The late 19th century presented a world where experiences were singular and unrepeatable. Each musical performance, every oration, even the ephemeral beauty of a rainbow, possessed a unique quality lost in the advent of recording technologies. Cinema and radio, revolutionary inventions of the time, irrevocably altered the consumption of popular culture, ushering in an era of reproducibility and mass dissemination. This shift empowered media moguls who, captivated by the potential of these new mediums, embarked on an unrestrained pursuit of expansion, fueled by the seemingly limitless profits and the allure of a technologically advanced future. Their focus was on “more,” a philosophy that prioritized quantity over quality and laid the groundwork for the pervasive media landscape we inhabit today.
This initial wave of technological advancement paved the way for the emergence of television, a medium that further distanced audiences from the original performance while simultaneously cultivating a dependence on strategically engineered dopamine releases. The effortless access to heightened stimulation fostered a societal addiction, promising a future of constant excitement with minimal exertion. The subsequent rise of streaming and personal devices amplified this trend, intertwining unprecedented profitability with a decline in genuine human connection. Empathy eroded, anxiety spiked, and social inadequacies became normalized as screens dominated our lives, contributing to a widespread societal malaise.
However, amidst this digitally saturated landscape, a nascent shift is emerging, spearheaded by the very generation most deeply impacted by screen addiction: Generation Z. Born into a world permeated by the internet, Gen Z’s understanding of the world has been fundamentally shaped by digital interfaces. From education and coaching to the mundane tasks of daily life, screens have mediated their experiences, often restricting real-world agency and replacing direct human interaction with app-driven solutions. This constant exposure has inadvertently created a generation simultaneously adept at navigating the digital realm and increasingly aware of its limitations.
Paradoxically, Gen Z’s immersion in the digital world has fostered an instinctive yearning for something more tangible, more authentic. The escalating cost of living, a pressing concern for this generation, has prompted a reassessment of priorities. User-generated content, with its raw and unfiltered nature, is gaining traction over polished, expensive media productions. The pursuit of lasting meaning and experiences is eclipsing the fleeting gratification of materialism. This shift in values is reflected in a growing distrust of institutions, including tech companies, government, and the justice system, signifying a disillusionment with the established order and a desire for more transparent and accountable systems.
Furthermore, Gen Z is embracing trends like underconsumption and de-influencing, challenging the consumerist ethos propagated by the media and demanding a healthier work-life balance. This questioning of established norms and the prioritization of well-being represent a significant departure from the values of previous generations and signal a potential turning point in societal attitudes. These trends are not merely reactions against the excesses of the digital age; they represent a conscious effort to reclaim agency and redefine what constitutes a fulfilling life.
The year 2025, I predict, will mark a pivotal moment in this ongoing transformation. Gen Z, innately familiar with the digital world, will increasingly seek the novelty of unmediated human interaction, embracing the “shock of the new” in the form of tech-free experiences. This shift will involve navigating the unfamiliarity and unpredictability of face-to-face connection, a stark contrast to the curated and controlled environment of online interactions. While daunting, this return to human connection offers the richness and dimensionality absent in the digital realm, a re-engagement with the messy, unpredictable, yet ultimately fulfilling reality of human interaction. This embrace of authentic experience, spearheaded by Gen Z, will ultimately lead to a societal re-evaluation of screen time, celebrating the virtues of disconnecting and fostering a more balanced relationship with technology.
