Gen-Z is reviving print magazines, zines, and analogue media, sparking a cultural comeback beyond digital platforms Nostalgia is a powerful force, especially for Gen Z. This generation, which has largely grown up alongside social media and the online world, is increasingly yearning for real-life experiences and the opportunity to “touch grass”. We have seen this with the resurgence of analogue cameras, the growing popularity of vinyl records, and even the return of brick phones (or tools to make your iPhone almost unusable). Naturally, print media was not far behind. @dumbphoneapp How I set up my minimal iOS 18 Home Screen like a dumb phone. 🔥 #iOS18 #iphone #customization #dumbphone #techtok ♬ original sound - Dumb Phone Dumb phones are one of the strategies Gen Z uses to push back against digital overload But why is Gen-Z longing for a time they have not truly experienced? Perhaps this young generation is seeking refuge from the increasingly saturated and overwhelming digital spaces, characterised by the rise of AI, bots, and new forms of digital “authoritarianism.” There appears to be a rise in anti-intellectualism, prompting Gen-Z to look offline for media that helps them escape the mental fatigue of their online lives. According to Wired, social media has shaped culture for over a decade, but as these platforms feel increasingly unsafe, more people are turning to alternative media. This shift is evident in the proliferation of zine fairs, such as Black Zine Fair in New York. Iconic Magazines Making a Comeback in 2025 Magazines that were once iconic but had fallen out of favour are also making a comeback. i-D magazine, for example, returned to newsstands in March, while Nylon Magazine resumed printing in April 2024. While mass-market magazines appear to be struggling, an article in The Guardian reports that indie and luxury titles are flourishing. Major brands like Chanel, Dior, and Armani are among those capitalising on this renewed love for print media, havin