'Alarming' report shows many of Gen Z find real conversations 'boring'

A recent study has revealed that three quarts of find it challenging to stay focused during face-to-face conversations, often resorting to their phone after just over two minutes. The survey, which involved 2,000 young adults aged between 18 and 28, explored how and excessive phone use are impacting attention spans, real-world interactions, and

The research, commissioned by AXA UK for its annual found that 39% of young adults feel a "strong urge" to check their phones during conversations. Major distractions included checking messages and browsing social media, with notifications incredibly hard to ignore.

Psychologist and broadcaster Dr. Linda Papadopoulos commented on the results, stating, “We’re seeing a generation that’s more connected than ever, yet lonelier and more anxious.

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"Constant notifications, endless scrolling, and the pressure to be ‘always on’ are overstimulating their nervous systems and fragmenting their attention spans."

A staggering 38% of participants find face-to-face chats "boring," with a 63% confessing they find it hard to deal with in-person interactions. As a result, a significant number turn to their phones as a form of escapism, especially during social gatherings, when they're catching up with friends, and even when they're speaking to their parents.

For some, their high dependence on means they feel uncomfortable when they don't have it with them, and for 28% this can trigger significant anxiety.

The report emphasised that over half of the young adults feel pressured to respond to messages instantly, even when they don’t want to, highlighting the strain being constantly connected places on . Dr. Papadopoulos even said some of her patients wake up in the middle of the night to check notifications.

While, one in five Gen Z adults say they struggle with focus and productivity as a direct result of heavy phone use, most pointed to social media as a key cause of low mental wellbeing.

For a third of respondents, comparing their appearance to others online has negatively affected their self-esteem, while scrolling before bed has impacted mental health for another 33%.

Tara Foley, CEO of AXA UK & Ireland, expressed her concerns, saying, "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.

“It’s unsurprising so many parents are worried about the impact phone use could be having on their children.”

Interestingly, only 14% of those grappling with mental health issues would seek help from a professional, while most would confide in a friend (37%) or partner (31%). Alarmingly, another 14% revealed they had no one to talk to.

Despite these worries, some youngsters are taking proactive steps. Over half (56%) have consciously taken breaks from social media or phone use to better their mental health, a move experts believe is heading in the right direction.

Dr Linda Papadopoulos said: “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."

Foley further commented: "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."