In Australia, Generation Z ( those born 1997 – 2012) spend the most amount of time daily on social media – clocking in an average 10 hours.

However despite being described as the first truly digital generation—raised with smartphones in their hands and social feeds shaping their identities, a growing number of young people are now rethinking the role of technology in their lives. From “digital detox” challenges to Instagram breaks, there’s a subtle but powerful movement underway: Gen Z is learning to log off every now and then.

Research consistently points to the mental-health strain of being constantly connected as the number-one reason young people are trying to reduce or regulate their online time.

In Australia, a 2023 YouGov poll found that 52% of Gen Z and Millennials had taken a break from social media for mental-health reasons. Many cited anxiety, self-comparison, or burnout from online debates as key triggers.

Another report (by Deloitte) found that for many online users, once they start scrolling, it’s hard to stop. 46% said they regularly spend more time on socials than they initially intended to.

The same also highlighted that Australians have mixed feelings about their time spent on social media, with 33% feeling concerned, 33% unfazed and 33% feeling neutral or declined to share their sentiments.

Psychologists note that the dopamine-driven reward loops—likes, comments, notifications—can mimic addiction pathways. The result: even when it feels draining, people keep scrolling.

The pressure to be constantly performing for a virtual stage is also a factor in many young people switching off or limiting their online time.

In an article on SBS, one recent graduate stated that their biggest challenge was, “Social media … we’re very reliant on it. I think that some young adults do not realise that they are also missing out on life because of it.”

Social media demographics in Australia are expected to change in a big way in 2026, with the Australian Government announcing in November 2024 that it would be setting a minimum age of 16 for social media.

Set to take effect in December 2025, the bill will cover networks like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and X. YouTube will be exempt, as the government understands its primary purpose as “education and health support.”

While some young people are being logged off without a choice, many are choosing to disconnect themselves—at least temporarily—as a quiet act of resistance.

Movements like “digital minimalism” and “dopamine detox” have gained traction across platforms like TikTok and Reddit. Many young people are now experimenting with scheduled “offline hours,” limiting screen time apps, or even swapping smartphones for “dumb phones.”

Logging off isn’t necessarily about rejecting technology outright—it’s about achieving a sense of balance. Cutting back online helps young people to rediscover offline joys: time outdoors, creative hobbies, or connection face-to-face with their friends.

The Digital Wellbeing Centre – Australia reports that heavy social media use correlates with lower life satisfaction among youth. Those who consciously reduce screen time often experience improved sleep and focus, and a renewed sense of control over their attention.

Rather than a mass exodus from the internet, what’s emerging is a more mature digital culture. Gen Z isn’t giving up social media—they’re redesigning their relationship with it. The trend points toward conscious connectivity: using technology intentionally, setting boundaries, and prioritising mental health over metrics.

The Gen Z “log-off” movement isn’t about nostalgia for a pre-digital world—it’s about redefining what a healthy digital life looks like. Whether through weekend detoxes, deleted apps, or new online boundaries, young people are proving that in an era of constant connection, the most radical act they can do is to simply disconnect.