Increase in social media use and ‘doomscrolling’ could affect mental health and productivity in Gen-Z workers

Nuffield Health’s 2024 ‘Healthier Nation Index’ – a survey of 8,000 UK adults has highlighted how the young workforce is more social media obsessed than ever before. The study claims that social media use has increased for Gen-Z, with 16-24-year-olds spending over two hours a day doomscrolling on social media apps like TikTok, Instagram and Facebook per day (129 minutes), which is a seven percent increase and nearly ten minutes more a day than they were last year (119 minutes). This is four times the daily recommended amount for improved wellbeing.

Social media has many uses. It’s a great place for connecting with others and sharing information, but while it’s used by many for entertainment and interaction, research highlights that 71 percent of young people use it to consume news. The term doomscrolling was coined during the pandemic to describe the action of constantly scrolling through and reading depressing news on a news site or social media, especially on phones. And with the majority of Brits admitting to looking at their phone within an hour of going to bed, it’s hardly surprising many have struggled with sleep and their physical and mental health.

Nearly a quarter said screen time before bed is the third biggest barrier to sleep, while 44 percent of young people said social media has negatively impacted their physical and mental health in the last 12 months. Declines in mental wellbeing coupled with lack of sleep can be a dangerous combination. The relationship between mental health and sleep isn’t entirely understood, but according to neurochemistry studies, an adequate night’s sleep helps enhance mental health and emotional resilience equally. Chronic sleep disruptions might generate negative thinking and emotional sensitivity, with research suggesting poor sleep makes us twice as responsive to stress.

In the workplace, this could mean that if faced with stressful situations, employees are more likely to overreact, and if this stress carries over into home life, it could exacerbate sleep issues – resulting in more serious mental health conditions like anxiety or depression, which can increase workplace absence and affect productivity.

Lisa Gunn, Mental Health Prevention Lead at Nuffield Health, offers advice on how employers can tackle the issue in the workplace.

Recognise unhealthy habits

Social media might seem harmless, but it can be addictive. With instant information and gratification available in the palm of our hands, many have become dependent on it despite negative consequences, such as lack of sleep or poor mental health, as using it fulfils a need or gives them a hit of dopamine. Modern employers should be aware of young employees who may be presenting an unhealthy relationship or addiction to social media. Some signs can include someone who constantly uses their phone to procrastinate, checks notifications throughout the day, constantly monitors likes and shares, only communicates with others via social media and someone who regularly takes photos or sends voice notes at work.

Establish workplace policies

Internet and social media policies help to establish boundaries with employees and tackle overuse during work hours. While corporate policies are generally put in place to govern and protect the interests of the company and maintain brand reputation, they can also be used to monitor employee performance and productivity, particularly amongst vulnerable groups. This can include guidelines surrounding social media use during work hours, such as when it is prohibited. Such restrictions should be written into employment contracts, and employees should be made aware of them from the get-go and enforced throughout the workplace.

Encourage lifestyle changes outside of work too

Responsible businesses should try to find ways to encourage lifestyle changes outside of work, to help boost the effects of internal employee benefits. For example, the modern workplace often encourages employees to stay connected with clients, colleagues and the wider world via social media apps. But employers should consider whether that push for connectivity is resorting to an ‘always on’ approach that can often lead to doomscrolling and, ultimately, burnout. Some ways to resolve this issue may be to provide employees with a set amount of time to make work-related connections during work hours to remove this desire. Alternatively, promoting activities encouraging them to put their phones away, such as physical activity or meditation workshops, will get employees off their phones, boost wellbeing and promote healthy sleep hormones.