Digital Fatigue, Sustainability Behaviour, and Energy Awareness Among Generation Z: The Role of Cognitive Resources and Education

This study investigates how digital lifestyles and cognitive fatigue influence sustainable behaviour and energy awareness among Generation Z. Drawing on environmental psychology and social science perspectives, it explores behavioural and cognitive mechanisms linking digital overexposure with pro-environmental engagement. A cross-sectional survey conducted among 683 Polish secondary-school students examined the relationships between digital activity, fatigue, self-regulation, and sustainability practices such as waste segregation, reuse, and consumption moderation. The results show that higher digital fatigue and problematic online use are negatively associated with sustainability engagement, supporting the view that cognitive overload reduces individuals’ capacity for mindful, sustainability-oriented action. Using k-means clustering and robust regression analyses based on ordinary least squares (OLS), this study identifies distinct sustainability behaviour profiles among Generation Z and examines how digital fatigue and problematic online use predict lower engagement in pro-environmental practices. Importantly, educational level moderated this effect, suggesting that energy and sustainability literacy can buffer the adverse consequences of digital exhaustion. The findings contribute to the growing field of digital sustainability and highlight the need to integrate digital well-being and environmental education into youth and social policy frameworks.