The news: Gen Zers and millennials are growing screen-weary and want more in-person experiences, according to a Harris Poll and Quad’s Return of Touch Report.

• 84% of Gen Zers and millennials value brands that provide a mix of technological and physical experiences.
• 81% of Gen Zers wish they could disconnect from digital devices more easily and think digital detoxes should be a routine activity.

Return to the real world: Younger generations may be getting tired of the digital age. More than three-quarters (78%) would rather have their social life be entirely in person than entirely online.

This opens the door for minimalistic tech products and platforms that can help consumers find a line between doomscrolling and completely unplugging.

• Seven39 is a social media platform that’s only open for three hours per day, with the goal of avoiding digital fatigue and FOMO.
• The Minimal Company sells a $399 smartphone that’s only intended for calls, texts, and productivity apps, encouraging users to “live more, scroll less.”

Push to shop: While three-quarters (78%) of Gen Zers and millennials still enjoy digital elements in their shopping experiences, they want tech that enhances—not replaces—the activity. That’s in direct contrast with tech from OpenAI, Perplexity, and other AI companies that are developing autonomous agents to take over the task of shopping.

• 86% of Gen Zers and millennials said that touching and feeling products are essential elements of the path to purchase.
• 79% of US adults said that online shopping, while efficient, lacks the “magic” of finding something in person.

Connecting by mail? While it may seem like a more obsolete form of marketing compared with SMS and social media campaigns, physical mail still resonates with younger audiences.

• 65% of Gen Zers and millennials said print catalogs make brands seem more authentic.
• 72% wish more brands would surprise them with mail, and 78% have been prompted by physical mail to visit a store in person.

That interest in print marketing could mean a missed opportunity for digital-focused brands.

Our take: Connection may take priority over convenience for younger generations, who still want to talk face to face and walk store aisles.

Digital features in physical stores could bridge this gap, such as smart self-checkout for retail items or AR tools that let consumers pick an item from a shelf and try it on without using a fitting room.