The Silent Struggles of Gen Z: What Young People Are Really Facing in 2025
- martinagvisionfact
- Sep 30
- 4 min read
Author: Lorena Milanović
When people think of Generation Z, they often imagine a generation glued to their smartphones and other digital devices, making TikToks, Instagram posts, and following the latest trends. But behind the hashtags and memes lies a more serious reality that most older generations don't understand. Young people today are facing unique challenges that older generations didn't face when they were young.
It can be said that it is precisely because of the digitalized lifestyle that everything is available to young people, the internet mostly shows perfect lives, young people who have already achieved everything, but sometimes that is not the real world. That is why young people today struggle with mental health to a greater extent, experience financial stress and bear the burden of an uncertain future. Generation Z is quietly carrying struggles that deserve more attention. Let's take a closer look at what the lives of young people really look like in 2025. Youth Mental Health CrisisGeneration Z is struggling with mental health, with anxiety and depression rates continuing to rise. The culprit is the pressure of social media, where everyone seems happier, better, more beautiful and more successful, and young people feel burdened when they see it because they are considered less valuable. Many young people don't know how to socialize, much less visit each other because they socialize by using, for example, WhatsApp for correspondence or FaceTime. This creates a feeling of isolation for them even though they are constantly "connected". Watching TikTok, Instagram or any other social network with endless posts creates the illusion of togetherness, and at the same time encourages comparison and self-doubt. But the good news is that Generation Z is more accepting of professional help, seeking therapy.
For most young people, money is a daily stress point. The cost of living is increasing day by day - rent, groceries, utilities and even basic services are more expensive than ever. Unlike older generations who were able to afford houses in their twenties, start a family and find a job they love, many members of Generation Z are struggling to save just a small emergency fund. Inflation makes it difficult to plan for the future.
The Challenge of the Job Market: Experience versus Skills
Finding a stable job in your field is also a big challenge. Why? Most often, it's because employers are looking for experience, and this raises the key question: how do you gain experience if no one gives you a chance? At the same time, we are witnessing the rise of artificial intelligence and automation is rapidly increasing, and this is greatly affecting the way industries work. Jobs that you once believed would survive are now at risk of extinction, to be replaced by a machine. Young people today must be competitive and desirable to employers, and they achieve this by constantly improving and quickly adapting. Although this creates opportunities, it also puts enormous pressure. Social Media and Identity PressureSocial media is as good as it is bad for Gen Z. On the one hand, it allows them to express themselves, connect globally and even build careers. On the other hand, it creates a lot of pressure on identity. Frequent exposure to “perfect” lives online leads to virtual violence, body image issues, and the feeling that you are never good enough. The boundary between the real and online worlds has almost disappeared, and self-esteem is reflected in the number of likes on social media, how many people follow you, and the comments your posts receive.
Climate Anxiety: The Future Seems Uncertain
Climate anxiety is also another thing that today’s generations are facing. Why is that? Generation Z grew up in an environment where they heard about rising sea levels, wildfires, global warming, and many other climate disasters. Now, as adults, they feel anxious about the future. They carry the constant burden of worrying about what the future of this planet will be like, which of course affects not only their worldview but also their mental health. For some, climate concerns shape career choices and life decisions, pushing them towards sustainability and activism.
How Gen Z Is Fighting Back
Although they face great challenges, they are a generation of fighters and innovators. Young people today are working on themselves and their mental health in many ways, including therapy and digital detox. They are leading climate marches, starting small businesses and creating new forms of online activism. Instead of hiding their problems, they express themselves publicly, which helps break the stigma for others.
Final Thoughts
That young people today are facing mental health issues, financial hardships, climate concerns and social pressures in society more than ever before. However, we are witnessing how this generation is contributing a lot to a better tomorrow, perseverance is one of the virtues of this generation. They are facing difficulties, but they are also looking for new ways to face them, adapt and try to build a future on their own terms, at all costs they are fighting for a better tomorrow. Older generations should listen to their voices, encourage them and empower their well-being. The important message of this blog is that accepting their challenges is not only supporting Generation Z, but it also means building a healthier and more sustainable future for all of us, and that is what is most important. We should try to make this world a better and safer place for future generations.
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