The Doubt Generation: Gen Z’s Struggle With Instinct in a Digital World

Gen Z has been labeled the “Anxious Generation,” but new research suggests their defining trait may be doubt. With only 19% trusting their own instincts compared to older adults, today’s young Americans are growing up in a digital world that feels fragmented, curated, and often unreliable. Social media’s influence is just part of the story—AI advisors, altered images, and algorithm-driven realities have shaped a generation that expects skepticism, not certainty. As states move forward with age-verification laws, the real challenge may be deeper: teaching younger generations to think critically, trust their instincts, and navigate truth in an always-on world.