Social media hyperconnectivity linked to youth anxiety in Spain

High levels of social media use among young people in Spain are being linked to increased symptoms of anxiety and depression. Research indicates that Generation Z, aged 16 to 30, spends an average of seven hours daily on mobile devices, with approximately four hours dedicated to platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp.

Data from Save the Children highlights the emotional impact of this hyperconnectivity, noting that 17% of adolescents feel anxious when unable to access their mobile phones, and 44% perceive a lack of kindness in online interactions. The tendency to present idealized versions of life—where 64% of users share only happy moments and nearly 40% use filters to correct perceived imperfections—contributes to difficult social comparisons.

While digital consumption remains intense, there is an emerging paradox in how young people manage their privacy. Unlike previous generations who shared life more openly on early social networks, many current users maintain high levels of connectivity while being more selective or cautious about what personal information they expose publicly.