A waffle survey highlights that 49% of young people are concerned about the security of their personal data
Waffle carried out a study on generation Z’s habits and concerns with social networks, privacy and personal relationships and revealed that 38% of generation Z spends between four and seven hours a day on social networks, with Instagram being the preferred channel for 85% of respondents, followed by WhatsApp (83%) and YouTube (41%). The survey interviewed 15 thousand people, of which around 80% are between 19 and 34 years old.
When asked whether they would rather earn $1 million or gain 1 million followers, 93% of respondents chose money, even though they recognized that with a large number of followers they could potentially generate more income.
Still according to the survey, 49% of respondents expressed concern about the security of their personal data, which is why almost 1/3 of young people rarely post, pointing to the demand for profiles that only consume content without posting, the ‘grid zero’, and the use of private Instagram accounts. Given this scenario, 53% of participants say they are neutral regarding the use of these platforms, following them on a daily basis, but worrying about excessive use.
“This demonstrates a new digital behavior, in which content consumption occurs in a more passive way, reflecting a search for control and autonomy over their digital lives”, explains Hernane Jr., CEO and founder of Grupo waffle.
According to the survey, 21% of young participants reported negative experiences linked to these apps, such as anxiety, stress and a tendency to comparisons. 48% of respondents reported feeling anxiety, even without a diagnosis. 29% had this condition confirmed by a professional assessment. According to the survey, loneliness is one of the biggest fears of this generation.
Even dedicating hours to social media, 66% of respondents said they prioritize their personal relationships with family, friends and partners as the most important aspect of their lives. Furthermore, 53% expressed the desire to have one to two children, while 31% dream of getting married. However, 27% say that marriage would only be considered if they found the right person.
“Despite the strong digital presence, what this study shows us is that Gen Z values, above all, real connections. Family relationships and friendships occupy a central place in their lives, signaling a search for balance between online and offline, and reinforcing that the human aspect continues to be a crucial factor in the personal development of this generation”, concludes Hernane.
Credit: Photo by ANGELA FRANKLIN on Unsplash
