Algorithmic Anxiety in Gen Z and Gen Alpha: A Psychologist’s Perspective

Dr. Manju Antil
Assistant Professor of Psychology, School of Behavioural Sciences, Apeejay Stya University
Founder, Wellnessnetic Care

Have you ever wondered why, despite endless scrolling on Instagram or YouTube, you sometimes feel more uneasy than entertained? Why does your heart race when a post doesn’t get “enough likes,” or why do you feel restless when your feed suggests you’re “missing out”? As a psychologist and as someone who closely observes young minds in classrooms and counselling rooms, I see this pattern recurring. What you are experiencing is not mere stress—it is something I call Algorithmic Anxiety.

What is Algorithmic Anxiety?

Imagine this: every tap, like, pause, or scroll is silently recorded. Behind the screen, sophisticated algorithms are decoding your preferences, curating your feed, and subtly influencing your emotions. This invisible process—though designed for convenience—creates a psychological trap.

For Gen Z and Gen Alpha, who have grown up in a digital ecosystem, the anxiety does not arise from what they are watching, but from how the algorithm decides what they should watch next. This loss of autonomy over choice and the constant unpredictability of online interactions produce a unique form of anxiety—one that is cognitive, emotional, and deeply existential.

A Case Study: Aarav’s Restless Nights

Aarav, a 19-year-old student I met during counselling, shared how he couldn’t stop refreshing his Instagram explore page. He said, “It feels like the app knows me better than I know myself. But at the same time, I feel trapped—like I’m losing control of my own thoughts.”

Aarav reported increased irritability, trouble sleeping, and a constant sense of “being left behind.” Notice how the distress here is not about content itself, but about the power the algorithm seems to hold over his sense of identity and belonging. His story mirrors the silent struggles of countless young users who feel watched, predicted, and nudged by invisible digital forces.

Why This Anxiety is Unique to Gen Z & Alpha

As a psychologist and an educator, I have observed that Gen Z and Gen Alpha are not merely users of technology—they are immersed in it from early childhood. Unlike older generations who can recall a pre-digital life, these cohorts perceive algorithmic engagement as an extension of their selfhood.

However, the paradox lies here:

The algorithm promises personalization, yet induces comparison, inadequacy, and compulsive checking.
The algorithm assures connectivity, yet fosters loneliness when expectations of validation are not met.
The algorithm offers entertainment, yet erodes attention spans and triggers guilt over wasted time.

This paradox is at the heart of algorithmic anxiety.

Psychological Insights

From a cognitive-behavioral lens, algorithmic anxiety thrives on the reinforcement loop. Every unpredictable notification or new recommendation acts like a “Skinner Box,” where the young user becomes both participant and subject in a grand experiment of intermittent rewards. From a psychodynamic lens, the algorithm even becomes an “invisible other,” shaping unconscious desires and fears of abandonment.

When I explain this to my students, their eyes widen in recognition—suddenly they realize it is not their fault that they are hooked, but rather a sophisticated system designed to capture their attention. This insight itself is therapeutic, because awareness loosens the grip of anxiety.

A Psychoeducational Module for Gen Z & Alpha

In my teaching and counselling practice, I often integrate psychoeducation so that young learners don’t just “feel anxious” but also understand why they feel this way. For algorithmic anxiety, here’s a framework I propose:

Awareness: Helping students recognize algorithmic patterns—why does YouTube recommend what it does? Why do TikTok loops never end?
Reflection: Journaling or group discussions on “How did my mood change after scrolling?” to increase meta-cognition.
Critical Thinking: Teaching them digital literacy—algorithms are not omnipotent; they are coded systems that can be challenged.
Mindful Disruption: Setting intentional breaks—digital sabbaths, screen-free zones, or mindful scrolling practices.
Reclaiming Agency: Encouraging them to choose content consciously, follow creators who inspire rather than compare, and even re-train the algorithm through deliberate searches.

Moving Forward

As I reflect on my dual role—as a psychologist and as an assistant professor—I see algorithmic anxiety not as a passing trend but as a generational mental health concern. If left unaddressed, it could redefine how Gen Z and Gen Alpha form identities, manage emotions, and build relationships.

But the solution is not rejection of technology; it is conscious engagement. The more we teach young minds to decode the invisible forces behind their screens, the more empowered they become to reclaim their psychological space.

So next time your feed feels overwhelming, pause and ask yourself: “Is this my choice—or the algorithm’s?” That simple question may be the first step to freedom.