Digital Wellbeing 2025 is a national UK study exploring the impact that social media use has on the wellbeing of Gen Z. The study asked 1000 participants aged 16–24 from across the UK a series of questions relating to the way that their social media use affects them. Important topics such as cyberbullying, mental health, body image, social comparisons, negative news consumption, social media addiction, and many more were explored as part of the research project.
15
16-24
1000
UK
To what extent is your sleep positively or negatively impacted by the amount of time you spend online?
48% of respondents indicated that their sleep had been negatively impacted by the amount of time they spent online.
To what extent is your diet positively or negatively impacted by the amount of time you spend online?
25% of respondents indicated that their diet had been negatively impacted by the amount of time they spent online.
To what extent is your exercise routine positively or negatively impacted by the amount of time you spend online?
25% of respondents indicated that their exercise had been negatively impacted by the amount of time they spent online.
To what extent is your study positively or negatively impacted by the amount of time you spend online?
36% of respondents indicated that their study had been negatively impacted by the amount of time they spent online.
How often, if ever, has your social media use negatively affected your mental health?
87% of respondents indicated that social media had negatively affected their mental health.
How often, if ever, has your social media use negatively affected your physical health?
73% of respondents indicated that social media had negatively affected their physical health.
How often, if ever, has social media negatively affected the way you feel about your own body?
82% of respondents indicated that social media had negatively affected the way they feel about their own body.
Has social media ever made you want to permanently change a part of your body through surgery?
38% of respondents indicated that social media had made them want to permanently change a part of their body through surgery.
How often, if ever, has any content on social media made you feel pressured to be perfect?
83% of respondents indicated that content on social media had made them feel pressured to be perfect.
How often, if ever, have you felt unsatisfied with your life when comparing it to others on social media?
85% of respondents indicated that they felt unsatisfied with their life when comparing it to others on social media.
How often, if ever, have you been cyberbullied or abused online?
58% of respondents indicated that they had been cyberbullied or abused on social media.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: I feel addicted to bad news online
31% of respondents indicated that they felt addicted to bad news online.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: I feel safe to share my opinions and views online
27% of respondents indicated that they didn't feel safe to share their opinions and views online.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: I am worried that I have a social media addiction
45% of respondents indicated that they were worried they have an addiction to social media.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: I feel better when I spend less time on social media
53% of respondents indicated that they felt better when they spent less time on social media.
“Digital Wellbeing 2025 highlights the significant impact of social media on our health as well as our physical, mental, emotional, and social wellbeing. The survey reiterates the negative effects that time online can have on our body image, sleep patterns, self-esteem, and our ability to express ourselves authentically.”
Cybersmile Advisory Panel
Overview
Key takeaways
- 58% had been cyberbullied or abused online.
- 38% said social media made them want to permanently change their body through surgery.
- 83% said content on social media made them feel pressured to be perfect.
- 82% said social media negatively affects the way they feel about their own bodies.
- 87% said social media negatively affects their mental health.
- 73% said social media negatively affects their physical health.
- 85% felt unsatisfied with their life when comparing it to others on social media.
- 31% felt addicted to bad news online.
- 27% didn't feel safe to share their opinions and views online.
- 45% were worried they had an addiction to social media.
- 53% felt better when they spent less time on social media.
- 48% said their sleep is negatively impacted by the amount of time they spend online.
- 25% said their diet is negatively impacted by the amount of time they spend online.
- 25% said their exercise is negatively impacted by the amount of time they spend online.
- 36% said their study is negatively impacted by the amount of time they spend online.
- 62% of women had been cyberbullied or abused online compared to 55% of men.
- 51% of women said social media made them want to permanently change their body through surgery compared to 25% of men.
- 91% of women said content on social media made them feel pressured to be perfect compared to 75% of men.
- 91% of women said social media negatively affects their mental health compared to 83% of men.
- 91% of women felt unsatisfied with their life when comparing it to others on social media, compared to 81% of men.
- 33% of women didn't feel safe to share their opinions and views online compared to 21% of men.
Method
The research was conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Cybersmile across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland with 1000 general respondents (aged 16-24) between 21.05.2025 and 23.05.2025. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of The British Polling Council.
Citation
The Cybersmile Foundation (2025). Digital Wellbeing Report (2025): A national UK study examining the impact of social media use on Gen Z wellbeing.