Generation Z

Generation Z is a demographic cohort that follows Millennials.

This group is often called Gen Z or informally known as "Zoomers." Researchers use this term to group people with similar life experiences. They are the children of Generation X. It is predicted they will eventually be the parents of Generation Beta. Defining the exact years for a generation is often difficult. This is because the "zeitgeist," or the spirit of the times, is hard to measure.

Most researchers use the mid-to-late 1990s as the starting point. The Pew Research Center uses 1997 as the start year. They base this on specific socioeconomic and technological developments. Pew uses 2012 as a tentative endpoint for the group. Other organizations use slightly different ranges. The U.S. Census defines them as those born between 1997 and 2013. Australia's McCrindle Research uses 1995 to 2009. The Statistics Bureau of Japan uses 1995 to 2010. Because these dates vary, some people born on the edges are called "cuspers." These individuals are known as Zillennials if they sit between Millennials and Gen Z. They are called Zalphas if they sit between Gen Z and Generation Alpha.

Many different names have been used to describe this cohort.

Some call them the "iGeneration," a term used by psychologist Jean Twenge. Others have used names like the "Internet Generation" or "Centennials." In 2005, authors William Strauss and Neil Howe used the term "Homeland Generation." This referred to children growing up after the September 11 attacks. This era brought new protective surveillance measures, such as the Department of Homeland Security. The term "Zoomer" became very popular in 2018. It combines the "Z" from Gen Z with "Boomer." While it began as a meme, it is now mostly used as a neutral description.

Generation Z is the first social generation to grow up with Web 2.0. This means they grew up with digital technology as an established commodity. They often watch web series on YouTube and play online games. Because of this, they are frequently called "digital natives." This means they are very familiar with digital tools from a young age. However, being a digital native is not the same as being digitally literate. Some members may still struggle in a virtual workplace.

They also use mobile devices for almost everything. Many adolescents have a mobile phone by the time they reach their teens. They use these devices for social networking and watching videos. In Western countries, they often get news from Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube. This is a shift away from traditional media like radio or television.

Social and personal habits also distinguish this generation.

Some researchers describe Gen Z as more focused on school and jobs. They are often described as being better behaved and less hedonistic than previous groups. For example, they have fewer teenage pregnancies and consume less alcohol. They are also noted for being better at delaying gratification than teens from the 1960s. However, they face unique challenges. There is a higher awareness and diagnosis of mental health conditions. Sleep deprivation is also frequently reported. The negative effects of screen time were most pronounced in adolescents during the late 2010s.

An international study in 2016 looked at the happiness of 20,000 young people.

It found that 59% of Gen Z youth were happy with their personal lives. In Indonesia, 90% reported being happy, while only 29% in South Korea felt that way. The biggest sources of happiness were being healthy and having good family relationships. Conversely, the main sources of stress were money and school. In China, 19% of young people worried about food and water. In the United States and other Anglosphere countries, young adults reported more pessimism. This is often linked to economic hardship and mental health.

Generation Z is also shaping modern culture and politics. They are active in politics all around the world. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they adapted to hybrid school and remote work. They tend to value ambition, creativity, and curiosity. Even with the pandemic, many still want to travel. However, they look for package deals to get the most value for their money. They also use the internet to market and sell products, like fresh produce. While they use the internet heavily, they still value in-person interactions.

Youth subcultures have not disappeared, but they have become quieter and more ironic. This is partly due to the awareness of constant peer surveillance online.