# Gen Z trades screens for real objects

> Nearly eight in ten Gen Z consumers say collecting physical items helps them feel connected to the real world, reversing the digital age's promise.
- Title: Gen Z trades screens for real objects · Fastcompany | Shortify
- Summary: Nearly eight in ten Gen Z consumers say collecting physical items helps them feel connected to the real world, reversing the digital age's promise. Gen Z is…
- Keywords: gen z, consumer behavior, digital fatigue, physical objects, social media, screen time, collectibles, Gen, trades, screens, real, objects
- Source: Fastcompany — https://fastcompany.com/91625146/gen-z-is-bringing-back-something-the-digital-age-was-supposed-to-replace
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: gen z, consumer behavior, digital fatigue, physical objects, social media, screen time, collectibles
## Gen Z seeks escape from screens
For the generation that grew up with devices at their fingertips and social media as an extension of their life, a new shift is pushing Gen Z away from the screen and toward the real…
## Report finds real is the new premium
A two thousand twenty-six report by Quad and The Harris Poll explored how consumer behavior is changing in favor of physical experiences, finding that real is the new premium.

> real is the new premium
## Digital fatigue drives the shift
The shift seems to be driven by fatigue from scrolling, texting, emailing, and using AI tools. Forty-nine percent of Gen Z polled report feeling drained from scrolling on social media.
## Gen Z wants to disconnect
Seventy-four percent of Gen Z say they wished they could more easily disconnect from devices. Nearly a third of older generations agree with the sentiment.
## Americans cutting back on screen time
Americans are taking different steps to cut back on screen time, from deleting apps to leaving their phones at home. But Gen Z is actively looking for alternatives.
## Gen Z seeks phone-free experiences
Twenty-eight percent of Gen Zers intentionally attend phone-free experiences, and twenty-five percent buy analog alternatives to digital devices. Both rates are higher than the national average.
## Americans drawn to real-world experiences
Around eighty percent of Americans said they are drawn to real-world experiences that do not revolve around screens. The shift is fueling interest in collectibles and physical objects.
## Collectibles include sneakers and trading cards
The shift is fueling an interest in collectibles and physical objects like sneakers, toys, and trading cards. These items represent a return to tangible consumer goods.
## Gen Z feels connected through collecting
Seventy-nine percent of Gen Z say they feel more connected to the real world by collecting objects. This marks a significant shift in how the generation defines connection.

> 79% of Gen Z say they feel more connected to the real world by collecting objects
## Americans prefer physical over digital
Eighty-four percent of the general population says they prefer physical objects over digital ones. This preference spans across age groups and represents a broader cultural shift.
## Key takeaway

Gen Z is abandoning digital life for physical experiences and collectibles, with 79 percent saying collecting objects connects them to the real world.