The US research found that most people find background music makes it difficult to hear dialogue, and that it's harder to hear dialogue than it used to be. Actors and TV personalities talking faster than they used to and visuals that aren't as well-lit are other cited drivers of the popularity of subtitles.
As to why Gen Z likes to turn on text while watching their shows, part of it is that people in the generation grew up watching videos on social media, where subtitles are the algorithmically encouraged default.
A growing majority of Americans — 61% this year compared to 55% in 2022 — believe it is harder to hear dialogue in shows and movies than before because of the background music. Rather than distract them, 81% of viewers report that subtitles more often help them understand the content they're watching.
“A lot of Gen Z are tired of the filters and Photoshop. They are looking for a more genuine connection when they are online,” Ahn said. Still, Gen Z is spending several hours a day online consuming curated content, connecting with friends, or reading news.
They delve into the reasons why so many people want to read dialogue: The first is that, for a lot of people, it's become a lot harder to understand dialogue on the TV. That's the top reason cited in the Preply survey, with nearly 72% of respondents who use closed captions marking that as one of the main reasons why.
For certain individuals with ADHD, subtitles or captions can serve as an excellent tool and provide necessary support during video calls, meetings, webinars and more.
#1 Better Speech Comprehension
Using subtitles allows your brain to connect sounds with written words, improving your speech comprehension. That also reduces the amount of energy your brain uses to hear.
Results from a recent Australian National Youth Mental Health Survey taken in 2020 -2021 showed Gen Zer's are reporting the highest rates of anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, loneliness, unemployment, housing stress, educational disruption, eating disorders, substance abuse, and social anxiety, in history.
Gen Z and mental health. Regarding the stats, it's clear that Gen Z is struggling. A 2022 survey of Gen Z young adults (ages 19 through 24) found that 42% are diagnosed with a mental health condition.
From record collecting and the resurgence of Kate Bush to '90s grunge and Y2K aesthetics, Gen Z is obsessed with nostalgia. And, honestly, no one should be surprised. As members of the so-called “Last Chance Generation,” Zoomers are the polar opposites of their generational nemeses, Baby Boomers.
Now, more than half of young people tell YPulse they prefer to use subtitles, and it's not just because they need them; the gen makes use of reading text while watching movies/TV to keep up with murmuring dialogue, to distinguish thick accents (looking at you Peaky Blinders), and some say just to get a head start on a ...
A lot of people complain about background music making it harder to hear dialogue. Captions can also facilitate multitasking and allow people to watch content in shared spaces without disturbing others.
A recent Preply study in the U.S. found that only 22% of viewers find subtitles more distracting than helpful, from which it can be inferred that over three-quarters of potential viewers don't find subtitles distracting. The study also found that: 74% of viewers say subtitles help them comprehend the plot.
For Gen Z workers, accessibility isn't an extra
That's also true if you ignore the best practices — especially if you're targeting a younger audience. In a 2021 survey from HRDive, 99% of Gen Z workers said that workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) was important to them.
Closed Captions Have Become Part of Korean Culture
It is culturally appropriate to include subtitles or even closed captions in your Korean media. In fact, the same can be said for Chinese and Japanese for similar reasons. At this point, it's even expected.
Social media and technology use are major contributors to Gen Z depression. While technology has many advantages, it can also be a source of anxiety and stress. Excessive social media use has been linked to feelings of loneliness, low self-esteem, and depression, according to research.
The biggest mental health issue Gen Z deals with is anxiety. Nine out of ten Gen Z with diagnosed mental health conditions struggle with anxiety, and nearly eight out of ten (78%) are battling depression. Other mental health conditions the generation faces are ADHD (27%), PTSD (20%), and OCD (17%).
Gen Z (42%) is about twice as likely as Americans over 25 (23%) to battle depression and feelings of hopelessness.
Unlike previous generations, Gen Z has little to no memory of a world without the internet, smartphones, and social media. Technology is a substantial part of their life. Being continually connected can also result in self-esteem issues and feeling pressure to conform.
Gen Zs are growing up and coming of age in a time of heightened stress and anxiety. From violence and terrorism to a global pandemic, Zoomers have dealt with significant issues in a relatively short period of time.
an estimated 1 in 4 (26% or 671,100) experienced at least 1 mental disorder in the preceding 12 months. anxiety disorders were the most commonly reported disorder for all young people overall (15%) followed by substance use disorders (13%) and affective disorders (6%).
It's estimated that 5% of children worldwide are diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Worldwide prevalence of ADHD in adults is estimated at 2.8% of people. Studies have shown that captions or subtitles can help people with ADHD retain audio-visual material.
Captions should identify the speaker and what's being said, identify other sounds (birds singing, car tires screeching, etc.) and song lyrics. For somebody who is on the autistic spectrum captions give a greater depth of understanding and context by providing a second input stream.