{"id":8239,"date":"2026-04-09T14:40:31","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T14:40:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/?p=8239"},"modified":"2026-04-09T16:15:43","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T16:15:43","slug":"how-gen-zers-spend-their-free-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edubirdie.com\/blog\/how-gen-zers-spend-their-free-time","title":{"rendered":"Logging in and Leveling Up: How Gen Zers Spend Their Free Time"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"How<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
Key Takeways<\/div>\n
\n
    \n
  • Screens dominate Gen Z\u2019s free time, with 83% spending most of it online, watching films and shows (69%), scrolling social media (64%), and playing games (58%).<\/li>
  • However, Gen Z is suffering from digital fatigue, with 61% admitting screen time notifications cause them stress and guilt, and 60% seeing reduced usage as a status symbol.<\/li>
  • Some 27% of Gen Zers have taken up a new hobby to improve their dating prospects, with outdoor activities (37%), sports (36%), and creative pursuits (34%) the interests they find most attractive.<\/li>
  • Many want to spend less time online, but finances hold them back, with 50% having given up an interest due to cost, and 17% admitting they have $0 to spend on hobbies.<\/li> <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/span><\/p>\n

    Gen Zers often get dragged for being addicted to their screens\u2026 endlessly scrolling TikTok, watching eight-episode series in a single night, and tapping away on Discord between games.<\/p>\n

    There\u2019s definitely some truth to it. It\u2019s 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?<\/p>\n

    EduBirdie surveyed 2,000 Gen Zers on their favorite hobbies, how their screen time makes them feel, and what\u2019s stopping them from disconnecting from their screens.<\/p>\n

    <\/span>Gaming, Gramming, and Bingeing: The most popular Gen Z hobbies<\/span><\/h2>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Gen Zers clock off work or school and log straight in \u2013 83% admit they spend the majority of their free time online, scrolling, streaming, and socializing.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    For many Gen Zers, their smartphones are practically an extension of their bodies and minds, and they can\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    There\u2019s nothing Gen Zers enjoy more than spending time in front of a screen \u2013 watching films and shows (69%), scrolling social media (64%), and playing video games (58%).<\/p>\n

    But they\u2019re not living their entire lives online. There\u2019s a growing trend towards \u2018analog hobbies\u2019 \u2013 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.<\/p>\n

    <\/span>Digital Disconnect: Are Screens Losing Their Hold on Gen Z?<\/span><\/h2>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    What\u2019s driving the trend? A growing detachment from the digital world.<\/p>\n

    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.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    For 61% of Gen Zers, screen time notifications aren\u2019t helpful reminders to take a break. They\u2019re straight up triggers, with 20% admitting it makes them feel guilty and stressed.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    For Gen Z, digital exhaustion is driving many away from their devices\u2026 but having grown up online, unplugging isn\u2019t easy.<\/p>\n

    Pulling it off, though? That\u2019s such a flex \u2013 23% say cutting back on screen time is a clear status symbol, while another 37% admit it leaves them somewhat impressed.<\/p>\n

    <\/span>Trying (or Lying): Is Gen Z Taking on New Hobbies?<\/span><\/h2>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Gen Z is rejecting digital living. They want to get out and do more, and they\u2019d like a special someone to share the experience with \u2013 27% having started a new hobby just to up their chances of finding love.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Many Gen Zers see no harm in giving their hobbies a glow-up.<\/p>\n

    Some 41% admit they\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n

    <\/span>Vibe Check: Which Hobbies Does Gen Z Swipe Right on?<\/span><\/h2>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    For most Gen Zers, shared hobbies are vital to a lasting relationship \u2013 20% believe couples need to share hobbies to stay compatible, and 53% somewhat agree.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Having no hobbies at all? That\u2019s 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 \u2013 let alone a whole lifetime together?<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Hobbies are a must-have, and Gen Zers know exactly what they\u2019re looking for.<\/p>\n

    There\u2019s nothing sexier than someone who spends time outdoors (37%), while playing sports (36%) is pretty hot, too.<\/p>\n

    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.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Gen Z is known for its open-mindedness, and most are generally accepting of others\u2019 interests (no matter how quirky), with 33% insisting that no hobbies are cringe\u2026<\/p>\n

    But even for this laid-back generation, there are hard limits.<\/p>\n

    Some 27% say astrology, tarot, and spirituality give them the ick, while 26% say there\u2019s a line between sports interest and sports obsession that nobody should cross. Likewise, for 22% of Gen Z, grandma hobbies \u2013 knitting, gardening, and doing crosswords \u2013 get a hard pass.<\/p>\n

    <\/span>Big Interests, Low Budgets: How Finances Affect Gen Z Hobbies<\/span><\/h2>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Fun is expensive: 22% have given up a pastime because they couldn\u2019t afford it, while 28% say time and money have stopped them from doing something they enjoy.<\/p>\n

    Rather than a genuine interest, for Gen Z, screen time might just be a cheap way to stay entertained.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    With new games to buy and books to read, a constant need for craft supplies, and event tickets taking up what\u2019s left over, Gen Z\u2019s hobby budget doesn\u2019t stretch very far \u2013 23% have just $50 a month to spend and 30% can push to $100 max, while 17% don\u2019t have a single dime to spare.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    However, 45% have a plan to put a little extra cash in their pockets: turning their hobby into a hustle.<\/p>\n

    A passion for fitness could kickstart a career as a personal trainer, or a love for baking could spark a small food business. There\u2019s always a way to turn interest into income \u2013 and 12% have already made the jump.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    It\u2019s entirely possible to do what you love and get paid for it \u2013 35% already have \u2013 and with a little less time spent scrolling mindlessly, anyone can learn new skills, pursue new interests, and turn their passion into a paycheck.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Gen Zers often get dragged for being addicted to their screens\u2026 endlessly scrolling TikTok, watching eight-episode series in a single night, and tapping away on Discord between games. There\u2019s definitely some truth to it. It\u2019s how Gen Z socializes, unwinds, and keeps up with the world. But is the young generation happy living up […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":31,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"entity":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow Gen Zers Spend Their Free Time<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Gen Z spends most free time online, but digital fatigue is rising. 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