Photo by Mikhail Nilov from Pixabay
“Get off your phone!”
It’s not difficult for the parents of today’s teens to remember the last time they said this phrase. Most don’t have to think back more than a few days. At best, the phrase is an occasional reminder; at worst, it’s a constant nag. Because of their constant reminders, parents assume that their teens lack important life skills. Delegation and drive in their kids, they suppose, are a thing of the past.
Characterized by pessimists for being lazy and disrespectful, Generation Z is burdened by the stereotype of youth, not uncommon but somewhat more aggressive than in the past. Generation Z (also called Gen Z), those born between 1995 and 2009, makes up almost thirty percent of the world’s population. The global youth population has historically been looked down upon, but criticisms have grown into full-blown accusations of incompetence and lack of effort. Gen Z has grown up with technology at their fingertips – literally, as smartphone touchscreens were invented in 2007, allowing the oldest Gen Z-ers access, at age 12, to overwhelmingly become the most frequent users of social media.
The popularity of apps such as Instagram and TikTok has skyrocketed, doubling as entertainment as well as news sources for many, allowing young voters to stay informed in ways that are engaging and effective for them. Democratic politicians such as U.S. Senator-elect John Fetterman (D-PA) and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D-NY) use social media regularly and in personal ways, mimicking Gen Z and appealing to their desire for truth and connection. Much like their increased participation in protests and public activism, young people seek authenticity in the people they vote for. Despite the skepticism of older generations, news outlets are shifting their focus to social media with much success. The New York Times, for example, has more than sixteen million followers on Instagram.
Due to the direct effect of many laws on teens and young adults, Gen Z voters are taking political stances on various issues that decide the future of themselves and their peers. For instance, anti-transgender legislation affects kids as young as the age of three, and restrictions on abortion are relevant for most females starting at puberty. With political polarization on the rise, Gen Z places careful attention on their relationships, discussing previously sensitive topics such as mental health with their peers. Gen Z is also normalizing the conversation around politics, straying away from the cautious attitude around partisan issues, and diving into them instead.
Most importantly, Gen Z’s interest in social issues is at the foundation of how they vote. The Republican “red wave” predicted in the recent mid-term elections did not materialize, thanks to a huge turnout of Democratic voters, particularly those under the age of 30. President Joe Biden’s low approval rating was a particular focus for pollsters and pundits. However, exit polls indicated that young voters, motivated by issues such as abortion and the environment, cast their votes for Democratic candidates whom they believed to be more supportive of their views. Gen Z’s support of such candidates helped thwart a “red wave” in a mid-term election that defied the historical trend in which the president’s party suffers heavy losses. Of course, Gen Z alone did not decide the election. But their turnout, the second highest in thirty years, indicates that they are very concerned about the state of their country and the world. In Florida, “even amid a Democratic wipeout,” voters elected the first Gen-Z member of Congress, 25-year-old Maxwell Frost (Time).
Despite their impact, negative assumptions of Gen Z are still widespread, even among their caregivers. Many parents worry about the amount of time that their kids spend on screens, wasting their potential by misusing technology. While not untrue, this stereotype does not encompass the many positive traits of today’s youth. The number of young voters who showed up for the midterm elections this month is astonishing and proves that despite their attachment to their phones – perhaps because of their presence on social media – Gen Z showed up ready to make their views known.
Though Gen Zers are sometimes accused of being overly concerned about their image, they are at the forefront of destigmatizing mental health. And though they’re nagged for being on their phones, they use them in a most effective way: to seek truth.
The next time you doubt a Gen Z-er for being uptight, or vain, or distracted, whether you’re younger, older, or perhaps one yourself, think twice, because they’re already thinking about tomorrow.
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