Gen Z is often characterized by a striking paradox: they are the most progressive generation in modern history, yet they also report the highest rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.

This is not a coincidence, but rather a complex dynamic where the very factors that drive their progressivism also contribute to their profound anxiety.

The Unprecedented Access to Information 

Gen Z has grown up with unprecedented access to information, and this exposure is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it has fueled their progressive worldview, but on the other, it has created a constant state of overwhelm.

• Political and Social Awareness: With a smartphone in their hand, Gen Z has a direct, unfiltered window into the world’s problems. They don’t just read about climate change or social injustice in a textbook; they see it in real time through viral videos, social media posts, and livestreams. This constant exposure has created a profound sense of urgency and moral responsibility, leading them to be vocal advocates for change. They are far more aware of global issues than previous generations were at their age, which has led to their strong progressive stances on topics like climate action, gun control, and racial justice.

• A World of Constant Crisis: However, this constant stream of information also means they are relentlessly exposed to a global "crisis news cycle." From school shootings to a global pandemic and political instability, they have had to navigate a world that feels perpetually on the brink of disaster. This relentless exposure to tragedy and uncertainty, without the filter of traditional media or the coping mechanisms of older generations, can lead to a state of chronic anxiety and hopelessness.

Social Media and the Comparison Trap 

Social media is a central part of Gen Z’s life, and while it has been a powerful tool for progressive activism, it has also been a major contributor to their mental health crisis.

• A Platform for Progress: Gen Z uses social media to organize, mobilize, and amplify their progressive causes. It has allowed them to connect with like-minded people across the globe, creating a powerful sense of community and shared purpose. This is where movements like Black Lives Matter and the March for Our Lives found their footing, creating a new model of decentralized, grassroots activism that bypasses traditional political institutions.

• The Pressure of Perfection: At the same time, social media creates a relentless "comparison trap." Gen Z is constantly bombarded with highly curated, idealized images of others' lives. This leads to a constant feeling of inadequacy, a fear of missing out (FOMO), and a deep sense of social anxiety. This pressure to perform a "perfect" digital identity is exhausting and often leads to feelings of loneliness and low self-esteem.

A Systemic Lack of Security 

Gen Z’s progressivism is also fueled by their economic reality, but that reality is also a major source of their anxiety. They are a generation that has come of age in a world of profound economic instability.

• The Fight for a Fairer System: Having witnessed the Great Recession of 2008 and the subsequent bailouts, Gen Z is deeply skeptical of the capitalist system. Their progressive economic views—support for things like universal basic income, student loan forgiveness, and labor rights—stem from a lived reality of economic precarity. They have seen how the system has failed to provide their parents and older siblings with the same opportunities and security that previous generations enjoyed.

• The Fear of the Future: However, this awareness also breeds a deep sense of anxiety about their own financial future. They face an unprecedented debt burden from student loans, a hyper-inflated housing market that makes homeownership seem impossible, and a job market that is often dominated by low-wage, gig economy jobs. The uncertainty of whether they will ever be able to achieve the financial security of their parents is a major source of stress.

In conclusion, Gen Z’s progressive values and their heightened anxiety are two sides of the same coin. Their progressive worldview is a direct result of their unparalleled access to information and their lived experiences with systemic inequality. At the same time, this constant exposure to global crises, the pressures of social media, and a lack of economic security has created a generation that is not only politically engaged but also emotionally and mentally overwhelmed.