They are sometimes referred to as zoomers. Birth years are defined by researchers and the media as beginning in the mid-to-late 1990s and ending in the early 2010s. The majority of Generation Z comprises older Millennials or the offspring of Generation X. Even though they are not necessarily technologically proficient, members of Generation Z have been termed "digital natives" since they are the first social generation to have grown up with access to the Internet and portable digital devices from a young age. Furthermore, compared to younger children, the detrimental impacts of screen use are more noticeable in teens. Members of Generation Z have been dubbed "digital natives" despite not always being tech savvy since they are the first generation in social circles to have grown up with access to the Internet and portable digital gadgets from an early age. Additionally, teenagers are more aware of the negative effects of screen use than younger children are. Teenage sexting has become more common, yet little is known about the long-term effects of this behaviour. Although they have become more subdued, youth subcultures have not vanished. One of the main themes of youth culture in the 2010s and 2020s is nostalgia.

ARTS AND CULTURES

• Happiness and personal value

According to The Economist, compared to other generations, Generation Z is more well-educated, well-mannered, worried, and depressed. They discovered that, on the whole, 59% of Gen Z youngsters were content with the circumstances in their personal lives. Nigeria (78%) and Indonesia (90%) produced the happiest young people, while South Korea (29%) and Japan (28%) produced the least happy young people. Researchers deducted the percentage of respondents who reported being sad from the percentage of respondents who reported being happy to arrive at the total "happiness score" for each nation. Being in good bodily and mental health (94%) and having positive relationships with family members and friends (92%) were ranked as the main causes of happiness. Male and younger respondents tended to be happier overall. At 44%, religious faith ranked lowest. However, for Gen Z youth from Indonesia (93%), Nigeria (86%), Turkey (71%), China, and Brazil (both 70%), religion was a significant source of happiness. Money (51%) and education (46%) were the main causes of anxiety and stress; social media and having access to necessities (such food and water) came in last, both at 10%.

• Common culture

Youth subcultures that were as influential as those of the late 20th century became less common and quieter in the 2000s and especially in the 2010s, at least offline and not always online. They also became more ironic and self-conscious because of the constant awareness of peer surveillance. For example, rather than popular culture, glamour, or materialism, young people in Germany seem more interested in a more conventional lifestyle with aspirations like completing school, purchasing a home in the suburbs, keeping friendships and family ties, and secure jobs.

• Reading habit

Tom Nicholson, a child development psychologist in New Zealand, saw a significant drop in schoolchildren's reading and vocabulary usage, with many of them refusing to consult dictionaries. A 2008 National Education Monitoring Project study found that approximately one in five four- and eight-year students read books for pleasure, a ten percent decrease from 2000. According to a 2019 National Literacy Trust poll, the percentage of individuals under the age of 18 who read for at least part of the day was just 26%, the lowest since statistics have been kept in 2005. As people grew older, their interest in reading for pleasure decreased; those who were five to eight years old were twice as likely to say they enjoyed reading as those who were fourteen to sixteen years old. When it came to voluntary reading, there was a clear gender difference: just 47% of males and 60% of girls reported reading for pleasure. Three out of every four kids said they had a hard time finding engaging reading material.

ECONOMIC TRENDS

• Consumption

When it comes to ordering and doing their research, Generation Z consumers usually turn to the Internet. They have a propensity for scepticism and will avoid companies whose behaviours and beliefs conflict. Fear of missing out (FOMO), peer pressure, and trends pushed by "influencers" on social media all have a big impact on what they buy. One of the main drivers is the desire to appear "trendy". While most Westerners may indicate to pollsters that they support certain ideals, like "environmental consciousness," their actual purchases do not align with their stated beliefs. This is evident in their strong desire for fast fashion, or inexpensive but flimsy clothing, or in their preference for prompt delivery.

• Employment

The COVID-19 epidemic, according to the International Labour Organisation (ILA), has increased youth unemployment, albeit unevenly. In Africa, it was 12.7%, in Latin America it was 20.5%, and in North America, it was 8.3% as of 2022. Chinese young people are having difficulty finding jobs at the beginning of the next decade. A university education doesn't really help. In fact, people without a university degree have a lower unemployment rate since education and the labour market do not align well. In June 2023, roughly one-fifth of Chinese adults between the ages of 16 and 24 were unemployed. Despite the difficult state of the German economy, some public officials are advocating for shorter work weeks at the same pay levels. Similar circumstances exist in other European nations.

HEALTH ISSUES

• Mental

Teens and young adults are generally more susceptible to anxiety and depression because of the changes that occur in the brain during puberty. While mental health issues have become worse for persons of all ages as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the increase was most pronounced for those in the 15 to 24 age range. According to a 2021 meta-analysis, the average age at which depressive disorder and generalised anxiety disorder begin to manifest worldwide is 19.5 years and 15.5 years, respectively. According to UNICEF research from 2021, 13% of children aged ten to nineteen worldwide had a diagnosed mental health illness, and suicide ranked as the fourth most common cause of death for children aged fifteen to nineteen. It stated that the "disruption to routines, education, recreation, as well as concern for family income, health and increase in stress and anxiety, [caused by the COVID-19 pandemic] is leaving many children and young people feeling afraid, angry and concerned for their future." It further stated that mental health services had been severely impacted by the pandemic. The issue has been made worse by worry about climate change. While suicide rates among males are still higher than those among females, young girls have become more likely to commit suicide in numerous countries during the 2010s. It is up for contention, nevertheless, whether or not this is related to the usage of social media and smartphones.

• Sleep deprivation

Modern youths are experiencing an increase in sleep deprivation. This can be attributed to a number of factors, including coffee consumption, overly warm beds, a mismatch between social demands and biologically preferred sleep schedules around puberty, insomnia, increasing homework loads, and participating in an excessive number of extracurricular activities. Low mood, poorer emotional regulation, anxiety, sadness, a higher risk of self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and reduced cognitive performance are all effects of sleep deprivation. Teens and young adults who enjoy staying up late also frequently exhibit high levels of anxiety, impulsivity, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use.

Despite obstacles like economic instability and ecological disruption, Generation Z is committed to changing the world for the better. Their fervour lies in social justice concerns, and they seek to establish a fairer community for posterity. Gen Z has the power to create a better future for all of us with their creative thinking and desire for change.

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