Media consumption and social vulnerability: generation z’s mental health in the digital era

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between media consumption and social vulnerability, focusing on the mental health of Generation Z in the digital era. The rapid growth of internet use has created both opportunities and risks, particularly for young people who are digital natives. Using a qualitative case study approach, interviews were conducted with late adolescents aged 18-21 who engage in daily online activities. The findings reveal that excessive exposure to harmful online content, such as pornography, cyberbullying, and hoax news, contributes to psychological distress, digital addiction, and social isolation. These patterns disrupt daily routines, weaken resilience, and increase vulnerability to broader social risks. The results futher indicate that the constant connectivity of generation Z fosters a paradoxical condition; while digital platforms provide spaces for self expression and social interaction, they simultaneously expose young people to unfiltered and often harmful content. Participation reported feelings of anxiety, sleep disstrubances, and reduced academic performance linked to their online habits. In addition, the normalization of cyberbullying and exposure to sensationalized misinformation were found to erode trust in institutions and weaken interpersonal relationships.  The study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive interventions. Digital literacy programs, critical media awareness campaigns, and family baed monitoring strategies are essentioal to mitigate the negative impact of unregulated medaiconsumption. Educators and policymakers must collaborate to design currcila tha integrated meia literacy as a core competency, while families should foster open communication to guode adolescents in navigation online spaces responsibly. By framing internet use as aboth a cultural practice and a source of sosio psychological risk, this research contributes to communication scholarship and offers practical insgihts for strengthening generation Z mental resilience in the digital era.