01-14 Young Americans Are Unplugging, And It’s Making Them Happier
Gen Z leads the way when it comes to taking a much-needed ‘digital detox,’ survey shows
In A Nutshell
Despite growing up with smartphones, 63% of Gen Z now intentionally unplug, the highest rate of any generation.
On average, 70% of time Americans spend online leaves them feeling disconnected and lonely rather than genuinely connected, leading to feelings of being overwhelmed (25%), anxious (22%), and irritable (18%).
84% of Americans have adopted analogue lifestyle choices, with 32% writing in notebooks, 31% reading printed books, and 28% using paper calendars to create boundaries screens can’t provide.
70% of Americans plan to read more in 2026, with half choosing physical books specifically, citing how reading makes them feel relaxed (46%), mentally stimulated (32%), and grounded (27%).
