Millennials were the first generation to come of age during the digital revolution, but that honor is about to pass on to Gen Z. The youngest members of Generation Z are just now entering elementary school, while the oldest is graduating from college and beginning their careers.
We know lots of things about Gen Z already: they’re huge, they’re diverse, and they’re growing up with smartphones in their hands and tablets by their sides.
But what do we actually know about how they behave? Can we actually tell if there are any differences between Gen X, millennials, and these new kids on the block? It seems like we can and if so, it looks like a lot of things are going to change.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Generation Z’s approach to adulthood is distinct from millennials, reflecting their unique experiences and upbringing. |
| 2. Understanding the mindset and aspirations of Generation Z is crucial for anticipating future trends and societal changes. |
| 3. The future of work will likely be influenced by Generation Z’s preferences and demands for flexibility and meaningful careers. |
| 4. Adapting to the changing needs and expectations of Generation Z will be essential for businesses and institutions to thrive. |
| 5. Research and studies on Generation Z provide valuable insights into their values, challenges, and potential impact on various industries. |
1. They’re Saving More Than Millennials Ever Did
No generation has ever been as financially responsible as the Gen Zers. Millennials were notorious for their poor savings habits, but baby boomers weren’t any better. Gen Z is different: in fact, they’re saving more than millennials ever did.
Why? Because they want to be able to afford their own place and make their own choices in life! Whether you’re talking about traveling or getting married or starting a business (or all three), the cost of living keeps going up and up; it’s almost impossible to get by without some sort of savings account in place.
Plus, we live longer than our parents did so even if we don’t have children yet, we still need somewhere else besides Mommy & Daddy’s couch where we can spend our golden years after retirement age rolls around.
These days there are lots of ways for young people today who have jobs but no loans on them yet are still putting money away into some kind of investment plan that could potentially help them later down the road when financial independence becomes reality instead just being something abstractly talked about between friends over coffee dates.”
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2. They’re Spending Less Money Than Millennials Did
Unlike millennials, Gen Z is not spending as much money. In fact, they’re saving more than previous generations and spending less on things like clothes and cars. They’re also spending more time with their families and friends than millennials did in the same age group.
This means that they’re able to spend more time on their education, hobbies, and personal interests instead of having to worry about getting a job (or making ends meet).
3. They’re Relying On Traditional Media A Lot More Than Millennials Have
Generation Z is more likely to watch TV, read books and listen to the radio than Millennials, according to research by The Leading Edge (TLE). The report found that they are also subscribing to more print media products: newspapers and magazines in particular.
They’re also slightly less likely to be digital news readers than Millennials, but overall they’re still a very digital generation. In fact, when it comes down to it, Gen Z spends only about half as much time-consuming content each day as their older counterparts do which makes sense given all the other things they have going on!
4. They’re Just Beginning To Embrace Social Media
In terms of social media use, Gen Z has not yet reached the levels that millennials did. Only 28% of Gen Zers use social media every day, compared to 42% of millennials.
They are also far less likely to be on Instagram or Snapchat, with only 26% being active on these platforms (compared to 35% of millennials). This is especially surprising given that they have grown up in an environment where smartphones and tablets have been ubiquitous since birth.
This means that they don’t necessarily need or want a smartphone in order to access the same content as their older counterparts do—they could just go online via their computers instead!
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5. They Don’t Like Facebook As Much As Millennials Do
You may be wondering why this generation prefers to speak over the phone rather than text. It may have something to do with their parents’ influence: Gen Zers grew up in an era where technology was not as readily available, and this may make them more likely to communicate face-to-face.
Additionally, Gen Zers care about privacy much more than millennials did at their age. In fact, about 96% of GenZers surveyed said they would prefer a secure messaging option over one that saves everything online for later viewing by anyone even if it means losing out on certain conveniences.
This preference for privacy makes sense when you consider how many kids were born into a world where every minute detail of their lives is recorded and stored online forever (or until someone hacks into your account).
6. They Prefer Texting To Call Or Emailing
As a generation, Gen Z has grown up using their phones as their primary form of communication. Texting is seen as more convenient than calling or emailing because it’s faster and easier to get your point across without having to worry about the other person understanding your tone or inflection.
This makes them perfect for those quick conversations where you just need something done right away but don’t want to spend too much time on it.
Texting also works well if you have something complicated or important that needs communicating in writing (like an essay). It’s easier than trying to explain yourself over the phone and less awkward than asking someone out on a date face-to-face (which is actually very rarely done anymore).
7. They Like Talking On The Phone More Than Millennials Do, Not Less
It might seem like the most common reason people use a phone is to talk to other people, but that’s not actually true. According to a 2018 study by Google and ComScore, only 40% of Americans still talk on their phones regularly.
In fact, texting has overtaken talking as the primary use for mobile devices in America; we now send 2 trillion text messages per year twice as many as we make phone calls (1 trillion).
But if you’re thinking that Gen Zers would be even less likely than millennials to want to sit down and discuss things face-to-face.. think again!
One thing that sets this generation apart from their predecessors is how much they love talking on the phone, not just text messaging or instant messaging over social media channels like Facebook Messenger or Twitter DMs.
Their affinity for traditional telephonic communication has been documented by multiple sources:
A 2017 study found that 69% of Gen Zers don’t want any sort of video call feature added to their smartphones because they prefer talking via audio rather than sight;
another survey from 2019 found close to 80% preferred using landlines over cell phones, and yet another report showed that 42% believe it’s easier to have meaningful conversations when communicating via telephone rather than online methods such as email or chat rooms compared with only 29% who feel this way about video calls (the rest said no difference).
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8. They Want To Take Care Of Physical Products That Are Well
While the majority of Gen Z will still be comfortable with online shopping, many want to purchase items in person. This is because they’re interested in taking care of physical products rather than only focusing on their virtual counterparts.
Gen Zers are much more environmentally conscious than previous generations and have increased awareness about how our consumption impacts the world around us.
This means that when they buy things, they want them to last so as not to add unnecessary waste into landfills or oceans, and believe me, this includes everything from clothing to electronics to food products (we’ll get more into this later).
9. It’s Probably Because They’ve Seen The Impact Of Waste Firsthand
Gen Z has been exposed to a variety of viewpoints, and they’ve seen the impact that waste can have on the environment.
The generation currently makes up 25% of the population in America, which is more than any other before it. They’re also more diverse than any previous generation they include people who are Latino or Hispanic, Black or African American, and Asian.
The majority of Gen Zers have access to smartphones and social media accounts at young ages; many even have their own devices before entering high school (which was unheard of in previous generations).
Because they grew up with technology so integral to their lives, it makes sense that they’d feel more comfortable using it when communicating with others as adults.
However, while this means they’re used to communicating digitally on a regular basis now and might not know what an actual phone call sounds like it doesn’t mean all communication takes place over text messages alone!
10. They Care About Climate Change More Than Their Older Contemporaries Do
Generation Z is a generation that has grown up in an era of record-breaking natural disasters and global warming.
As a result, they are more aware of the impact of climate change and are more environmentally conscious than their parents’ generation which means that they might be less likely to drive long distances or use fossil fuels.
The actions they take may vary from person to person based on factors such as income level or geographical location, but overall, it’s likely that Generation Z will handle adult life in a very different way than Millennials did (who were also largely environmentally conscious).
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12. Gen Z Is Bigger And More Diverse Than Any Generation Before Them
You’re probably wondering how Gen Z is so much bigger than the generation before it. Well, the answer lies in the fact that Gen Z is more diverse than any previous generation.
Whether you’re looking at race, ethnicity, sexuality, or gender expression this generation has a wider range of identities than any before it.
If you’ve ever tried to figure out what your friend’s sexual orientation might be based on their clothing choices or music taste (if they could even be bothered to tell you), then this might sound familiar: Gen Z’ers already have a lot less patience for labels.
Gen Z is also more racially and ethnically diverse than any previous generation1: 55% of Gen Z’ers identify as multiracial compared with just 1% for Millennials and Baby Boomers at their age1. In addition: 61% say they don’t feel defined by their race2.
This means that not only do these young people have different ideas about racial identity from one another, but they also have different ideas about who can identify as what
This will create some challenges when it comes to understanding each other’s experiences but luckily there are some tools available right now that could help bridge this gap between generations (like our diversity quiz!).
Generation Z is a force to be reckoned with, and their career aspirations are quite distinct from previous generations. Unravel the dreams and desires of this young workforce as we delve into what freelancers from Generation Z want from their career and how they plan to make a mark on the world.
Conclusion
But the bottom line is that these kids, who are going to grow up to be America’s future workforce, are already showing some key differences from the generation before them.
They’re less interested in spending money on new things and more likely to care about the environment around them. They don’t all have smartphones, but they still want to communicate with their friends.
And they’re interested in learning about how the world works through traditional media sources like books and magazines.
Those are just some of the big ways Generation Z will change how we live our adult lives once they get there, so keep your eye on this group they’ll be making waves sooner than you think!
Further Reading
8 Ways Generation Z Will Differ from Millennials in the WorkplaceExplore the significant differences between Generation Z and millennials in the workplace and how they approach work-related challenges.
Differences Between Gen Z and MillennialsGain insights into the distinctive characteristics that set Generation Z apart from millennials and how these differences impact various aspects of life.
On the Cusp of Adulthood and Facing an Uncertain Future: What We Know About Gen Z So FarDelve into the research on Generation Z, exploring their perspectives, challenges, and expectations as they navigate the journey into adulthood.
FAQs
What are the key differences between Generation Z and millennials?
Generation Z and millennials belong to distinct age groups, each with unique characteristics and experiences that shape their worldviews and behaviors.
How does Generation Z approach work and career development?
Generation Z exhibits different attitudes and preferences when it comes to work and career growth, reflecting the changing landscape of the modern job market.
What challenges do Generation Z face as they enter adulthood?
As Generation Z transitions into adulthood, they encounter a range of uncertainties and challenges, stemming from societal shifts and technological advancements.
How do Generation Z’s aspirations and goals differ from millennials?
Generation Z has its own set of aspirations and objectives that set them apart from the previous generation, influencing their life choices and ambitions.
What insights do research studies provide about Generation Z?
Research studies shed light on various aspects of Generation Z’s life, including their values, beliefs, social interactions, and perspectives on the future.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.