. The study investigates the

post-COVID

Scenario of Gen Z users’ social media usage behavior in broader aspects.

Individuals

Experiencing psychosocial issues, such as social stress and difficulties in self-

regulation,

Tend to favor alternative modes of communication, specifically through

smartphones,

Rather than engaging in direct face-to-face interactions.

The study seeks to ascertain the impact of social stress and self-regulation
on addictive

Smartphone usage among Gen Z university students in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

In particular,

This study will concentrate on how the addictive smartphone use of Gen Z
drives them to

Drastically increase their use of social media. Furthermore, the study aims to
examine how

The degree to which subjective well-being acts as a moderating factor in the

correlation

Between addicted smartphone use and social media use among Gen Z users.

Consequently, this investigation will furnish the answers to the research

problems it has

Presented.

RQ1: What is the impact of social stress and self-regulation on the addictive
smartphone

Use of Gen Z users?

RQ2: What is the impact of Gen Z users’ smartphone addiction on their social
media

Usage?

RQ3: What is the impact of subjective well-being on the addicted smartphone

use and

Social media usage behavior of Gen Z users?

This article has more than one section. The first section serves as an
introduction. The

Second component covers the literature review, theoretical foundation, and

the

Formulation of hypotheses. The third portion discusses the research

methodology. The

Fourth section contains the study’s results. The fifth section presents the
discussion
And consideration of both theoretical and practical aspects. The conclusion,
study

Limitations, and future research scope have become clearer.