Gen Z now 'barebacking' their commutes in the latest bizarre social media trend for young workers

Daily Mail​

02-05-2025

A new Gen Z commuting trend has been turning heads, and making some passengers deeply uncomfortable, as young workers go tech gadget-free on public transport.
The trend in question? Doing absolutely nothing.
The practice involves commuting on trains, buses and ferries without any digital distractions and is bizarrely nicknamed 'barebacking', a nod to the social media trend of going distraction free on flights, dubbed 'rawdogging'.
That means no phones, no earbuds and no e-books. Even plain old books are out of the question, leaving nothing to hide behind to make make that morning commute for less awkward for all those involved .
Podcaster Curtis Morton coined the term in a recent video where he and co-host James Hacking were ranking their most hated travel habits.
'Barebackers, number one,' Morton declared.
A baffled Hacking asked for clarification, prompting Morton to elaborate.
'You've done this commute a hundred times. Why are you sitting there without a phone, without a book? Just looking around? Looking at me? Do something!'
Experts say the post-pandemic commute has paved the way for 'barebacking', defined by the complete absence of scrolling, swiping, or digital distractions, leaving commuters alone with nothing but their thoughts and unfiltered reality ... gasp.
Amanda Augustine, a certified career coach at Resume.io, says the rise in the strange behaviour has been driven by the rise of return to work at the office.
'Employees are expected to 'clock in' once they arrive at the office, not when they board the train,' she told Fortune.
By not looking at their phones, it allows workers to forgo work done outside of hours, allowing them to reclaim their time.
She also argues that it's allowing workers a screen detox, a much needed break before and after hours of looking at screens at their jobs.
'The transition back to the office is a challenging period for many commuters,' she said.
'So it's not surprising they are opting to use their commutes to mentally prepare for the day ahead or decompress after work, rather than mindlessly scroll through emails or social media.'
A number of comments were left by users on the video, which echoed the sentiments of Augustine, saying they couldn't look at their screens during their commutes.
'I agree with all except number one. I can't look at my phone or a book because I suffer from awful vertigo and travel sickness,' wrote one person.
'Agree with them all except the last one. Anyone who doesn't need constant stimulation from a book/phone/ipad, and can just exist in peace for 5 mins, is awesome.' someone else commented.
A recent survey revealed Gen Z workers had diffent attidues to work than older generations.
Data from talent agency Randstad Australia shows that 42 per cent of Gen Z workers declared they'd rather be unemployed than stay in an unhappy job.
Meanwhile, just over half, 51 per cent, would quit if work stopped them from enjoying life, and 62 per cent would walk if they didn't feel they belonged.