The start of a new year is usually when people talk about fresh goals, but it is also when we take stock of what we actually managed to change. In 2025, one Gen Z resolution stood out because it was aimed less at appearance or productivity and more at peace of mind. Instead of adding a new habit, many tried to drop an old one that has become almost automatic. The goal was simple on paper and surprisingly hard in real life.
A survey reported that 52 percent of Gen Z respondents said they tried to stop using social media during 2025. The research was conducted by Check My Insurance on a sample of 1,000 American adults and was shared by YourTango, with participants also asked about their 2025 resolutions and what they were aiming for in 2026. Another commonly mentioned change was cutting back on sugar, which feels like a more traditional self improvement target. But the social media goal grabbed attention because it pushes against the stereotype that Gen Z is perfectly happy living online.
When the results were broken down by generation, Gen Z separated itself from the rest. While 52 percent of Gen Z said they tried to quit social media, the survey noted that 33 percent of all respondents said they were trying to reduce the habit of endless scrolling. That gap matters because it suggests this is not just a general fatigue everyone feels after doomscrolling a little too long. For many young adults, the habit seems tied to something deeper than boredom.
@_jemma_bella If you can relate to this sending all the love ❤️🩹 . . #fyp #spoonie #mentalhealth ♬ original sound – user
Mental health was the most common reason Gen Z gave for trying to step away. The article also points to UC Davis Health, which notes that heavy time on social platforms can be linked with higher risks of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. At the same time, Gen Z still relies on these apps for very practical things like finding products, keeping up with news, and interacting with brands, as described in Sprout Social’s Q1 2024 Sprout Pulse Survey. This is the push and pull that makes quitting feel less like deleting an app and more like reshaping daily life.
Usage numbers underline why this is so complicated. The piece cites data showing more than 80 percent of Gen Z uses Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, and that many spend at least four hours a day on social media, with a notable share spending seven hours or more. Even their feelings are split, with roughly half saying they are satisfied with their current screen time while about a third say they would like to reduce it. That ambivalence explains why many people reportedly started strong, then slid back into old patterns.
If you have tried a social media reset yourself, I would love to hear what actually helped, whether it was app limits, phone free mornings, or replacing scrolling with something more grounding. Share your experience in the comments.
