A McKinsey study found that Gen Z in Indonesia checks their smartphones an average of 82 times a day—higher than their peers in India (70 times), Viet Nam (65), the Philippines (60), and Thailand (55)—highlighting a growing digital dependency that outpaces the rest of Asia.
This behavior suggests that smartphones have become central to daily life for Indonesian youth, not only as tools for communication and information but also as platforms for entertainment, learning, and emotional escape.
As mobile internet access expands and app ecosystems deepen, physical spaces are increasingly being replaced by digital alternatives, where Gen Z works, socializes, and finds relief from real-world pressures, contributing to a redefinition of social interaction and personal space.
Yet, this constant connection raises concerns about mental health, particularly in terms of screen fatigue, reduced attention spans, and the difficulty of disconnecting, especially when the digital world becomes both a necessity and a comfort zone.
In a world where a notification can disrupt any moment, one key question remains: when was the last time this generation was fully present—undistracted, offline, and grounded in the physical here and now?
