Chronically online and unable to forge meaningful relationships, romantic or otherwise, it’s no wonder Gen Z is the most mentally ill generation to date.

It’s ironic that such disturbing rates of suicide, depression, and anxiety are coming from the generation superfixed on “self-care” and “self-confidence.” Perhaps, however, Gen-Z’s self-love mantra is the reason they are spiraling into loneliness and depression. //

Participants are making themselves look foolish and the people around them feel uncomfortable for views, likes, and shares on TikTok. The only “cause” the tube girl trend promotes is self-obsession. TikTokers are engaging in it “for the gram” or for “clout.” In other words, they are sacrificing their dignity in the physical world for validation in the digital world. //

The tube girl trend is one of the most stereotypical Gen Z phenomena to come out of TikTok. It is the epitome of toxic self-obsession. It symbolizes a generation deprived of human connection and unable to see anything greater than themselves.