Did you know that Gen Zs are practically living online? From Instagram to TikTok, X, and Snapchat, the average young person is active on about six to seven different social media platforms every month. And it’s not just a quick scroll; they spend over two hours daily glued to their screens.
In fact, over 90% of young internet users in this age group are active online, a sign that social media isn’t just a pastime anymore, but a lifestyle — shaping how they learn, play, build communities, and even dream about the future.
The world, as we know it, thrives digitally, with millions of voices from around the world connected through various online spaces. Social media platforms, including X, Facebook, Instagram, Discord, TikTok, and even gaming communities connected with games like Call of Duty, Fortnite, and Roblox, foster this global interaction.
As of 2025, around 5.24 to 5.41 billion people use social media globally, which is about 63–66% of the world’s population, and about 3.32 billion are active video gamers worldwide.
Adeola, an aspiring YouTuber, says she feels freer expressing herself through a screen than in person, adding, “Yes, in the sense that it’s easier to express myself through the screen than in real life.”
The internet and these online communities have made connections and communication easier and more effective. With the constant rise in the number of active users, these platforms have become sources of social connection, entertainment, career-related opportunities, and friendships.
“They keep me connected to learning, opportunities, and people who share my interests,” Bube added.
Inclusion and Belonging
The various communities bring about a sense of belonging and relationships amongst Gen Zs online. With the presence of inclusivity, there is a sense of belonging as they coexist with like minds who share similar interests, values, beliefs, and constructs in these spaces.
“I’ve made friends I speak with regularly through the gaming community; we even have a group chat, and I’ve found career-related opportunities through online spaces,” Bube stated.
“Yes, I’ve met people I wouldn’t have met offline, and some of those connections have been genuine,” Desmond said.
These communities provide comfort, encouraging interactions from diverse viewpoints and perspectives without them having to sound ‘weird’ or ‘out of place.’
“It feels the least performative. It’s authentic, inspiring, and creative. I feel like I can actually be myself on YouTube with no need to perform,” Adeola explained.
She described relationships she had had as “memorable interactions.”
“I’m more open online. Offline, I can be quiet and reserved, but online I find it easier to share my thoughts,” Bube explained.
Toxicity and the Need for Balance
The digital world is one of social convergence and divergence, as people from various backgrounds with different opinions and perspectives from around the globe connect.
This promotes diversity and globalisation but also creates room for toxicity, negative influence, peer pressure, scams, negativity, racism, and cases of discrimination.
“People can be harsh without thinking,” Desmond said.
The cases of discrimination are sometimes gender-based, belittling females, and that of peer pressure, which sets unrealistic expectations among members of these online communities.
Desmond explained how online spaces identify endless opportunities but also bring pressure and comparisons,
highlighting the need for balance.
“Not perfect at it yet, but I’ve learned to filter what I take in so it doesn’t affect my mentality in the long run,” he said.
It is important to understand and be able to filter information, as these issues shape mindsets positively and negatively.
“Just like everyone, constantly being online and consuming so much information at once is quite draining. If it becomes too much, it gets hard to differentiate what’s real and what’s not. Parasocial relationships and self-comparison are real,” Adeola added.
In the end, the online space is a double-edged sword with various possibilities; hence, protecting one’s space is key.
“The positives outweigh the negatives,” Bube explained.
“Even though it has its downsides, it has opened my eyes and taught me things I wouldn’t have known otherwise,” Desmond added.
Online communities give comfort, laughter, and connection — and sometimes, that’s worth the extra screen time. Sleep? That’s tomorrow’s problem.
For Gen Zs, going offline isn’t the end of the world. It’s the start of a hundred missed notifications.
