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Jaya Bachchan on Gen Z kids seeking ‘validation’ from internet; 'Never heard of anxiety attacks in childhood'
In the recent episode of What The Hell Navya Season 2, Jaya Bachchan discussed about the prevalence of anxiety among the younger generation, attributing it to the influence of the internet.
Jaya Bachchan, Shweta Bachchan Nanda, and Navya Naveli Nanda made a captivating return to the screens in the newest episode of the vodcast What The Hell Navya Season 2. Their conversation centered on the topic of the internet. Jaya Ji referred to it as a source of validation for the younger generation while also attributing anxiety to its prevalence, noting that she had never heard of anxiety attacks during her childhood.
Jaya Bachchan on anxiety among the younger generation due to the internet
In the sixth episode of What The Hell Navya 2, Jaya Bachchan shared her observations with her granddaughter, Navya Naveli Nanda, about the habits of the younger generation, the Gen Z kids. She remarked on their tendency to promptly answer calls and reply to text messages, highlighting how the content they consume on their mobile devices and the internet has become a primary source of “validation.” The veteran actress noted that this constant need for validation, whether it's about appearance or opinions, contributes to increased stress levels.
When Navya questioned whether life was less stressful before the internet, her grandmother affirmed, stating that it was indeed the case. Despite Navya's assertion that she doesn't feel stressed and believes they handle it well, Jaya countered, emphasizing that the truth remains unchanged. She further stated, “We never heard of an anxiety attack in childhood. Let alone in our childhood; we never heard it in our midlife also.” 
The Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani actress attributed the rise in anxiety to the constant influx of information. According to her, the overwhelming amount of information, ranging from beauty standards to lifestyle trends, contributes significantly to feelings of anxiety among the younger generation.
Shweta Bachchan Nanda and Navya Naveli Nanda share their perspectives on anxiety
Shweta Bachchan Nanda expressed a different viewpoint from her mother's perspective. She suggested that anxiety has always existed but has become more recognizable and openly discussed in contemporary times. Shweta elaborated, “I feel that because they are having to cope with so much information blasting through their brains and they have to keep up and have to do everything just then, it makes them anxious. But it was always there.”
Addressing Jaya ji, Shweta noted that even she acknowledges feeling anxious at times, highlighting the increased vocalization of mental health issues in society.
Navya Naveli Nanda also shared her insights on the rising levels of anxiety, attributing it to the prevalent culture of showcasing only successes on social media platforms. According to her, the constant stream of achievements portrayed on Instagram creates a skewed perception of reality, where failures are rarely discussed.
She emphasized that social media feeds are filled with posts about holidays, parties, and awards, which can be overwhelming for young individuals like herself. The pressure to measure up to these standards often leads to self-doubt and heightened anxiety. She added, “Because you feel like if you're not achieving that, then you’re doing something wrong, and then you put more pressure on yourself to work more or take up more things so that you can also achieve that.”
The previous episodes of What The Hell Navya Season 2 have delved into a wide range of thought-provoking subjects, including women's roles in the workplace, matters of love, beauty standards, modern masculinity, and the intricacies of society itself. Viewers can anticipate fresh content each week as new episodes are released on Navya Nanda's YouTube channel.
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