Simply speaking, these are the people born between 1996-2010. Their identity is digital age, climate anxiety and Covid19. This is the generation that comes after the Millennials. The next generation is Generation Alpha. The first Gen Zers were born when the internet has achieved widespread use. Hence these people are called ‘Digital Natives’. This is the generation that grew up with internet as a part of their life! This generation has a wide range – the oldest has jobs, loans & credit cards; the youngest are in their pre-teens.
It is difficult to define the concept of generation. Each generation has unique individuals, their own opinions, values, behaviors and plans for future. The unique characteristics of Gen Z are as follows:
1. These are the first digital natives. They are always online. They work, shop, date, and make friends online.
2. They turn to internet for any kind of information, news and reviews before making a purchase. They oscillate between sites, apps and social media. This is their eco-system.
3. Gen Z is synonymous with Video sharing, Reels and Tiktok. They discuss online their passions and interests with others. They game & K-Pop (for Korean popular music – popular music originating in South Korea).
4. Gen Z has huge health issues. Surveys indicate mental illness, self-stigma and feminism. They are bothered of global unrest, wars, financial crises, climatic anxiety & pandemic.
5. Gen Z is seeing less economic opportunities and no savings. They will have to face less pensions and insurance too.
6. Gen Z is idealists & progressive dreamers. They believe, often online, that they are doing their part for climate change & for equality.
7. Gen Z people demand accountability & purpose.
The value system of Gen Z relates to racial justice, sustainability and global climate marches. This generation calls for reforms on personal, public and global scales to prevent future catastrophe.
Gen Z loves expressive clothes and changing life-style. Their trend changing habits supported by fast Fashion retailers. They subscribe to steaming music platforms than buying films or music. They use mobile pay, app-based services and online transactions. These are those who live in a perpetual dream called ONLINE.
About the Author
Dr. K. Raja Gopal Reddy is a seasoned internationally qualified Insurance professional.
What you are reading here, may not answer all the questions we have, but has the absolute power of asking unsettling questions which increase the interest in the strange world, and show the contradictory wonders lying just below the surface of the commonest things of life. Look at this disturbing but beautiful thought of Friedrich Nietzsche “God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him”.
Dr. Reddy can be reached at: raja66gopal@gmail.com
