In a more digitized world, fact and fiction have been blurred perilously. From the feeds of social media to news websites, we now inhabit a world where believing is no longer seeing. The twin menaces of misinformation and deepfakes are not hypothetical—they are redefining our views, cheating institutions, and eroding democratic confidence worldwide. The term deepfake refers to hyper-realistic synthetic audio, images, or video created using generative AI. What began as a niche tech curiosity has turned into an omnipresent threat. According to a recent global survey, 60% of people were exposed to at least one deepfake video in the past year, and over 95% of these videos were generated using open-source tools like DeepFaceLab. At the same time, the economic toll is astronomical: global fraud losses attributed to deepfakes already amount to tens of billions, with estimates projecting $40 billion in losses by 2027. These fakes are not raw make-believe. A TIME probe into technology such as Google’s Veo 3 found that deepfake videos can show riots, political speeches, election tampering, and more—with sound, realistic movement, and situational realism so intense that they’re virtually indistinguishable from real life . Why deepfakes are dangerous ? Political deepfakes pose a danger to democracy itself. Threats during the 2024 European and American elections highlighted potential interference. Although a Financial Times analysis subsequently discovered only 27 viral AI election deepfakes in the UK, France, and EU, and just 6% of U.S. election disinformation used generative AI—the danger is still foreboding . Deepfake scams are flourishing. Frauds increasingly use celebrity faces and voices to deceive innocent victims—resulting in huge amounts of money lost. The FBI found that almost 40% of scam victims in 2023 were presented with deepfake material, and deepfakes-related fraud in Asia‑Pacific alone grew by 1,530% in one year. 2. Non-consensual exploitation For others, the danger is highly intimate. People—particularly women and adolescents—are becoming victims of “nudify” apps, sextortion, and unwanted deepfakes. There are rampant cases in Australia and South Korea that have prompted immediate legislative and educational action . Humans are not immune. Research indicates that individuals accurately detect only 24–62% of deepfakes, depending on the medium, and tend to overestimate their ability to do so. Add generative AI words and audio into the equation, and we’re immersed in a whirlpool of manipulative content. Deepfakes flourish where virality is designed. X, Meta, and TikTok are such hotspots: recent Indian data indicates 77% of disinformation begins on social media, with Twitter and Facebook at the forefront. Volatile, algorithmic content goes further and faster than rational facts, so disinformation is difficult to contain . Tech-driven detection AI detection software is competing to stay ahead. Initiatives such as Texas State University’s model registered 96.4% detection rate in 2023, and Chinese initiatives reported more than 90% accuracy. India’s very own Deepfakes Analysis Unit employs WhatsApp-based flagging to examine content before national elections. Media literacy & public awareness Experts insist that identifying pixel-level errors is not sufficient. The AI model creations these days are too sophisticated. Users should, instead, raise questions of source credibility, take motive into account, and crosscheck through credible journalism. Countries such as Australia are implementing deepfake teaching in schools as part of wider digital literacy initiatives . Regulatory action Governments across the globe are stepping up. The U.S. has just passed the TAKE IT DOWN Act (May 19, 2025), requiring platforms to quickly take down non-consensual intimate deepfakes. The AI Act is implementing risk-based regulation in Europe. India is weighing targeted reform under its draft Digital India Act . The battle against deepfakes and disinformation requires a multi-fronted approach: Only by swift, concerted action can society preserve truth and trust. The age of deepfake isn’t arriving—it’s already arrived. Real-world effects—from subverting elections to destroying lives—are already playing out. Yet there’s also reason for hopeful restraint: human beings are waking up, technologies are improving, and laws are adapting. By equipping ourselves with understanding, technologies, and cooperation, we can reclaim fact-driven discourse before fiction seeps too deeply into everyday life. Keep reading Foramz for your daily dose of moral support.
Written by genelia
Social media has become a crucial part of our everyday lives in the current technological age. Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter (X), and Snapchat have brought about a monumental shift in how we relate to, interact with, and ‘voice’ ourselves. Yet, while claiming to provide a means of connection, social media often disguises the increasingly significant problems they cause our relationships with other people in real time. From disrupting and deteriorating face-to-face relationships to increasing mental illness and warped societal attitudes, the changes are profound and wide-ranging. This article discusses the major issues that social media has caused in our relationships with people, specifically: trust, emotional intimacy, and social behaviour. Social media promotes quantity rather than quality. It’s not uncommon to have hundreds or thousands of friends or followers, but how many of those are close relationships? These online ties tend to be superficial, sustained by likes, comments, or memes, and not by meaningful conversations. This facade of familiarity creates a false feeling of belonging. Psychologists are adamant that relying entirely on direct contact for support may be even lonelier than when a person has no support at all, especially during personal crises when real support is valuable. Though this is not an unusual occurrence, there is a tendency for frequent use of these apps that provide the option to view images, videos, and communicate with others to contribute to misinterpretation and eventually jealousy in dating relationships. For example, when a person in a dating relationship likes, follows, or comments on another person’s post, it can generate feelings of insecurity and skepticism in their dating partner, regardless of there being no actual cheating. A study published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking found that 1 in 3 couples reported that they had fought about something one of them did or saw on social media. With time, this may erode trust, create the impulse to surveil (read partner’s messages or followers), and create emotional distance. The design of social media may be inherently addictive (push alerts, endless scroll, likes, etc.) and can lead to individuals spending hours staring at their phones and making it all too easy to forget the correlations of reality. The cost of this screen time: dinner conversations ignored, partners left out during crucial conversations, or parents missing from family time. A 2024 American Psychological Association survey discovered that 68% of individuals had previously had an experience over the past week when they had felt snubbed by another person who was using a phone while they were conversing . Such “phubbing” (phone-snubbing) behaviors can threaten trust, affection, and intimacy in personal relations. The second issue that has arisen as a result of social media is a comparison culture. People tend to only share their best selves online, such as their best times, vacations, and accomplishments, and they hide their struggles. For the viewer, it creates an unrealistic world that leads to feelings of envy, inadequacy, and anxiety. When people feel like they’re “not good enough” when comparing themselves to others, it not only fundamentally undermines their mental health but often becomes a threat to their relationships. Low self-esteem can develop into emotional dependency, withdrawal, or even defensiveness toward a loved one. Social media is not always a secure environment. Toxicity, online bullying, and cyberbullying have increased disproportionately, primarily among teenagers and young adults. Their emotional scars of online abuse often spill over into offline relationships as they withdraw or become fiercely defensive. An estimated 37% or more of adolescents in 2022 reported being bullied online, with long-term effects on their trust and communication styles offline. Constant access to everyone’s social life—parties, vacations, achievements—can create FOMO, as people begin to feel left out or isolated. This can make people overdo themselves socially, sideline genuine relationships for the sake of “being seen,” or even doubt the quality of existing friendships. This, in turn, hurts relationship satisfaction and breeds social anxiety. A Complex Web of Challenges Whereas social media has been designed to unite people, it ironically tends to cause more emotional detachment in most real-life relationships. Issues vary from compromised communication to emotional insecurity and lack of trust. The cyber world can never be able to offer the depth and touch of human presence. As we keep advancing in this digital era, recognizing these issues is the starting point for reclaiming the power of our real-life connections. KEEP READING FORAMZ FOR MORE UPDATES
Written by Mira
We’re living in an age where algorithms write stories, bots handle customer care, and machines predict our preferences better than our friends. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer science fiction—it’s our present, and it’s shaping our future faster than anyone imagined. For Gen Z, the digital-native generation born into a world of smartphones and social media, AI is both a game-changer and a challenge. Let’s be honest—AI is disrupting jobs, industries, and expectations. From customer service to content creation, from data analysis to diagnostics, AI is gradually taking over tasks once performed by humans. Reports from the World Economic Forum and McKinsey predict that millions of jobs could be lost or transformed by automation in the coming decade. And who stands at the brink of this upheaval? Gen Z. But the good news is this: Gen Z also sits at the threshold of great opportunity. With the right mindset and skillset, they can survive AI disruption and even thrive along with it. The future doesn’t belong to machines—it belongs to those who know how to utilize them wisely. Understanding the Shift The path forward from the impact of AI is recognizing that it’s not simply replacement—it’s redefinition. AI is taking over mundane, rule-based jobs. But it’s also inventing completely new professions: AI prompt engineers, ethical AI officers, human-AI interaction designers, and more. A lot of those jobs didn’t exist five years ago. Careers tomorrow will be a combination of technology, artistry, and human understanding. Move From Job Security to Skill Security Gen Z needs to leave job titles behind and begin pursuing skills. Technical proficiency is no longer a choice—it’s a necessity. Educating oneself about how AI operates, how to deal with it, how to judge its output, and how to ask it the right questions will be the new digital literacy basics. Courses on AI, data science, automation tools, and programming are available on sites like Coursera, edX, Khan Academy, and YouTube at affordable or even no cost. But just technical expertise isn’t sufficient. Invest in What Makes Us Human AI currently lacks emotional intelligence, creativity, judgment, and empathy. These aspects of humanity will only become more important, not obsolete. Gen Z needs a greater investment in creative thinking, in narrative, in collaboration, in leadership, and in ethics-based decision-making. These are what will make them remain relevant in a world where computers can think quicker but not feel smarter. Develop an AI Alliance, Not a Competition Rather than avoiding AI, Gen Z needs to learn to work with it. Employ AI as a collaborator, not a competitor. Authors can employ tools such as ChatGPT as aids in brainstorming and editing. Designers can use AI-created images as inspiration. Marketers can interpret data through AI-fueled insights. Coders can code more quickly using AI suggestions. Most successful future professionals will not be those who escape AI. They will be those who co-create with it. Stay Agile, Stay Curious In a fast-changing environment, adaptability is strength. Gen Z must cultivate a culture of lifelong learning. The capacity to re-learn, upskill, and adapt rapidly will be the key differentiator. Read newsletters such as MIT Tech Review, follow AI thought leaders on LinkedIn, and join hackathons, digital bootcamps, and online forums. Make Ethics Your Anchor Gen Z is a socially conscious generation. This consciousness needs to carry over to the realm of AI. As this tech dominates economies, media outlets, and justice systems, there is an increased demand for voices that critique, lead, and humanize AI development. Ethics isn’t just a philosophy class—it’s a career boost. Individually Train to Be Future-Ready At the individual level, Gen Z must make time each week for AI building skills—whether mastering a new AI tool, playing around with prompt writing, or participating in a virtual community for innovation. Cultivating a habit of technology discovery and correlating it with passion—be it music, fashion, learning, or gaming—will make them stand out. The magic is not so much in technical expertise, but in using it creatively across domains. The Bottom Line AI is not designed to eliminate human potential. It’s here to probe and enhance it. For Gen Z, the question is not “Will I lose my job to AI?” but “How can I make AI work for me?” By embracing change, developing eternally human skills, and developing fluency in new tools, Gen Z can turn fear into fuel—and create a future where humans and machines join forces to tackle the world’s greatest challenges. Because when it comes to the age of AI, the most potent tool is still the human, curious, and adaptable mind behind the machine. Keep Reading Foramz for your daily dose of Moral Support.
Written by genelia
In Part 1, we covered the ‘always-on’ mindset – the new reality that employees are having to live with in the workplace. Digital technologies, the work-from-anywhere phenomenon, and instant communication have created barriers to employee health and well-being. The need to always be connected typically leads to digital burnout, or emotional exhaustion, diminishing productivity. But the silver lining is that the problem is both identifiable and reversible. In Part 2, we concentrate on practical, evidence-based solutions—individual and organizational levels—that will prevent and manage digital burnout, and encourage a healthier, more sustainable work culture. Organizational Solutions: Redesigning Culture and Policy 1. Set Healthy Boundaries for Digital Communication Firms need to set healthy boundaries as an example in digital communication. This means: When organizations exhibit these norms, they send a clear signal – you have permission to unplug. Managers need to incorporate breaks into their workplace culture that actively remove employees from their devices. For example: Promoting these behaviours will increase concentration and reduce eye strain while also facilitating cognitive recovery. Because managers reward success based on employee availability and speed of response only, they naturally cause employees to overwork mentally. Shifting toward an outcome-based work culture, where productivity and performance are evaluated on output rather than being literally online for hours, eases the pressure of riding the wave of being connected to work all the time. Employees should be allowed the freedom to manage their time and pace of work as long as they are getting their deliverables done. 4. Digital Well-being Training and Resources Organizations need to offer training sessions that instruct employees on how to manage their screen time, digital fatigue, and self-care, such as: HR departments ought to be able to provide mental health services, access to counselors, and mindfulness or guided meditation apps. Individual Strategies: How Employees Can Take Control 1. Establish Personal Digital Boundaries Even without an organization’s enforcement, individuals can take proactive measures to control their digital exposure: These little things decrease anxiety and open up mental space for relaxation and concentration. The best way to manage burnout is to block time during your day for uninterrupted (who doesn’t also yearn for some level of uninterrupted work time ) work without distractions from your screen, phone, or other digital sources. There are many ways to schedule and decide on how to block time. Pomodoro technique (25 minutes of work, 5-minute break) or calendar blocking are just a few ways to manage to get control back over your scheduled day. Use programs such as Focus Mode or mobile apps such as Forest or Freedom to assist in staying distraction-free. 3. Practice “Digital Hygiene” As we look after our physical wellbeing, looking after our digital wellbeing is important too: These practices maintain physical and mental well-being in the long run. 4. Communicate Needs Clearly Workers are reluctant to communicate if they feel overwhelmed. However, sincere communication with managers or teams regarding workload, availability, and signs of burnout can generate changes that are helpful to all. For instance, proposing a no-meeting day or minimizing the number of tools employed for communication (e.g., between email, Slack, or WhatsApp) can make workflows more basic and lower the level of cognitive overload. Building a Sustainable Digital Culture Managing digital burnout does not mean avoiding technology, as in the previous section, but indicates that people should be using technology mindfully. Organizations that embrace a balance of people-centric digital culture will see greater retention, increased creativity, and happier employees. When employees sense that they are trusted in terms of working in their own time, respected in terms of protecting their own space, and cared for through policies thoughtfully designed with them in mind, they are more likely to be engaged, focused, and psychologically fit for the entire working shift. In the meantime, those who practice mindful digital behavior can regain time, reduce stress, and enjoy a richer work-life balance. The digital revolution in the workplace is not going away, but the culture of “being always available” does not have to endure. By reframing the way we work and connect, we can stem the tide of digital exhaustion and build a future of work that is smarter, healthier, and more humane. KEEP READING FORAMZ FOR MORE UPDATES
Written by angela
Gen Z isn’t just cancelling “good vibes only” — they’re rebuilding the straight-talk language of mental health, one painfully honest post at a time. Gone are the days of self-care defined as cucumber slices on eyes and candlelit baths. Now, it means cancelling toxic friendships, learning how to say no without guilt, prioritizing therapy over brunch in the budget, and deleting the app and getting off-line when it’s too much on-line. “We don’t want pretty. We want real,” says Aanya Bhattacharya, 20, an artist in Kolkata, India, who regularly posts her raw sketches about anxiety attacks and intrusive thoughts – without filter or font overlay. “My mental health doesn’t have an aesthetic. It has triggers and scars.” What’s Actually Working?Therapy-Tok & Unfiltered Talk: Creators are defining new ground by going beyond self-care tips and openly discussing trauma bonds, emotional regulation, generational baggage and strategies for CBT. Accounts run by a licensed therapist and psychology students are gaining traction, not on gimmicks, but on grounded and relatable advice. Meaningful Memes: Surprisingly, one of the most effective vehicles of this movement? Memes. From “crippling anxiety starter packs” to “trauma response bingo,” dark humor is empowering Gen Z to express what they have been taught to suppress. And it’s working – because sometimes laughing at the pain helps you process it. So What Now? The future of Gen Z’s mental health revolution is not to stop using digital tools – it’s to use them thoughtfully. Therapists as influencers. Content-creating mental health professionals are increasingly becoming important bridges from awareness to action. Be it TikTok skits or Instagram infographics, their presence adds a level of expertise to the conversation. Offline support circles. Gen Z is starting to learn that healing does not always need to happen in public. Support groups, therapy pods, community care meet ups, and “venting clubs” are becoming more and more popular as safe offline avenues to express their emotions. As this generation of WiFi-native anxiety sufferers goes forth, they are creating something never seen in the world before: a mental health culture that is messy, honest, compassionate – and most importantly human. Keep reading Foramz for your daily dose of Moral support.
Written by Ananya
Social media is a mirror in today’s digital world, but it is a mirror that never accurately represents our true reflections; it always represents a filtered, edited, and curated version of life. For Generation Z (1995 – 2010), however, this mirror is nearly impossible to avoid. Social media is a part of everyday life, from taking Instagram selfies and TikTok dances to Snapchat streaks and aesthetic boards on Pinterest. But in the middle of all of the likes, followers, and hashtags is the growing concern of the pressure to be perfect, and how that pressure negatively influences self-esteem. For many Gen Zers, social media is more than just a form of screen time; it’s a lifestyle. Research tells us that teens and young adults average three to six hours a day scrolling their platforms of choice. Entertainment, connection, and creativity are just a few of the beneficial aspects of social media, but they also include an intense sense of comparison. The cycle starts innocently: you post a photo, wait patiently for likes to come in, and get flooded with that feel-good rush as the hearts come rolling in. In no time, you start to wonder why there are so many others with clearer skin, better fashion sense, or more interesting lives, or bigger circles of other fun people. It’s crazy! Logically, we know that all of those images are filtered, curated, posed, or crafted, but we can’t help the compulsion to compare. These constant comparisons lead to feeling inadequate: “Why isn’t my life as cool?” or “Why don’t I look like that?”. Little by little, these thoughts strip away at our self-esteem, especially when we are still figuring out who we are. Social media’s greatest detractor is that it depicts little of reality. Social media’s dark secret is that the people we follow typically only post their best experiences, the amazing vacations, the perfect selfies, and the beloved celebrations. As a result, we are left with this social media highlight reel that glosses over the messy, mediocre, boring, and mundane. Consequently, scrolling through hundreds of highlight reels each day can lead to the perception that everyone else is doing better than us. This can also contribute to feelings of anxiety, depression, and a skewed sense of self-worth. Gen Z is accustomed to this kind of pressure because social media has been prevalent in their lives since they were toddlers. A survey conducted by the American Psychological Association revealed that Gen Z participants experience the highest levels of stress compared to previous generations, with social media contributing much to the angst. A lot of teens feel they have to perform look perfect, act cool, be on-trend just to stay META! Technology has made changing your appearance only with a few taps to the screen, easier than ever filters can slim down your face, whiten your eyes, and smooth out your skin. Editing apps can transform your photos within seconds to help you look like a model. Some people just enjoy playing around with these tools, while others feel compelled to utilize them just to feel “good enough” to share a post. This creates a toxic cycle of insecurity. You might share an edited photo, receive some compliments, and briefly feel good. However, when you look in the mirror, you feel disappointed, not meeting the transformative “you” that you created online. What can be done? To begin with, it’s worth remembering that social media is not reality. Behind each perfect post is someone with just as many struggles, insecurities, and bad days as you have. Unfollowing accounts that make you feel awful about yourself, stepping away from social media, or setting screen-time limits are all great ways to help protect your mental health. Following influencers who embody body positivity, mental health awareness, and being yourself is helpful too. There are more and more Gen Z influencers who are vocal about the negatives of filters and the importance of showing up as your true self. These are all great steps in changing social media culture. Speaking to friends, family, or even a counselor about your feelings can be hugely beneficial too. You are definitely not alone in feeling the pressure, and it is completely okay to ask for help. Perfection is a myth and not the goal. What matters is finding yourself, and realizing that everyone has flaws even those who look perfect on social media. Gen Z has the chance to change how social media is used and can do so by being honest, supportive, and kind. In the end, you are not defined by the number of likes, or followers, or filters that you have. You are defined by how you respect yourself, and how you respect others. Social media can be a fun tool, just don’t let it define your self-worth. You are enough. Keep reading foramz
Written by Mira
In the last Blog, we saw how AI is taking its speed and taking over the tech world. How AI has no longer remained a futuristic concept. It has become an integral part of our everyday lives and workplaces. From automating mundane tasks to analyzing vast amounts of data in seconds, AI promises tremendous efficiency and innovation. Today, this advancement also brings a pressing challenge: the replacement of human jobs. AI is impacting various sectors, it is important to have awareness of how AI is taking over these sectors, so that individuals can prepare wisely for the future. One of the most vulnerable sectors is customer service. AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants are increasingly being used. customer inquiries, complaints, and support tasks. These systems can work 24/7 without any fatigue, by addressing multiple customers simultaneously. Jobs such as a call center agent and a customer support representative are at risk of being replaced or drastically reduced. Another sector feels the impact is in administrative and clerical work AI systems can schedule calendars, schedule appointments, filter mail, and enter data with speed and accuracy that human capacity cannot match. Administrative assistants and data entry clerks tend to do repetitive tasks, are subject to automation, leaving fewer human jobs for these types. Industrial manufacturing and warehousing have for a long time experienced automation via robotics, but AI is going a step further. AI-powered robots and smart machines are now undertaking assembly line work, packing, and stock management with high accuracy and minimal mistakes. This has put manual work in factories and warehouses at risk, as businesses try to save money and enhance efficiency with automated systems. In transport and delivery, autonomous vehicles and drones are revolutionizing the scene at a fast pace. Delivery drones and autonomous trucks are able to drive around the clock without break or fatigue. This technology jeopardizes drivers and delivery agents, potentially replacing millions of jobs globally as the technology advances and regulatory barriers are broken. The retail industry is also transforming under the control of AI. Self-service checkout lanes, AI-based inventory management, and AI-based personalized shopping assistants through machine learning are eliminating the requirement of cashiers and stock clerks. Although this could help improve customer experience, it also poses a threat to traditional retail employment. Equally so is the accounting and finance industry undergoing a transformation. Algorithms using AI can scan financial information, create reports, flag fraudulent activity, and even place trades quicker than human experts. Low-end accounting and finance jobs that generally entail repetitive data processing are more being taken over by machines, leaving employees under pressure to reskill or seek alternative niches. In healthcare administration, AI can aid in patient scheduling, record keeping, and even diagnostic assistance. These functions can enhance the efficiency of services but also decrease the need for administrative personnel who undertake routine, non-clinical work. Even the judicial world cannot escape. AI tools are able to scan legal documents, analyze case law, and make prognostications about legal outcomes, which impacts jobs traditionally performed by paralegals and junior attorneys. This trend encourages legal professionals to concentrate more on sophisticated, strategic work instead of time-consuming paperwork. Despite all of these challenges, AI is also generating new job opportunities. There is increasing demand for AI engineers that develop and operate smart systems, data scientists that explain insights produced by AI, and AI ethics advisors who guarantee that technology is being utilized responsibly. Moreover, new careers are arising that enable human-AI collaboration, integrating technological expertise with characteristically human abilities such as creativity and emotional understanding. To succeed in this evolving world, ongoing learning and flexibility are crucial. Employees need to be open to improving their skills, adopting new technologies, and being adaptable in their professions. Instead of dreading AI as a job stealer, it’s healthy to perceive it as a productivity-enhancing tool that could create new opportunities. In conclusion, AI is undeniably reshaping the world of work. While some sectors face job losses, others are evolving or emerging, offering fresh opportunities. Staying informed, adaptable, and proactive will be key to navigating this AI-driven future successfully. Keep reading Foramz for your daily dose of Moral support.
Written by angela
The Beginning: From Hashtags to Honesty, Gen Z is calling out the glossy nature of mental health awareness Gen Z is taking action, saying “stop” to the pastel-fueled quotes proclaiming that every problem can be solved with a “just smile through it” attitude. The phrase “Mental health is not a trend” is starting to be spread across platforms such as TikTok, X (Twitter), and Instagram, where users (mostly aged 18-25) are calling out what they perceive to be toxic positivity disguised as wellness advocacy. Individual accounts that started as a couple of viral videos calling out “good vibes only” have morphed into a digital rebellion, bringing attention to these mental health trends. Okay, but what is Toxic Positivity? Toxic positivity is defined as a form of overgeneralization of a happy, optimistic state in which one denies, minimizes, and invalidates emotions that are unavoidably a part of the human experience. “Every time I ever said I was anxious or depressed- people would just say, ‘don’t worry, be happy!’ Like.. bro, that’s not therapy, that’s denial,” said 19-year-old Priya Kapoor, a psychology student from Pune, in a trending Instagram reel. The Internet Is Ironic: Likes Versus Lives The issue, as many people see it, is the Instagrammification of mental health. Bath bombs, aesthetic mood boards, and journal prompts are now ubiquitous—but therapy bills? Systemic issues? Trauma? Not so much. Issue critics argue that all these online trends related to mental health and wellness are dangerous in their oversimplifications. “If someone posts a selfie crying with #MentalHealthAwareness but never mentions therapy, coping strategies, or any real emotion, what are we actually doing?” says Sana Rizvi, a 21-year-old sociology major. But Gen Z isn’t just calling out the improprieties—they’re reclaiming the conversation. Across platforms, hashtags such as #MentalHealthIsNotAesthetic, #StopToxicPositivity, and #ItsOkayToNotbeOkay have begun to trend. Videos mocking overly positive “self-help influencers” have gone viral—not to ridicule the wellness industry, but to demand authenticity. This new movement of online content doesn’t shy away from dark days, breakdowns, or emotional messiness. Rather, it emphasizes vulnerability as strength. Many young creators now share their healing journeys as open diaries— with therapy, medication, community care, and boundaries at the forefront. To Be Continued in Part 2: Gen Z’s Mental Health Revolution — What’s Working, What’s Not, and Where We Go From Here… KEEP READING FORAMZ.COM FOR MORE UPDATES
Written by genelia
In the hyper-connected world we live in today, the lines between working and personal life have become blurred nearly irreversibly. The digital office, enabled through instant communication options and digital tools, has created a workspace for employees where they feel the never-ending urge to be “always-on”. While this virtual connection provides convenience and flexibility, it can result in digital fatigue that could be detrimental to personal well-being and organizational productivity. Digital Connectedness Is Increasing & The Double-Edged Sword The amount of information coming from smartphones, tablets, laptops, online apps, and collaboration apps like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom implies employees can communicate and collaborate from almost anywhere, at almost any time.. Conversations that once happened at the office (9-5) happen now in the evenings, weekends, and vacations. Whereas this virtual connectivity can help employees embrace flexibility in ways, like working from home, quick decision making, and solving problems as they surface, it also creates a culture where the expectation of instantaneous responsiveness has become the norm, thereby turning one always-on availability into one long workday. The Problem: Always-On Culture and Its Effects Redefining Work and Personal Life Boundaries One of the biggest problems with being “always available” is the blurring of boundaries between work and personal life. The employees struggle to switch off since emails, messages, and calls just keep coming in despite working hours. This invasion of privacy interferes with the ability to rest, quality time with friends and family, and do recreational activities that contribute to mental and emotional well-being. The Emergence of Digital Burnout Digital burnout is a particular type of burnout brought about by extensive use of digital devices and constant online interaction. Digital Burnout refers to physical, mental, and emotional fatigue that is caused by too much digital engagement. Digital burnout, which is distinct from traditional burnout, which relates primarily to work and interpersonal stress, is connected to a compulsion to connect and a greater fear of being left out because they missed some communications.Both are forms of stress dysfunction and cause the body to undergo similar damage and repair cycles.Symptoms of burnout include: Heightened Stress and Anxiety Levels The need to be reactive at all times creates an increased level of stress. Staff tend to keep checking messages and emails continuously, even outside work hours or during breaks. This habit results in constant pressure and inability to wind down. Moreover, the worry of being viewed as uncommitted or lazy if they do not reply very quickly adds to this anxiety. Just the notion of possibly losing important information or falling behind their colleagues creates an extreme cycle of hypervigilance. Impact on Productivity and Quality of Work While being consistently connected may seem to improve productivity, it does the opposite. The compulsion to multitask with our professional messages, emails, and meetings creates repeated distractions and divided attention. The divide reduces the ability to fully engage in complex tasks, thus creating poorer quality work and more mistakes. Additionally, employees encountering digital burnout often have lower motivation and creativity, which affects their innovativeness and problem-solving abilities. The role of organizational culture and leadership. The digital burnout problem often has its origins in an organizational culture and leadership style that is usually inherent in organizational practices. Organizations that implicitly and explicitly reinforce rapid and immediate responsiveness enact undue pressure on employees and cultivate the mindset that employees are expected to be available 24/7. Managers who are themselves always “on” and then expect the same from their employees contribute to the organizational culture. Employees have no clear policy with respect to after-hours communication and have the pressure of not knowing when it is acceptable to disconnect and be offline. Social Isolation and Decreased Human Connection In spite of the abundance of digital communication, being always connected can paradoxically boost the sense of loneliness. The nature of human connections is often compromised as digital communications become a substitute for direct communication. Workers can become emotionally isolated and devalued, and the sense of loneliness and unhappiness will be amplified. KEEP READING FORAMZ.COM FOR MORE UPDATES
Written by Mira
The conversation around Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its impact on jobs is no longer a distant warning, it is a present-day reality. From retail and customer service to fiancae and journalism., AI has taken over the industries. Healthcare industries also have AI, which is transforming healthcare at a pace that is both exhilarating and unsettling. What was once confined to science fiction is now reshaping how we work, hire, and even define productivity. While AI brings remarkable advancements in efficiency and innovation, it raises critical concerns for us human professionals. It raises unsettling questions like: Are human workers becoming obsolete? Will automation trigger mass unemployment, or are we simply transitioning into a new kind of workforce? Artificial Intelligence, like machine learning, natural language processing, and robotic process utomatiare being adopted globally to handle tasks once performed by humans. Some of the key areas of job disruption include Customer Service, Manufacturing, Transportation, Finance, and Content Creation. Jobs Most at Risk vs. Jobs Being Created Researchers (World Economic Forum and McKinsey reports, among others) agree that AI will replace and create jobs: Most at risk: data entry clerks, telemarketers, bookkeeping clerks, and assembly line workers. In demand: AI engineers, data scientists, cybersecurity specialists, human-machine interaction designers, and AI ethicists. It is an expression of duality rather than disappearance of work. As repetitive or rule-based work is being assumed by AI, it is creating opportunities for new types of work demanding skillfully human abilities such as empathy, creativity, ethical thinking, and problem-solving at a deeper level. In spite of the apprehensions, AI is not endowed with the emotional quotient, moral sense, and flexibility of the human mind. In most professions, including education, counseling, care giving, and management, the human element cannot be replaced. The next generation of work will probably witness a synergy between humans and machines, with AI doing the grunt work and humans guiding the strategic, ethical, and relationship dimensions. AI is not only displacing jobs—it’s transforming them. Adaptability is the secret to success in this age: re-skilling, up-skilling, and embracing a culture of lifelong learning. Governments, corporations, and schools have a vested interest in getting society ready for this transformation. Instead of fighting automation, we need to ask: How do we harness AI to work with us, not against us? In our next blog, we will discuss the problems that AI can create for us. Keep Reading Foramz for your daily dose of Moral Support.