Key Takeways
Gen Zers often get dragged for being addicted to their screens… endlessly scrolling TikTok, watching eight-episode series in a single night, and tapping away on Discord between games.
There’s definitely some truth to it. It’s how Gen Z socializes, unwinds, and keeps up with the world. But is the young generation happy living up to the stereotype, or is digital fatigue starting to reshape how they spend their free time?
EduBirdie surveyed 2,000 Gen Zers on their favorite hobbies, how their screen time makes them feel, and what’s stopping them from disconnecting from their screens.
Gen Zers clock off work or school and log straight in – 83% admit they spend the majority of their free time online, scrolling, streaming, and socializing.
For many Gen Zers, their smartphones are practically an extension of their bodies and minds, and they can’t imagine life without them. In fact, 9% say nothing would be worse than a single day without their device. They would rather get sick, embarrass themselves in public, or lose something important.
There’s nothing Gen Zers enjoy more than spending time in front of a screen – watching films and shows (69%), scrolling social media (64%), and playing video games (58%).
But they’re not living their entire lives online. There’s a growing trend towards ‘analog hobbies’ – the stuff oldies did for fun back in the day. Some 50% enjoy creative activities, for instance, while 48% have taken up cooking, and 36% even spend time in the great outdoors.
What’s driving the trend? A growing detachment from the digital world.
With 62% of Gen Zers regularly experiencing boredom, and 15% feeling it all the time, many are choosing to log off and find ways to occupy themselves IRL instead.
For 61% of Gen Zers, screen time notifications aren’t helpful reminders to take a break. They’re straight up triggers, with 20% admitting it makes them feel guilty and stressed.
For Gen Z, digital exhaustion is driving many away from their devices… but having grown up online, unplugging isn’t easy.
Pulling it off, though? That’s such a flex – 23% say cutting back on screen time is a clear status symbol, while another 37% admit it leaves them somewhat impressed.
Gen Z is rejecting digital living. They want to get out and do more, and they’d like a special someone to share the experience with – 27% having started a new hobby just to up their chances of finding love.
Many Gen Zers see no harm in giving their hobbies a glow-up.
Some 41% admit they’ve lied about their hobbies to make a good impression, with 23% having bent the truth during a job interview and 21% guilty of telling little white lies while on a date.
For most Gen Zers, shared hobbies are vital to a lasting relationship – 20% believe couples need to share hobbies to stay compatible, and 53% somewhat agree.
Having no hobbies at all? That’s a major red flag for 52% of Gen Zers. How do you even get through the first date if you have nothing to bond over – let alone a whole lifetime together?
Hobbies are a must-have, and Gen Zers know exactly what they’re looking for.
There’s nothing sexier than someone who spends time outdoors (37%), while playing sports (36%) is pretty hot, too.
For those who prefer to stay inside, creative pursuits (34%) are definitely a turn-on, while reading (33%) and gaming (31%) also get hearts racing.
Gen Z is known for its open-mindedness, and most are generally accepting of others’ interests (no matter how quirky), with 33% insisting that no hobbies are cringe…
But even for this laid-back generation, there are hard limits.
Some 27% say astrology, tarot, and spirituality give them the ick, while 26% say there’s a line between sports interest and sports obsession that nobody should cross. Likewise, for 22% of Gen Z, grandma hobbies – knitting, gardening, and doing crosswords – get a hard pass.
Fun is expensive: 22% have given up a pastime because they couldn’t afford it, while 28% say time and money have stopped them from doing something they enjoy.
Rather than a genuine interest, for Gen Z, screen time might just be a cheap way to stay entertained.
With new games to buy and books to read, a constant need for craft supplies, and event tickets taking up what’s left over, Gen Z’s hobby budget doesn’t stretch very far – 23% have just $50 a month to spend and 30% can push to $100 max, while 17% don’t have a single dime to spare.
However, 45% have a plan to put a little extra cash in their pockets: turning their hobby into a hustle.
A passion for fitness could kickstart a career as a personal trainer, or a love for baking could spark a small food business. There’s always a way to turn interest into income – and 12% have already made the jump.
It’s entirely possible to do what you love and get paid for it – 35% already have – and with a little less time spent scrolling mindlessly, anyone can learn new skills, pursue new interests, and turn their passion into a paycheck.
