Gen Z vs. the Algorithm:

Mental Health in the Digital Age
 

At UCLA’s third annual Gen Z Wellness Summit, hundreds of teens gathered to talk about a shared struggle: living online without losing themselves offline.

Students described social media and AI as constant sources of pressure,  fueling comparison, anxiety, loneliness, and the need for endless validation. TikTok was compared to an addiction, while others said the pressure to stay “always on” affects self-esteem, friendships, and body image.

But the summit focused on solutions, too:

• FOPO > FOMO: Psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman warned about “FOPO” — the fear of people’s opinions — saying it stops people from being authentic and pursuing what matters.

• Real connection matters: Speakers emphasized that self-reflection works better in community, not isolation. Honest conversations helped students realize they weren’t alone.

• AI should support creativity, not replace it: Neuroscientist Vivienne Ming encouraged students to protect their originality, calling human creativity “our real value” in an AI-driven world.

• Social media isn’t reality: UCLA researcher Stuart B. Murray showed how heavily edited images distort beauty standards and contribute to rising eating disorders.

The summit’s biggest message: disconnecting sometimes, building real-life community, and embracing individuality may be some of the best mental health tools Gen Z has.