Why young people are ditching social media

Account manager Matt Richards, 23, experienced a surprising shift when he deleted all social media apps from his phone last year. He found his life improved. Having grown up with smartphones since age 11, like many in Gen Z and millennials, Richards noticed social media had lost its appeal due to the influx of artificial-intelligence generated content, influencer marketing, and constant social comparison.

“I believe people back then used to take a break from the real world by going on their phone, but now people are taking a break from their phone to spend time in the real world,” Richards told CNBC Create It.

This trend, dubbed “chronically offline,” is gaining traction among young people. Ironically, it’s going viral on social media, with TikTok videos showcasing individuals vowing to delete social media apps in 2026 and embracing in-person and analog hobbies. A LinkedIn post seeking perspectives on this shift garnered nearly 100 responses from Gen Z and millennials sharing experiences with social media detoxes and digital burnout.

Many are opting for flip phones, visiting record stores for vinyl, and pursuing hobbies like knitting, prioritizing real-life connections with friends.

Young people are citing the increasing pressures of online life and the negative impact on their mental health as key drivers for disconnecting. A 2025 Deloitte survey found that nearly a quarter of all consumers had deleted a social media app in the past year, rising to nearly a third for Gen Z. Globally, daily time spent on social platforms decreased by almost 10% between 2022 and the end of 2024, particularly among younger demographics.

Jason Dorsey, President of the Center for Generational Kinetics, believes the increased “nastiness and divisiveness” online, even from leaders and politicians, is pushing young people towards greater control over their lives. “We’re seeing that a group of Gen Z [and millennials] is choosing to leave social media entirely, and probably a larger group that’s choosing just to limit social media as they sort of regain more of what they’re trying to find: balance and security and safety in their life,” Dorsey said.

Richards describes social media as a “pressure platform,” where he felt inadequate in terms of accomplishments and possessions. This sentiment is echoed by 36-year-old entrepreneur Lucy Stace, who limits her social media use due to its detrimental effect on her mental health, despite its importance for her business.

As the trend gains momentum, those who disconnect are becoming increasingly appealing. The desire for validation through likes and followers is diminishing. Richards notes that being “offline, unreachable” carries a “cool factor,” suggesting a rejection of constant online visibility. Social media manager Julianna Salguero adds that social media lost its appeal when politicians and brands began actively using the platforms.

This shift coincides with a growing desire for in-person connections, as the digital generation seeks solutions to loneliness and isolation through events like speed dating and professional networking.

University of Sheffield lecturer Ysabel Gerrard suggests going offline is about reclaiming control. She argues that social media demands an exhausting process of identity creation and self-editing, creating a disconnect from authentic self-expression.

Social media manager Salguero expressed a longing for the 1990s, before dating apps and endless scrolling became commonplace. This sentiment reflects a “quiet revolution” against the constant stimulation of digital life. More young people are investing in physical media, such as vinyl records and record players.

Entrepreneur Stace and her boyfriend are building a record collection, while Richards is motivated to purchase a brick phone after speaking with CNBC Make It.