Unfolding our Generation

Tech has become one of the most defining characteristics when it comes to our generation. We have access to technology like no other generations before. We have become accustomed to quick and easy communication, text, social media, while other generations relied more on in person interactions. This ability to hide behind a screen has greatly impacted our generation and has created a group of less social individuals. This increase of technology also makes information much more accessible for everyone, including misinformation. Social media is heavily influenced by politics, from political ads on the explore page, to mass reposting on stories, social media has become a tool for political influence especially towards younger generations.

Our generation puts a larger emphasis on equality, inclusion, and diversity. Topics that older generations were often disinterested in. Our generation (Generation Z) also puts a large emphasis on mental health, unlike other generations where there wasn’t a space for mental health conversations. When it comes to careers, our generation is much more focused on finding jobs they enjoy, that align with their personal values, and finding work places where they are supported.

Generation Z is often looked down upon by other generations calling them lazy, unmotivated, poor mannered, and childish. Part of this assumption is likely due to Gen Z’s interest in activities that are generally considered for younger audiences. Collecting squishmallows, building legos, and watching cartoons are just a few bullets on the long list of activities popular among this generation.  But are these things really true, is this generation what everyone says they are? Are they victims of their own selves, their pride? Or do they deserve more credit? Lets ask the experts: the generation themselves.

Criticising relatable subjects such as “things I hate”, while applying single swipes of concealer, TikTok Influencers such as elm0zwrld on Tiktok create a comedic appeal to judgmental commentary. By commenting on “people that make such a big deal on girls or guys wearing makeup to the pool” many creators, around ages 13-18, join new trends, introducing a transformation across our generation.

With 91% of kids owning phones by the age of 14 according to a report by Common Sense, our population has redefined childhood, an essential stage of development. While older generations reminisce on toys, games, and listen to top summer hits on Coast 104.5, today’s children have grown heavily immersed in platforms such as Tiktok and Instagram, saturated with viral trends, memes, and pop culture; molding their understanding of individuality and self-expression.

Opening a gate to a spectrum of communities, social media has led to strong political opinions skyrocketing among a younger audience. Social media serves as a vital source of information for many students at PRHS.

“Although [information] may be skewed towards an opinion, there’s ways that we can access our information instead of just learning about [politics] from the news or from our parents.” senior Santiago Ordonez said. 

Additionally, Ordonez explained that this information will benefit future generations, such as it did with Gen Z. 

Despite the majority of political media being targeted towards younger adults, 51% of Gen Z teens do NOT identify with a major political party, compared to 43% of Gen Z adults, according to prri.org, a non-profit research organization.

This disconnection from traditional political marketing has highlighted the inevitable shift in our generation, notably affected by viral issues. Social media is a powerful source of entertainment amongst teens but can also become a vital source of information. Serving as a tool to attract a spectrum of attention, movements such as Black Lives Matter, Free Palestine, and Pro Choice have grown immensely through social media. 

Whether it be 100 to 1 million followers, anyone has the possibility to become viral and build their own community on social media. Both content creators and content consumers these days are finding their passion online through their For You Page, while Gen X experienced discovery outside technologies’ limitations.

Bringing a new lifestyle often leads to self discovery for this generation. Content creators can create a brand for themselves such as James Charles’ Painted, but the line is blurred when inappropriate behavior is showcased as humorous for young audiences.

From clicking one video to another, children are drawn to acting more like their favorite creators. Infamous Twitch Streamer, IShowSpeed is a prime example of inappropriate content. Through various clips, Speed is seen disrespecting women, being racist, having destructive tantrums, and lighting fireworks inside his bedroom, all in his Twitch channel.

 “I feel like [kids] have become more disrespectful because [streamers] are showing that it’s okay to be disrespectful in public, compared to [modest] people.” senior Kenyon Rickson said

Social media has created a platform where fame and money has driven individuals to act on problematic behavior, oftenly convincing children that its ideals to act out what they see online. This fixation on social media has ultimately led to future generations being scarred by what Gen Z presented as entertainment. 

“When I was a kid I always wanted to be a baseball player, but now [with kids] it’s like, I want to be a TikToker!” Rickson said

In the society Generation Z’s teenagers are experiencing, adolescents have become more consciously aware and more connected digitally with others than ever before. Reflecting on past generations, Millennials grew up during the discovery of the internet and digital media, and the Baby Boomers developed through the era of economic prosperity, changes to the education system, and lived through the Vietnam War. How do PRHS’ Gen Z students contrast from students five years ago? Or 10 years ago?

With exposure to social media apps like TikTok, Snapchat, or Instagram, older adults may believe Gen Z has an easier life. According to Pew Research Center, several parents voiced that 47%of the reason life is easier for teens is due to technology. From a differing perspective, 18% of parents expressed that fewer expectations and pressure were the reason teens have an easier life. (Pew Research Center)

When asked about the negative developments of technology, History teacher Seth Draine explained, “I do notice that it is hard today to get students to talk and share ideas in class…But I don’t assign that to any generation today compared to the past. We live in way too different environments to make that comparison. It’s easy to blame COVID or social media, but I think our society has been moving in this direction for a while.” Although there are adults who may feel there are less issues when it comes to obtaining resources, communicating, or having fewer expectations in the life of a teenager, being a teen might not be as easy as it appears. 

Teenagers tend to be overcome with expectations including planning ahead for the future at 15, or taking on responsibilities with a job, keeping grades up, and participating in extracurriculars. The awareness of adult realities such as preparing for plans after high school, or learning how to manage a work life have been brought onto teens and reminds them of the obstacles they have to face. Managing independence in regards to performing duties and tasks also play as another concern for teens. Meaning, the new responsibilities teens will have to take over  duties and tasks their parents usually did, when living with them; affording a home, taxes, financial expenses, cooking, budgeting, and so forth. Despite the beneficial aspects of the available resources that teens have to be able to understand the demands for society and adult life, some teens may still crave the fun, and enjoyment childhood brought. 

Being a child can provide an innocent world view before the burdens of the world are placed on their shoulders.  In an article from Psychology Today, Psychologist Carl Pickhardt informs that the cause of a child lingering for their childhood starts with loss. “Whenever I think about a child’s entry into early adolescence (around ages 9 -13), I am reminded of the extraordinary title of Thomas Wolf’s novel, ‘You Can’t Go Home Again.’ For me, these words capture the irredeemable loss that young people must endure and the daunting challenge that they must brave as they depart from childhood and face the great unknowns of growing up.” The memories of childhood reflect past enjoyments. For instance, playing dress up, drawing pictures, collecting toys, or playing on a playground were past activities Generation Z loved to revel in. 

 In an interview with Your Teen Magazine, Psychologist Lisa Damour shared her beliefs on why teens engage in childhood activities “They’re putting themselves in a time machine to when things felt less stressful and they had more mastery in life,” (Your Teen Magazine).

Spanish Teacher, Jennifer Fuller spoke on how she felt that having an aspect of your childhood is necessary. 

“I think it’s important to play. I think it’s important to take some time and color, or go look at nature, collect rocks or things that kids have more of a tendency to do. I think it’s good for adults to do things like that and try to see the world that way, “ Fuller said. 

The two sided perspectives manifest a bittersweet nostalgia that acknowledges the content of childhood, and future pressures childhood sealed from us.