The great digital fatigue: How digital burnout is changing social media use

# Summary A survey of 1,000 adults reveals that people are experiencing digital burnout and quietly withdrawing from active social media participation—55% post less than five years ago, 47% have deleted apps due to stress, and over half feel maintaining an online presence is work rather than enjoyment. Younger generations (Gen Z and Millennials) report higher rates of mental health concerns and app deletion, with 60% of Gen Z viewing online presence as a burden. While disconnecting from social media primarily brings relief (27% report peacefulness), it also creates anxiety for some users, reflecting conflicting emotions about stepping away from digital connectivity.