A poll of 2,000 adults aged 18 to 28 found 39 per cent feel a ‘strong urge’ to look at their phone while conversing with someone in real life.
Social events (28 per cent), speaking with friends (18 per cent) and parents (17 per cent) are some scenarios where the younger generations switch off. And 28 per cent said they are even switching off at work, potentially impacting their productivity.
The biggest temptations to look at your phone when chatting face-to-face with someone include checking messages (48 per cent), scrolling social media (44 per cent) and even opening YouTube (18 per cent).
Meanwhile phone calls (32 per cent), WhatsApp messages (23 per cent) and social media mentions (14 per cent) are some of the notifications deemed hardest to ignore.
The research, commissioned by AXA UK as part of the annual Mind Health Report examining the country’s mental health, found 38 per cent admitted they find real world interaction boring,
And despite the interactions with others via the internet, 63 per cent admit they struggle with real-life interaction – and 77 per cent use their phone as a form of escapism.
Dr Linda Papadopoulos, psychologist and broadcaster, said of the findings: “We’re seeing a generation that’s more connected than ever, yet lonelier and more anxious.
“Constant notifications, endless scrolling, and the pressure to be ‘always on’ are overstimulating their nervous systems and fragmenting their attention spans. Excessive phone use can undoubtedly have an impact on young people’s mental health.
“Many I work with will report waking up throughout the night to check if friends have replied on social media apps – impacting mood, sleep and self-esteem.
“To counter this, we need to help young people build healthier digital habits – not necessarily by removing phones entirely, but by creating structure around their use.
“That might mean phone-free time in the mornings and evenings, limiting notifications or engaging in daily activities that are screen-free and intentionally present.”
Tara Foley, CEO of AXA UK & Ireland, said of the annual Mind Health Report findings: “The results of our fifth Mind Health Report are both enlightening and alarming.
“As a society we’re so well connected via our screens that sometimes we’re losing the human touch.
“Phones give us a hit of dopamine, which is hugely powerful, especially on younger minds that are still developing.
“It’s unsurprising so many parents are worried about the impact phone use could be having on their children.”
The study went on to find 22 per cent of Gen Zs polled find themselves struggling to focus, or lacking productivity every day –- as a direct result of phone use.
A third (34 per cent) say their mental health has suffered due to scrolling social media before bed, while 33 per cent have been affected by comparing their appearance to others online.
Just under one in three (32 per cent) are also uncomfortable when they don’t have access to their phone, and 28 per cent say being without their phone causes anxiety.
With 54 per cent admitting they feel under pressure to reply to messages instantly, even when they don’t want to, according to the OnePoll.com data.
Of those who have issues with mental health, the person most would turn to would be a friend (37 per cent) or partner (31 per cent).
With only 14 per cent opting for a healthcare professional – the same amount who said they wouldn’t have anyone to confide in.
More than half (56 per cent) have intentionally taken breaks from social media or phone use, to better their mental health.
Tara Foley added: “The way we communicate has evolved dramatically, but not always for the better.
“While social media and instant messaging allow for constant connection, they can also make us all feel lonelier than ever.
“We hope this research will encourage a more collaborative approach so that solutions which foster resilience and improve mental health outcomes can be developed for everyone, but especially for young people.”
