Last week, 16-year-old Jahnvi Savla tragically lost her life while trying to capture the perfect sunset shot. It got us thinking: Is a generation glued to their screens slipping through the cracks?
Nineteen-year-old Shlok Chakravarthy can almost always be found with headphones over his ears, blasting rock or rap in the background. In public, however, he notes that his headphones are never on noise-cancelling mode, and the volume’s always low. Pic/Satej Shinde
Last week, a teenage girl tragically lost her life after falling from the terrace of a seven-storey building in Dahisar East. Sixteen-year-old Jahnvi Savla, a Grade 10 student, had been taking an evening walk with her father when she decided to go to the terrace of their building to photograph the sunset. In an attempt to get the perfect shot, she sat on the boundary wall, only to lose her balance and fall to the ground floor.
Jahnvi’s death is not an isolated incident. In 2023, a 15-year-old girl in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, died after falling from the fourth-floor terrace of her house while attempting a selfie. According to police, she had leaned back on the railing to capture a better angle and lost her balance.
These heartbreaking episodes are part of a larger and deeply troubling pattern that speaks to Gen Z’s fraught relationship with their phones. According to the BePresent 2024 Digital Wellness Report, 83 per cent of Gen Z individuals admit to having an unhealthy relationship with their phones. The results of this digital dependency led to poor mental health, sleep issues, a dip in productivity, and, in tragic cases like Jahnvi’s, irreparable loss.
Though Mehak Jolly has never been one to chase the perfect shot, or “do it for the gram”, she does love taking pictures of sunsets, pretty flowers, festivals, and well-lit streets
Earlier this year, 16-year-old Aman Shahoo from Thane died by suicide after his parents confiscated his mobile phone in an effort to curb his gaming addiction and push him to focus on his studies. Just last week, in Uttar Pradesh, two sisters aged 17 and 15 allegedly ended their lives after being scolded by their father for using a phone.
These incidents are chilling reminders of how deeply embedded smartphones, and the lives we curate on them, have become in Gen Z’s identity. For many of us, if a moment isn’t captured, it’s as though it never happened. “Pics or it didn’t happen” isn’t just a meme anymore; it’s a cultural mindset that is manifesting in real-time.
“I’ve never considered myself photogenic, so I’ve never been big on getting pictures clicked,” says Mehak Jolly, a postgraduate student of International Relations at King’s College London. “That being said, I do love taking pictures of sunsets, pretty flowers, and well-lit streets.”
For many of us, sunsets, concerts, even grief, are documented first and felt second. A crying session might not be complete without taking a quick selfie. Social media platforms like Instagram have gamified everyday life. The pressure to constantly “do it for the ’Gram” has become almost subconscious for most of us.
But for Jolly, the pursuit of “the perfect shot” has never taken precedence over reality. “I’ve had friends who plan hangouts just to take photos for Instagram,” she says, with a sigh. On a recent trip around the UK, one such friend came dangerously close to the edge of a ditch while attempting to capture a sunset photo. “It was so concerning, but she was determined to get the picture.”
This pressure to document everything stems from a deeper anxiety. “If I don’t record it, how will I remember it?” is a question many of us grapple with. Jolly admits that while she doesn’t believe memories disappear without photos, there are moments, like birthdays, when she wishes she had taken more pictures, if only to celebrate her loved ones more publicly.
“I like posting on Instagram occasionally, but it’s not an obsession,” she adds. “Influencer culture has convinced us that the perfect fit, the perfect sunset, the viral dance, all need to be captured. But that should not come at the cost of your safety.”
However Gen Z’s relationship with their phones extends far beyond Instagram. According to Exploding Topics — a platform that analyses emerging trends and market opportunities — three in four Gen Z say they spend too much time on their devices, with average daily use nearing six hours. They’re often seen with noise-cancelling headphones on, scrolling, gaming, or texting, whether at home or in public.
Take 19-year-old Shlok Chakravarthy, a BTech student at the Manipal Institute of Technology. He’s almost always plugged in, headphones over his ears, listening to rock or rap. “Some of these songs make me feel like I’m a movie character,” he says with a laugh. “I don’t leave the house without my headphones; they make me feel as though I have a soundtrack to my life.”
Chakravarthy, known for his screen habits, has an average daily screen time of about five hours. Whether it’s doom scrolling through reels on Instagram or racking up high scores on games like Colour Switch, Chess, Sudoku, and Ball Blast, he admits his phone rarely leaves his hand. “I’ve reached level 6000 in Ball Blast and was ranked No 3 in the world for Sawblades,” he says proudly.
According to a recent CyberMedia Research (CMR) survey, 74 per cent of Gen Z users spend at least six hours a day gaming on their phones. While 72 per cent cite entertainment as the main reason, others say it’s for mental agility and socialising.
Chakravarthy says boredom is the primary driver. “I play these games because I’m bored most of the time. Whether I’m sitting in class, on a train, or stuck at a party I want to leave, these games are like side quests. They give me a dopamine rush.”
This constant pursuit of digital stimulation has also been described as part of a wider “boredom epidemic” among Gen Z. A Behave UK study notes that many young people now frame boredom as a kind of lifestyle choice, an attempt to reclaim control in an uncertain world shaped by economic instability and social pressure. It’s less about doing nothing, and more about trying to cope with a reality that feels limited.
Chakravarthy also exercises caution. “In public, my headphones are never on noise-cancelling mode, and the volume’s always low,” he says. “And I would never be on my phone in a way that risks my safety in public. Sure, I’ll reply to a text if I get one, but I’m not going to cross a road while watching a reel or playing a game.”
‘Phones take over your senses, leaving your body inactive’
Chirag Salvi, Martial Arts Coach
In martial arts, every move is instinctive — you don’t have the luxury of time. You either react or get hit,” says Chirag Salvi, a martial arts coach and founder of Battle Fit Academy. “Your body learns to respond before your brain even catches up. That kind of reflex is built through discipline, not devices. “Salvi, who has a Master’s in Physical Education and was Mumbai University’s “Best Athlete” for two years in a row, says phone addiction is dulling that very instinct. “Reflexes fade when not trained. Phones absorb your eyes and ears — the two key sensory organs — leaving the rest of your body inactive. That’s how accidents happen. You don’t see or hear what’s coming.”
According to Chirag Salvi, martial arts teaches awareness, and that awareness spills over into everyday life — whether it’s crossing a street, riding a bike, or simply walking without bumping into people. Pic/Atul Kamble
He’s seen the effects first-hand. “A lot of kids come to us addicted to screens. But the moment they enter the ring, they get a reality check. You realise quickly that unlike PUBG, real-life punches hurt. Martial arts teaches awareness, and that awareness spills over into everyday life — whether it’s crossing a street, riding a bike, or simply walking without bumping into people.” Beyond physical strength, Salvi emphasises the neurological benefits of movement. “The frontal lobe, which controls motor skills and attention, develops through physical activity. That’s how you sharpen reflexes. You don’t teach them — you hone them.”
For Gen Z, constantly plugged into screens, he warns of long-term damage. “Too much screen time at a crucial age can stunt memory and behavioural development. We advise parents to keep kids away from phones till age five, minimum.” His personal takeaway is, “Phones train passivity. Martial arts train instinct. If you want to survive in the real world and not just scroll through it, you need to wake up your body.” And what better way to wake it up other than physical training.
‘There’s so much content, your brain doesn’t get a chance to look away’
Jaison Lewis, In-house Tech Expert
“It’s not just spatial awareness, but the kind of attention phones demand from us that’s the real issue,” says Jaison Lewis, our in-house tech expert and columnist. “Apps are designed to keep you hooked. There’s so much content, your brain doesn’t even get a chance to look away.”
According to Lewis, this isn’t exclusive to Gen Z, but they are among the most affected. “Gen Z has grown up with smartphones. It rewires the reward system in their brains. Every ping, every notification gives you something — content, a message, a dopamine hit. It becomes a loop. You’re constantly drawn to the phone and away from your surroundings.”
This lack of environmental awareness, he says, is part design and part habit. “Everything on a phone is built to grab your attention — even the notification tone. You’re not just checking a message, you’re entering a vortex.”
Can tech be redesigned to help? Lewis thinks it’s possible, but not profitable. “Some developers are creating minimalist phones that don’t scream for attention, but they’re niche. Big companies won’t give up user engagement because that’s what drives revenue.”
Lewis’ advice to Gen Z is to shift to smaller devices like a smartwatch. “You can get your notifications without unlocking your phone. Use ‘Do Not Disturb,’ take digital detoxes, and try phone-locking apps that limit usage. Some even restrict your phone to basic functions.”
But ultimately, he believes the solution lies within. “You have to make that conscious choice to step away. Tech won’t stop pulling you in unless you learn to push back. It’s on you.”
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