This study was conducted to explore the relationship between time spent on social media and stress levels among Generation Z in Ho Chi Minh City. The survey was conducted on 96 young people of Generation Z, currently studying and working in Ho Chi Minh City, through a questionnaire including demographic information, social media usage habits and the DASS-21 scale to assess stress. The results showed that nearly 50% of participants had normal stress levels, while about 23% experienced moderate to very severe stress. Statistical analysis showed significant differences in stress levels by gender (men were higher than women) and work status (students were higher than those who worked). Notably, the frequency of accessing social media each day was closely related to stress levels, while the total duration, time of use or the social media platform often used did not show statistically significant differences. These results suggest that the number of times people use social media is more important than the total number of hours spent on social media in predicting stress. The study also highlights the need for psychological interventions targeting college students and women – who are more vulnerable – and suggests that managing social media habits is an effective stress prevention measure for Generation Z.