The Senior Daniel Testa isn’t consumed by social media. However, he isn’t oblivious to the vicious circle of anxiety and instant gratification plaguing his peers, ultimately threatening to bestow Generzation Z with the blanket statement of addiction. People considered a part of Generation Z have birth dates ranging from 1995-2015. People part of Generation Z have starkly different childhoods than those of the Millennial generation. Millennials remmber a time when a technology-absent childhood This double perspective makes it easier for millennials to view Gen Z as being obsessed with technology. “The millennial group was the first group to come through and have the technology, but Gen Z was the first group to see it with normal eyes. And so I think that your group, and like what everyone has, this is normal,” psychology teacher Shelly Burkett said. “This is how the world has always been. It’s different for the millennials.” Even members of Gen Z see that their generation tends to overindulge in technology. It has become evident to them that technology use could stunt their success. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children who grow up using technology mainly from the ages of zero
to five will have stunted brain development. This affects future relationships and healthy behavior. “People have become dependent on phones because everything that we do has to do with technology now, even our school books,” junior Hannah Stine said. Many Gen Zers are worried about the generations to come because they will be fully submerged in technology from the time they are born. “They’re going to be so dependent on technology that they won’t be able to do anything for themselves,” Stine said. Gen Z’s technology dependency makes them seem socially challenged. However, Gen Z is seen as very aware of the all-consuming nature of social media and are taking steps towards awareness. Some teenagers use apps to track their screen time and develop healthier habits.
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“I think that your generation is the generation that is pushing for social change, and like pushing to make even the online campaigns that we’re seeing,” Burket said. “It’s your generation making it more positive.” Even though Gen Z is taking steps to lessen their time spent on social media, many teens still have trouble getting away from screens. “That’s why we’re seeing such a huge spike in like depression and anxiety, and like just disassociation and stuff like that. Yeah. Because you can be a completely different person online,” Burkett said. Most research on the topic concludes that young people need to limit and monitor their technology use in order to avoid side effects such as lack of sleep, depression, isolation and anxiety. A CNN article about social media use explained 60% of girls’ psychological distress is related to low sleep, greater exposure to cyberbullying and less physical activity. All of these effects are traced back to social media. Despite all the harsh viewpoints on Generation Z, older generations have left large responsibilities for them, such as tackling climate change. Many millennials think that with the action they have already seen from young activists, Gen-Z has the potential to change the world. “I think that generation Z is hardworking, I think that your generation is pushing all of these changes that we’re seeing politically speaking,” Burkett said. “I think you guys are trying to fix it and are incredible, but I am sad that it has fallen to you guys to stay fix it.”
Generation Generation Z is is being viewed as tech obsessed by older generations BY ABBY KEANE
14
NOVEMBER 2019
