Abstract

MENDOZA G, Elisa; DE LEON, Edilberto; MOREIRA, Pablo  and  ORTIZ, Melanie. Generation Z. Health effects associated with the use of technology. Revista Varianza [online]. 2021, n.18, pp. 34-49. ISSN 9876-6789.

Abstract The use of technologies is a transcendental issue in recent years, increasingly evident in all generations. Until now, it was affirmed that the new generations, particularly generation Z, were the population group with the highest consumption of technology, social networks and all the equipment and accessories that satisfy the need for continuous and permanent communication. Because of this, the question arises whether there are any health and behavioral effects of the use of technology in Generation Z compared to Generations X and Y. Therefore, an exploration is made to determine the differences in terms of the average time of use of the technology and its possible effects on health between the generational groups: Z (those born since 1996) and, X (1961-1980) and Y (1981-1995). The non-probabilistic sample responds to an electronic instrument, in which 273 university students participated. The analysis carried out corresponded to non-parametric statistical methods to determine the association between the variables of interest. Among the generational groups, the average time of use of the technologies did not show statistically significant differences; regarding health effects, anxiety was presented more frequently in generation Z (40%) compared to generations X and Y (34%); behavior very similar to sleep disorder 41% and 36%, respectively. It was also observed that around 50% of generation Z have eye problems

Keywords : Health disorders; Anxiety; Millennials; Generations Z; Social networks; Eye problems.