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Generation Z: Born in the digital age

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FOMO? Or is it FOO, Fear of Obsolescence?

The missing out may be splitting hairs, but the psychology of Obsolescence is more threatening. Shifting technology becomes boring and yesterday's fad is tomorrow's yawn. Not keeping up is more dangerous because if you're not in, you're out. And that's a real concern the younger you are.

Of course, every generation has it's thing. Every parent has their fears. Every sociologist has their theory. One thing always happens, people get old. Snap shots of fears and theories are easy to make. But what new and wonderful reality GenZ creates is the real test of the impact of today's "thing".

"These are children of the crisis and it shows in their outlook. Most of them say they are “stressed out” by what they see as a bleak future, especially in terms of economy and environment." - article

Technology may find answers for these fears, (and may be creating more than a few of its own) and what generation hasn't had fears? Another thing that always happens is adaptation. It's probably too early to make any real conclusions about post 1995 technologies, except one, technologies have raised expectations. One may hope GenZ isn't too disappointed after finding out no matter how shiny the wrapper, its what's inside that makes life worth living.

Older people are always going to wonder what's going on inside the shiny young mind and heart, hopefully, they won't be disappointed either. But, young or old, that's what everyone is hoping for.

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I find it amusing to see babies fascinated by the magic screen. And I have even seen children from about age one to three playing with their mother's cell phone ... and they seem to already know what those push buttons are all about. As these babies/small children are part of GenZ, they are growing up with two brains ... their own and that of the gadget they will be closely linked to as they grow up.

Would love to be around 20 years from now to see what new gadgets will be intriguing the youngsters (and adults) of tomorrow.

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I don't not do sports not only because I don't like them, but because I get tired quickly. I think I have anemia and I don't get hungry a lot so I don't eat a lot, in my opinion. I also hate steak.

I do not have a Facebook and I do not see the need for one. I hate that site. I think I used to have patience but I used it all up.

I am aware of a world without internet. I know them. Mutants? That is a degrading and derogatory name, in my opinion.

I don't want everything. Yes, I can multi-task. No, I don't want a smartphone. I don't feel the need for a phone, and only because I can save money that way, and help my parents save money.

I respect my elders, and I think I'm out-of-date with society. I can't remember anything past Magcon. I remember when I forgot all about Magcon and I thought Ashton Irwin was from Magcon . . .

I like those movies, and I hate twerking; I think it's nasty. I hate the new slang in my opinion.

I have never watched PewDiePie. Yes, I think I am socially awkward. I don't like online dating or dating in general, I think it is gross.

True.

Yes, I have.

Maybe.

Actually, I believe I have a good attention span. Yes, I do skim read; but I do take the details in and that's because I'm so eager and excited to read the book. These are stereotypes, in my opinion.

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Making wrong assumptions based on generational generalisations is nothing new. I'm supposed to be GenY. According to descriptions on GenY I was born into a time when amongst other things internet use & computers at home was the norm. That's way off. Most GenY people I know born around my time did not grow up with the internet. Most did not own computers, although a lot of us had Sega Master Systems & Nintendo consoles. At school we had the monochrome style computers (green text on black background) & no internet for most of primary school. High school saw the intro of newer computers & the internet (IE the main search engine). At this point more of us were getting computers but many still did not have internet access. Basic mobile phones didnt even get seen around my school until I was in year 11.

Interestingly I found that rather than being optimistic about the future most of my classmates & I were incredibly cynical (although listening to Metallica's early albums on repeat could do that to anyone). When I piece it all together most of the kids in my year were a lot more like the "whatever generation" (GenX).

Being the last generation to experience the world without internet (not refusing to use internet but simply it not even existing for public use) is probably the "special snowflake definitive thing" for my generation.

Have to say I've met some GenZ's that fit the article explanation here indefinitely but I know lots more that hate facebook, smartphones, etc. Once again, take generational generalisations with a pinch of salt.

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Previous post I meant "certainly", oops, not "indefinitely".

@edojin, I do marvel at how tech savvy some of the kids are these days. I have 5 primary aged cousins that are streets ahead of me in the tech department compared to what I knew at that same age.

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If there were a Good Lord, I'd thank him that I am not of Generation Z.

Some observations. I currently teach generation Z. The are COMPLETELY screen device obsessed - they reflexively, compulsively reach for these things at almost every opportunity. Their world is cyber. They are conditioned to take very small, flash snippets of information as normal experience, and subsequently many of them are unable to do more sustained, in depth research without explicit and considerable instruction. Even then, it is often a very superficial understanding of ideas and concepts. Books are largely foreign and research is solely internet based. As a result their knowledge or understanding of topics is generic, limited and predictable based on search engine suggestions.

The flip side of this is that they are the tech savvy vanguard that will live their whole life up to their ears in technology and are undoubtedly a kind of 'new human' (adaption? Adoption?) that, providing technology remains, are almost the prototype hybrid cyborg generation or something. It's just the way it is, and likely, will continue to be.

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