Swapping shots for shows? Are we drinking less because we are watching more? – Firstpost

What does Gen Z enjoy doing? What is their go-to source of entertainment?

Most people would probably say they get their entertainment from video games, Netflix or social media.

Everyone has their own preferences, of course, and some may enjoy reading or travelling more than these options. Still, it is fair to say that digital entertainment has become hugely popular among this generation.

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Notably, alcohol has been a common choice for celebrating or relaxing during adult get-togethers for years. However, the head of one of the world’s biggest brewing companies recently said that alcohol sales have taken a hit, and he believes it is because people are spending more time on digital platforms.

Are we drinking less because we are watching more shows or playing more games? And if so, is that actually a good thing?

We will answer these questions in this clear and easy-to-understand explainer.

What did the head of one of largest breweries say?

Atsushi Katsuki, the chief executive of Japan’s Asahi, told Financial Times that gaming, video streaming and social media have played a much bigger role in changing drinking habits than Gen Z’s concerns about health.

He said that “there’s no doubt” the rise of digital entertainment platforms has affected demand for his company’s products more than people cutting back due to the negative effects of drinking.

“In the past 10 years, the number of entertaining things has grown including gaming, so I believe alcohol’s share of fun, enjoyment and happiness has decreased,” he told Financial Times.

Global alcohol sales fell by 1 per cent in volume but increased by 2 per cent in value in 2023, according to data provider IWSR. This shows that people are drinking less overall but are choosing more expensive options.

Further, as Firstpost reported earlier, the global wine industry saw its weakest performance in over 60 years in 2024. Both wine production and consumption dropped sharply. The United States, which is still the world’s biggest wine market by volume, recorded a 5.8 per cent fall in 2024, bringing it down to 33.3 million hectolitres.

Now, investors are trying to work out whether alcohol is facing long-term decline due to changing habits and health concerns, or if it is just being affected by the rising cost of living, according to the Financial Times report.

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Why avoiding alcohol is a good thing

Choosing to cut back on alcohol might be a positive step for those doing it for their health or changes in lifestyle.

The United States’ National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism says drinking too much can have serious effects on your body.

Alcohol affects how the brain sends and receives signals, which can change how it works and looks. This can lead to shifts in mood and behaviour, and make it harder to think clearly or move properly.

Drinking heavily can also harm the heart and put pressure on the liver.

But does that mean spending more time on screens is actually better for you?

Is screen time a new source of entertainment? Is that a good thing?

There’s no doubt that for many of us in Gen Z, screen time has become our go-to source of fun, whether it’s gaming, watching content online or scrolling through social media.

That does not mean we do not value real-life connections. But it is true that we have cut down on face-to-face interactions and now rely mostly on digital platforms to stay in touch.

Still, is swapping alcohol for screen time really the better option?

Many of us already know that too much screen time is not great for our health either. But for those who may not be aware, using your phone or laptop right before bed can make it harder to fall asleep or stay asleep, which can lead to long-term sleep problems.

An article from The Ohio State University explained that the light from screens, especially at night, can disturb your sleep and affect how awake and positive you feel the next day.

The more blue light you are exposed to, the higher your chances of insomnia. Not sleeping well for a long time can also affect your memory, focus and even lead to anxiety or depression.

Among university students, social media can be particularly hard to resist. One survey showed that 93% of Gen Z respondents admitted to staying up past bedtime just to be online.

A study from Norway this year found that just one hour of screen use before sleep can raise the risk of insomnia by 59% and shorten sleep by around 24 minutes.

Lots of people turn to social media to unwind or escape stress. But it might be doing more harm to your health than you think.

Cutting back on alcohol for health reasons or a new lifestyle might be a wise move. But relying only on screen time for fun may not be the best answer either. It can be a great way to relax, and that’s how it should stay.

At the same time, it should not come at the cost of sleep or physical activity. Spending too much time sitting and staring at a screen can affect your overall well-being.