I’m Gen Z ask me anything

[Buffybot12]

I’ve read a lot of threads on here recently about Gen Z - how we dress, how we act in the workplace, how covid has affected us etc. I’m a University student and thought it might be interesting to hear some of it from my perspective as I don’t think there are as many late teens early 20s on mumsnet (I joined for the disability support and then became addicted to parking threads).

@DiscoBob i don’t think my views are particularly controversial but I think the topic as a whole currently is.

It's cool, I get it. Thank you. X

What do you think the wider impact of social media is on young people?
Do you think lives are lived out more performatively as a result?
Do you think young people are more self conscious and image conscious as a result?
What do you think the impact is of everything being available online - are young people lonelier as a result?

Yes too all three. I think we’re much lonelier and we also feel more isolated - we’re constantly seeing people out having fun with their friends and it makes us feel lonely. The one I don’t think is talked about enough is the loss of attention span - I really try and have time away from my phone and read books but it’s hard - information has become short and sensational and our brains have adjusted.

What is dating culture like?

do you ever watch old shows and things like that seemed simplee?

Are you a generation which has had photos of themselves on the internet since they were kids (ir parents putting you on facebook?) how do you feel about that?

also do you read books?

Hi op. Great thread.

What one challenge and one advantage do you think distinguishes you as a GenZee?

I hear you re sense of humour. My DD is nearly 20 and although we do laugh at a lot of the same things, there’s a type of internet/meme humour she and her friends enjoy that I find completely unfunny. But there are probably older types of comedy that her Dad and I enjoy that she doesn’t. We do have more overlap than we do differences though. Same with music preferences.

Online dating is very common as is "hookup culture" and "talking stages". Theres definetly more of a fear of commitment. In some ways I think theres a lot less casual sex than millenials though probably due to the decreased drinking culture.

I definetly prefer older shows! As you can probably tell I love Buffy the Vampire slayer. It does seem like a simpler time to live - if you don't live on a hellmouth...

Dead against parents putting photos of their kids on the internet. My mum always felt strongly against it and I'm grateful for that but a lot of my parents generation didn't and so I do have friends who have been plastered across social media all their lives against their wishes. I feel Genz will be less likely to do that with their kids.

@Newsenmum I love books and write about them on substack as a hobby. But thats much more a me thing. I do find my attention span got a lot worse when I installed tiktok so I make an effort to avoid that and stick with my books!

I think the challenge and the advantage are the same thing for my generation - technology. The internet helped us massively during Covid, has helped my education, increased scientific knowledge, connected communities and furthered healthcare. But it's also isolated us, polarised us, AI is making the job market impossible to navigate and I firmly believe working from home is terrible for my generation which is possible due to tech.

I'm interested in what you say about a lack of attention span. What would have helped you or your friends develop your concentration do you think?

Even my granny says her attention span has gone since she got a smartphone. We're not bored anymore our brain craves constant dopamine hits from short videos on our phone. I find setting firm limits helps (I have a screentime lock). I honestly would support a ban on smartphones for under 16s. I also wish things would move back more to being in person. I tried to give up my smartphone but I need it for everything - even to log on to do my uni essays. I hate feeling constantly connected - emails and texts at all time - and sometimes just want to feel fully alone.

@Buffybot12 tech- curse and blessing

• agree

Do you speak on the phone with your friends?

Yes! Though FaceTime is probably more common

Hello OP! I'm Gen X - what perceptions do you and your fellow Gen Z-ers have of Gen X?

As a parents of a soon to be Y7 Gen-Alpha child, and who is trying to hold off smartphones as long as possible, I am very reassured by your negativity towards them. I feel like I am doing the right thing by my child.

What age did you have access to social media? And how do you think this has affected you and your peers growing up?

What age did you get a phone and did your parents worry about letting you have one?

Gen X is my parents generation so I think most of us probably think of our parents. I think it’s interesting that in the media gen x are rarely talked about. It seems there’s loads of news articles on boomers, millennials and gen z but not gen X. I think Gen X can be slightly naive about my generation and some of the difficulties we face. Top tier music taste though!

I think the thing is it needs to be a blanket ban - im unsure how this would be enforceable - because when teens tell you their being left out of things with no smartphone they’re not lying - so much socialising is done online. I think if I was parenting now I’d allow texting and an instagram on private that’s checked and has screen time so they’re not left out. I was allowed when starting high school and to be honest I was always really sensible with my social media so I don’t think my parents worried too much. I got really into crafting and would watch a lot of crotchet videos online which I think is an example of “positive” social media. I think a lot of it comes down to the kid and their environment. I don’t think I wish my parents had done anything differently just that my environment was different.

I think Gen X avoids media attention because we sit on the sidelines watching with amusement while the other Generations battle it out 😂

Thank you for acknowledging our excellent music 🎼