Nepedia
Back to Discover
Fluent Reader
📖

Generation Z

society Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Generation Z is a group of people born during a specific time.

LongWavesThreeParadigms
LongWavesThreeParadigms

Researchers and media often say they were born between 1997 and 2012. Many people call them "Gen Z" or "Zoomers."

This group follows Millennials and comes before Generation Alpha. Most members of Gen Z are the children of Generation X. They are expected to be the parents of Generation Beta in the future. Different groups use slightly different years to define this cohort. For example, the U.S. Census says they were born between 1997 and 2013.

Ethnic Composition of US Cohorts
Ethnic Composition of US Cohorts

Growing up with technology is a huge part of their lives.

1TikTokBerlin
1TikTokBerlin

They were the first social generation to grow up with Web 2.0. This means digital tools were already common when they were children. They often watch online videos on sites like YouTube. They also spend time playing games on smartphones and computers.

Selfie au Palais des Beaux-Arts
Selfie au Palais des Beaux-Arts

Because they grew up this way, people call them "digital natives." This term describes how they are very familiar with the internet. However, being a digital native does not always mean they are digitally literate. Some might still struggle in a virtual workplace.

Many people have used different names for this group.

LongWavesThreeParadigms
LongWavesThreeParadigms

Authors like Jean Twenge have called them the "iGeneration." Other people used the name "Homeland Generation" in 2005. This name came from the time they were born. It was after the September 11 attacks when new security measures began. The name "Zoomer" became very popular in 2018. It mixes the "Z" from Gen Z with the word "Boomer."

In 2019, a study found that "Generation Z" was the most popular name in the U.S. Both the Oxford and Merriam-Webster dictionaries now include the term.

Gen Z has many unique habits and values.

Young People Net Happiness 2016
Young People Net Happiness 2016

They are often described as being more focused on school and jobs. They also tend to have fewer teenage pregnancies. Some studies say they consume less alcohol than previous generations.

Many young people in this group report higher levels of stress. They often worry about money and schoolwork.

Young People Net Happiness 2016
Young People Net Happiness 2016

There is also more awareness of mental health conditions. In a study of 20,000 youth, being healthy and having good family relationships were the biggest sources of happiness.

Young People Net Happiness 2016
Young People Net Happiness 2016

This generation is changing how the world works.

1TikTokBerlin
1TikTokBerlin

They are very active in politics around the world. Many people in the United Kingdom get their news from TikTok or Instagram.

1TikTokBerlin
1TikTokBerlin

They also use the internet to market and sell fresh produce. Even with so much screen time, they still value meeting friends in person.

Selfie au Palais des Beaux-Arts
Selfie au Palais des Beaux-Arts

During the COVID-19 pandemic, they showed they could adapt to remote work and hybrid school. They are often seen as valuing curiosity and creativity. They even look for good deals when they travel to save money.

457 words

Where will your curiosity go next?

Keep exploring at your chosen reading level.

🖼️ Images & Media (14)
File:Young People Net Happiness 2016.png
Young People Net Happiness 2016.png
File:LongWavesThreeParadigms.jpg
LongWavesThreeParadigms.jpg
File:‘LG Q7 BTS 에디션’ 예약 판매 시작 (42773472410) (cropped).jpg
‘LG Q7 BTS 에디션’ 예약 판매 시작 (42773472410)...
File:A young reader Reading Book.jpg
A young reader Reading Book.jpg
File:The Eleventh Doctor and Amy Pond.jpg
The Eleventh Doctor and Amy Pond.jpg
File:Ethnic Composition of US Cohorts.png
Ethnic Composition of US Cohorts.png
File:PISA Reading Scores (2022).png
PISA Reading Scores (2022).png
File:Myopia Diagram.jpg
Myopia Diagram.jpg
File:02019 0087 Abschied der Sommerferien bei Sanok.jpg
02019 0087 Abschied der Sommerferien bei Sanok.jpg
File:Adolescent birth rate per 1,000 women aged 15-19, OWID.svg
Adolescent birth rate per 1,000 women...
File:Kids Tandem - Flickr - Richard Masoner - Cyclelicious.jpg
Kids Tandem - Flickr - Richard Masoner -...
File:Selfie au Palais des Beaux-Arts.jpg
Selfie au Palais des Beaux-Arts.jpg

+ 2 more

More to explore

✨ What else?

Related topics you might enjoy

🔬 Go deeper

More advanced topics to explore

🪜 Step back

Simpler topics to build understanding

What is Nepedia?

A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.