Prevalent Addictions in Gen Z

Abstract

This paper offers a comprehensive interdisciplinary analysis of the addiction crisis among Generation Z, the first generation raised in an entirely digital environment. Characterized by unprecedented exposure to smartphones, social media, and online platforms, Gen Z faces heightened vulnerability to both behavioral and chemical addictions. Drawing on psychological, sociological, biological, and theological perspectives, the study explores the multifaceted causes and consequences of addictions, including pornography, social media dependence, gaming, gambling, and substance use. These behaviors are often expressions of deeper crises in identity, emotional regulation, and spiritual orientation, shaped by hyperconnectivity, social fragmentation, and cultural relativism. The research reveals how digital environments restructure reward mechanisms and promote compulsive behaviors, while also contributing to emotional isolation and diminished resilience. Through critical engagement with empirical data and theological reflection, the study argues that addiction in Gen Z must be viewed as a symptom of existential dislocation and the erosion of relational and moral frameworks.