The modern world is built to keep you addicted. Social media, short form entertainment, caffeine, alcohol, sports gambling, and even harmful drugs disguised as harmless fun with vapes and zyns. These industries rely on our generation being reliant on them so they thrive off of our bad habits.
Although older generations typically think of teenagers as weak and slaves to modern vices, Gen Z is combating addiction better than any generation before by replacing destructive habits with self improvement and discipline through “lock in” culture.
Gen Z grew up inside the system, we’ve never known a world without screens and widespread advertised drugs targeted at young people. Avoiding addiction from the start was never an option for us. Instead, fighting back and resisting are the only ways to not fall into the cycle.
Social media, especially Instagram and TikTok, have recently been pushing self improvement and physical health as hobbies and crutches in hard times rather than the other common and harmful vices.
People like Tristan and Andrew Tate, Sam Sulek, Dr. Mike, and countless other self improvement influencers, have been pushing eating healthy, going to the gym, and quitting addictions that waste time. These have turned into memes, but they aren’t always treated like jokes, it has an effect on the generation.
I have personally seen a few of my friends’ lives take turns for the better after going through rough times, alcoholism and other addictions putting them in low places. After turning to the gym, daily routines, and eating healthy, both of them are visibly stronger, healthier, and happier.
One friend (who will stay anonymous for the sensitivity of this general topic) even mentioned one reason for working out everyday was seeing Andrew Tate clips on their reels. Even though people laugh at those videos, when he was in dark places, it actually gave him positive motivation to turn his life around.
It’s even a proven fact that Gen Z is less addicted to substances than previous generations, young adults in 2024 abuse alcohol almost 4% less than the same age group did 20 years ago. 73% of Gen Z also use a gym or health club membership, much higher than 42% of boomers. This has to be related to trends, the “lock in” culture is encouraged widely among the young generation and is promoted heavily through social media.
Gen Z is fighting back against addiction better than any generation before because they are prioritizing personal wellbeing above all else.
