Generation Z
Generation Z is the demographic group succeeding Millennials and preceding Generation Alpha. The speaker uses 2003–2004 as starting birth years, though researchers and popular media usually use the mid-to-late 1990s. I would also disagree with the speaker because many of my friends and I (born in 2001) consider ourselves a part of the generation. We, too, grew up with social media accounts and share other distinctive characteristics of Gen Z.
Most members of Gen Z are the children of Generation X, but some are children of millennials. The generation was born and lives in a period of economic crisis. They are the ones who usually identify themselves as citizens of the world — finding friends all over the world exposes them to intercultural interactions, which lead to the change of their values and the merge of cultures.
There are several peculiarities of the generation, including multitasking, being highly adaptive, easily concentrating for an extended period of time, and quickly (but not critically) searching the information. Once again projecting the characteristics onto my friends and me, I disagree that it is easy for us to hold attention, on the contrary, we are easily distracted.
The most renowned characteristic of the generation is that they have grown up with access to the Internet and portable digital technology from a young age. Members of Generation Z have been dubbed “digital natives”, even though they are not necessarily digitally literate. They do not seem to understand how to exist without the Internet. Those born in big cities used to have more chances of becoming successful in the future but nowadays the location is no longer important. What really matters is cyber skills.
Gen Z are pragmatic and individualistic. They value freedom and obtaining success. However, creating an image of a highflyer that is totally out of whack with reality presents them with depression and anxiety because they do not conform to the idea in their heads. There are some other negative aspects as well. Some of them are fear and vulnerability because the digital world creates many potential risks, and there are very few means of protection.
The 21st century created new challenges for the social development of children. A relatively new phenomenon of cyber socialization requires a new approach. Teenagers face new problems — cyber-bullying and lack of time. Some tend to spend a lot of time studying, preparing for their future, while others develop Internet addiction. Some of its variations are Instagram or perhaps TikTok depression. Teenagers feel insecure about the way they look as a result of following all those perfect-skin-and-body bloggers. They stop posting, liking others and may develop a habit of constantly checking their phones and experience phantom sounds of notifications. In the worst-case scenario, they start self-harming and become bent on self-destruction.
Given all these problem areas, comes up the question of how to create the conditions for a child of Generation Z to become a moral human being. There are new requirements for family, society, and country. As for upbringing and education, earlier popular intimidation techniques no longer work — Gen Z do not care about their parents’ and teachers’ opinions. The education system must adapt for Gen Z. It should utilize modern technologies, mobile and module education, flipped classroom strategy, and be child-oriented.
As Gen Z continue to come of age, early signs indicate that they will grow into engaged, conscientious stewards of our world — by being socially-minded, independent thinkers, who recognize their responsibility in shaping a more equitable future for all.
