GENERATION Z

What Does Gen Z Mean?

The Quick Answer

Generation Z is the generation born after Gen Y (the "millennial generation") and before Gen A (the current youngest generation). It is generally accepted that children of Gen Z were born between 1997 and 2009.

Digital Natives

Generation Z, (usually referred to as "Gen Z" and sometimes as "Zoomers"), are the first true digital natives. Born with smartphones in hand, they are undisputed iKids, known for their tech-savviness, social consciousness, and diversity. They have grown up with the internet and social media, which has made them incredibly connected but also potentially screen-dependent, socially incompetent, and plagued by mental health problems. And who can blame them for struggling in the world they have inherited? Thanks to the incompetence and arrogance of Baby Boomers, the children of Gen Z were the first generation to grow up in a world threatened by climate change and in which active-shooter drills are the norm in classrooms.

Clashing With the Non-iKids

In the so-called "intergenerational war," Gen Z usually find themselves on the side of the Millennials, joining in the critique of Baby Boomers and Gen X. They tend to be vocal about issues like climate change, social justice, and economic inequality, leveraging social media to amplify their voices, using platforms like TikTok and Twitter to rally support and raise awareness. However, they also sometimes clash with Millennials over cultural and societal values.

Key Takeaways

Birth Years: 1997-2009.
Defining Positive Traits: Adaptable and quick learners, open-minded and inclusive, skilled multitaskers.
Defining Negative Traits: Overly reliant on technology, struggle with face-to-face communication, tend to prioritize identity politics.

Image for Gen Z

When I write Gen Z, I mean this:

Gen Z are the first true digital natives.

Summary of Key Points

We have summarized the key points in the table below:

Gen Z
Definition:	Generation Born between 1997 and 2009
Type:	Word
Guessability:	4: Difficult to guess
Typical Users:	Adults, Teenagers, and Under 13s

An Academic Look at Gen Z

image for academic look, showing a teacher with a mortar board

"Gen Z" and "Generation Z" are noun phrases. "Generation" is a noun that refers to a group of people born and living around the same time, "Z" acts as a modifier, specifying which generation is being referred to. Together, "Gen Z" functions as a noun phrase, which means it serves as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence.