Is Health Anxiety Increasing Among Gen Z Because of Constant Medical Information Online?

[Shree]

Teens now access endless health-related content, sometimes leading to fixation on symptoms or fear of rare conditions. When does curiosity cross into health anxiety? What helps teens assess information without spiraling into fear?

 

[Hazel]

There’s a real chance it’s rising. Gen Z is growing up with nonstop access to symptoms, diagnoses, and personal health stories, which can make normal discomfort feel alarming. The mix of social feeds, algorithm-pushed medical content, and easy self-diagnosis can heighten worry. There is also a challenge in finding reliable sources and learning when to unplug so online information supports rather than overwhelms.