Young people from generations Z and Alpha are increasingly leaving…
Young people from generations Z and Alpha are increasingly leaving traditional social media for virtual role-playing games, seeking more authentic interactions and identity exploration in immersive online environments. This shift is driven by fatigue with advertising, idealized images, and the loss of community function in mainstream platforms.
Consensus
- Traditional social networks are losing their status as the primary communication platform for youth.
- Young people from generations Z and Alpha are migrating to virtual role-playing games.
- This migration is driven by fatigue with advertising, 'banner blindness,' and idealized images on social media.
- Virtual role-playing games offer users the ability to influence their environment, build relationships, and develop reputations.
- The platform Grand Mobile has 6 million daily active users engaging in virtual lives.
- Psychologists note that virtual worlds can be a safe space for identity exploration but pose risks if they become the sole refuge from anxiety or real-life conflicts.
- Parents should focus on their children's overall well-being—sleep, appetite, and emotional regulation—not just screen time.
- Brands are increasingly entering virtual game spaces through digital banking services, quests, ATMs, and virtual goods.
Points of divergence
- Zumers (Generation Z) have started visiting churches more often to find friends and relationships, a trend observed in the US but now also present in Russia. — m24
- The reason for increased church attendance is that people there are oriented toward similar values and seek spiritual purity. — m24
Coverage (2 sources)
- Generation Z and Alpha are leaving social networks for gaming communities — РИАМО
- Эксперт Язовский: молодежь предпочитает соцсетям виртуальные ролевые игры — Москва 24