Half of Gen Zers admit that they hide their true personality when not on social media.
A study has found that a shocking 58 percent of 18-25s feel less comfortable in their own skin in the real world than online.
Youths reported a mixture of reasons behind this feeling, with 55 percent saying they struggle with a lack of confidence outside the virtual world.
42 percent also reported worrying about judgment from others as a key factor.
A further half of those surveyed confessed to having a ‘secret’ online alter-ego, while 55 percent admitted they use social media to make their lives seem more exciting.
Instagram, Facebook and TikTok were named as the platforms where young people feel most comfortable being themselves.
Public figures also have a significant role to play in helping the young become more self-confident, with two-thirds of Gen Z saying they have been positively influenced by a celeb.
Harry Styles, Zendaya and David Bowie top the 20-strong list of major celebrity influencers.
Scott Morris, the Adobe marketing exec who unveiled the study, called Bowie “A true icon who crucially believed that art is inherent in everyone”.
Just under half said that being comfortable in your own skin is something that comes with age and 59 percent reckoned that they’ll one day look back on their younger self and wish they had been more comfortable with who they were.
However, hope is not lost for the young, as 70 percent believe society is on the right path to breaking down all barriers to become more self-expressive and authentic in the future.
This story originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced here with permission.