Gen Z and tech dependency: How the youngest generation interacts differently with the digital world - Jason Dorsey (2024)

FAQs

How is Gen Z dependent on technology? ›

Whether scrolling through social media on their smartphone, streaming videos on a tablet, or working on a laptop, Gen Z navigates multiple digital environments. This multitasking behaviour is a direct result of their constant exposure to technology and their need for instant access to information and entertainment.

Gen Z has never known a world without smartphones, while millenials have had to navigate an evolving digital landscape. One notable difference is their preferred social media platforms. While millennials gravitate towards Facebook and Twitter, Gen Z tends to favor visually-driven platforms like TikTok and Snapchat.

Negative Impacts

Technology can negatively affect children's developing social skills, relationships, health, and overall ability to focus. developing their social skills. This can lead to more children being socially awkward, withdrawn, shy, or intimidated by social situations.

Gen Z (or Generation Z) grew up with rapid digital changes. As teens, Gen Zers experienced the boom of smartphones, wearables, and virtual assistants, among other disruptive tech. This immersion makes them open to integrating new technology into their lives. Gen Z is already using AI in their daily lives.

Technology Changes The Way Generations Communicate

Speaking generally, Gen Z prefers online communication, Millennials avoid phone calls, and Boomers prefer phone calls or in-person interactions. Generations communicate differently, and technology continues to affect those preferences.

As we become dependent on certain devices and specific types of technology, the more input we provide to improve the working of those devices. When that happens, we simultaneously lose our ability to memorize and find solutions. It hampers our skill-sharpening abilities and also impacts our social lives.

By now, you might know that both of these generations are heavily connected to the internet and social media, While millennials watched the internet develop, Gen Z has used it since a very young age. Each day, millennials spend around 6 hours and 48 minutes online while Gen Z surfs for about 10.6 hours.

The Generation Z (Gen Z), or the digital natives have never experienced a life without the internet. In addition, the advancement of digital technologies such as social media, smart mobile technologies, cloud computing, and the Internet-of-things has transformed how individuals perform their day-to-day activities.

Financial security: Generation Z is more financially aware than millennials and is likely to prioritize job security and benefits over salary. Entrepreneurial mindset: Generation Z is more likely to have an entrepreneurial mindset and may be more interested in starting their own business or working independently.

The digital world, particularly social media, impacts today's youth by influencing behavior positively through increased creativity and participation, but also negatively through potential oppression and depression risks.

How is technology impacting youth today? ›

In general, technology use can cause social and behavioral problems in children because it minimizes the amount of time kids spend interacting with others. Make sure to monitor your child's social media use and be aware of the types of websites they're visiting and the games they're playing online.

Given their fluency and comfort with technology, Millennials have more of a positive view of how technology is affecting their lives than any other generation. More than 74 percent feel that new technology makes their lives easier, and 54 percent feel new technology helps them be closer to their friends and family.

Generation Z vs Millennials: Key Takeaways

Millennials value stability (34%), while Gen Z puts more of an emphasis on finding their dream job (32%). More Gen Zers follow their parents' influence (42%), compared to their Millennial counterparts (36%).

They report using six technology products daily and spend around 12 hours using those products. 73% of Gen Z have a television in their household, and 59% say they personally own a television – significantly less compared to older generations.

That is to say, their opinions and beliefs tend to be the same but Generation Z's are stronger. The young people of Gen Z declare that they will respect their superiors, not according to their diploma or authority but rather according to their capacities, confidence, and listening skills.

Streaming, Social Media, and Gaming Are More Than Just Daily Habits. Technology and media are inseparable from the Gen Z experience. Streaming, social media, and gaming are leading activities.

Gen Z has never had to wait for dial-up internet or use a payphone to call home. Because these younger consumers grew up online, marketers tend to approach Gen Z as chronically online, tech-fluent, and social media-obsessed. But today's young adults aren't just tech-savvy, they're tech natives.

A McKinsey Health Institute (MHI) survey finds that Gen Z's social media engagement can feel negative but can also help with finding mental health support and connectivity. Much like many relationships a person might have between ages 18 and 24, the relationship a young person has with social media can be complicated.