Publisher/President
Newt Crenshaw
Executive Editors
Lauren Bocci
Gabe Knipp
Managing Editor
Jeff Chesemore
Coordinator
Michael Swyers
Copy Editor
Jessica Williams
Art Director
Isaac Watkins
Designers
Liz Knepper
Kristen Ward
Diné Wiedey
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Friends,
In this issue we are excited to present you with the conclusion of The RELATE Project and what we’re learning about this current generation of young people.
I have greatly appreciated reading through the report and hearing how Gen Z views relationships — with themselves, others, and God. It’s been fascinating to learn from the 7,261 adolescents surveyed, especially given that they hail from eight different countries: Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Mexico, Tanzania, Uganda, the United Kingdom, and the United States. (In the magazine we have looked at the results collectively, but if you’d like a further geographical breakdown you can find it at relate.younglife.org.)
Another important note: These adolescents, aged 13 to 24, come from the general population, not from Young Life. The study is not influenced by our beliefs, which is especially helpful to remember in the sections that look at Gen Z’s views on faith.
Back in our spring issue, we looked at part one of the study. This issue gives us a 30,000-foot view of the remaining sections, focusing even more on who Gen Zers are and their relationships — both online and in person.
Also in this issue our friends at Axis, a ministry uniquely focused on studying the world of adolescents, speak into this generation’s social media presence; specifically, the role of content creation versus content consumption.
Why take so much “real estate” in this magazine to look into this study? Because we love Gen Zers, and know our heavenly Father loves them even more. We want to know them deeply, and all that is on their hearts.
And we want to introduce them to the One who loves them even more than we do. It is one of the many reasons that we spend time with Jesus, so we can know him more deeply and what is on his heart. Then we can give a proper account of him, in both word and deed, to our young friends. We talk about this further in “The Last Word” on page 22.
We are excited to hear your thoughts about the findings, and any further questions you might have regarding both the study and our approach going forward. Please contact us at relate@sc.younglife.org.
To see our full report, scan this QR Code.
Newt
HOW GEN Z IS SHAPING, AND SHAPED BY, SOCIAL MEDIA.
The experience of scrolling through social media is like the experience of looking through a window at other people living their lives; they’re out there, and you’re in here, and there’s no real way to bridge the gap. Even if you meet up with those people in real life, another look at your favorite social media platform puts you behind the window again.
In the 1990s, the game “Super Mario 64” required Mario to navigate the world by leaping into portraits hung on various walls in Princess Peach’s castle. Our inability to actually do this means we’re forever excluded from whatever our devices portray. Add to this the fact that 53% of
An In-Depth Look From Axis Ministries
Gen Zers say they “doomscroll”* (spend excessive time online consuming negative news or other content), and it’s no wonder Young Life’s RELATE Project correlates too much time passively scrolling with greater mental health issues (see page 16).
Christians believe human beings have been made in the image of a Creator; the first thing God does in the Bible is construct a beautiful, complex world for us. One of the main ramifications is that creating, and being creative, are essential parts of what it means to be made in his image.
Creativity isn’t just about doing things like painting, writing, and cooking; it is fundamentally about participating and
contributing to our world. Some might argue social media is altogether the wrong avenue for pursuing this. But actually responding to others’ posts, trying to engage in conversation, as well as contributing our own posts, can all help signal to our own brains that life is not just something happening to us , but something we get to take an active role in shaping
So why do so many teens end up passively scrolling through their social media feeds, instead of posting or even commenting?
Well, first of all, passively scrolling is easier. Scrolling through your feed and occasionally throwing out a “like” requires little effort; taking the time to create and post something is harder, especially when
the expectation is you must be attractive, or funny, etc. Even finding the right words for a comment requires breaking out of the trance social media feeds can pull us into.
But the explanation may also have something to do with a difference in how users define the primary purpose of social media. Is it a tool for keeping up with what’s happening, and/or being entertained? Or is it actually a tool for connecting with other people and expressing ourselves?
For those who see social media as a place for connecting, posting something can still produce anxiety about whether we’ll get enough likes from others. This is something every generation should be able to understand: putting yourself out there requires overcoming the fear you won’t be accepted when you do it.
We also live in an age where expressing the wrong opinion in public is seen as one of the worst things a person can do. This can bring an added level of perceived peril to even something like leaving a comment; saying something that contradicts the current cultural orthodoxy can sometimes
We were made to be cultivators and creators — ‘people who tend and nourish what is best in human culture.”’
— Andy Crouch
mean public shaming, or losing a current (or future) job. Sometimes it feels safer to stick to generic flattery, or even just the like button.
But when social media becomes just a way to keep up with what’s happening, or a way to be entertained, we can end up giving others’ contributions to the world more importance than making our own.
In his book Culture Making , Andy Crouch argues Christians were made to be more than just critics, consumers, copiers, or condemners of culture. We were made, he says, to be cultivators and creators — “people who tend and nourish what is best in human culture,” and “people who dare to think and do something that has never been thought of or done before, something that makes the world more welcoming and thrilling and beautiful.”
So what would doing this online even look like? It could start by recognizing the way we show up online will always be connected to who we are offline. Toward
this end, here are three questions to invite conversation and reflection with the rising generation:
• Would you say you primarily use social media in an active way (posting, commenting, engaging) or a passive way (scrolling, maybe occasionally giving likes)?
• How often do you go to social media versus just away from something else you want to avoid in life?
• Do you believe life is fundamentally something that happens to us, or something we get to take an active role in shaping?
At Axis, we translate pop culture to help parents and caring adults understand and disciple their teenagers. For more help understanding your teens’ world, go to axis.org and sign up for our Culture Translator newsletter.
*New Morning Consult research, March 2024
Explore free resources at Axis.org.
How can older generations — parents, teachers, coaches, mentors, and faith leaders — help young adults grow emotionally and spiritually during this crucial phase of their lives? What do they need from us? The RELATE Project serves to help us all learn more about Gen Z and how we can invest in them so they’ll flourish both now and in the future. In this issue we continue looking at the relationships, attitudes, beliefs, and experiences of Gen Z, which we think you’ll find enlightening and encouraging!
The human heart desires connection — to be known and loved and safe. The ultimate example of this can be found in a relationship with God, who has demonstrated his desire to connect with us through sending his Son.
In Young Life we love kids and genuinely want to be there for them. But how can adults connect to teens without seeming invasive, uncool, or out of touch? Maybe you’ve tried, but you feel held at a distance or pushed away. Do they even want to talk?
Where to start: Don’t worry about the generation gap. Don’t pretend you “get them.” Teens mostly want the adults in their lives to just be themselves; in other words, they want authentic relationships. And when they sense this authenticity, they’ll feel free to share what’s on their hearts.
Gen Z’s biggest source of worry? The future. That’s because they’re not just worrying about their own individual futures; they’re also worrying about the world’s. Everything happening around the world is playing out on their screens, in real time. And as they age their worrying only increases.
School and finances are also significant sources of stress, causing worry for about half of teens and young adults overall.
Many said they’re afraid they’ll never be able to afford big-ticket items like a home. Their grandparents could afford to buy a starter home in their 20s; now, a lot of newly employed young adults can’t even afford rent. Moreover, they’re seeing the piles of educational and other debt Millennials have accumulated.
Gen Zers aren’t entirely sure what to do about it. Some are adopting a live-for-today financial philosophy and giving up on saving. Others are rejecting higher education, and choosing vocational training instead. Some are demanding higher pay. But all this uncertainty is another cause for stress.
You might think being there for the teen in your life means talking with them about their worries. But it really means listening — or at least starting there.
In their early teens, kids want to talk mostly about school, hobbies, and interests. But when they reach 15 or 16, the conversations change. They start talking a lot more about their future goals. When they hit 20, they start opening up about faith, finances, and relationships. Two-thirds of young adults in their early 20s also say they talk to trusted adults about school or work. And that’s when they start asking for advice.
Consider trends like #FinTok. Young people are actively looking for financial advice and how-tos as they transition between life stages. Some collegeaged students, for example, have asked Young Life leaders for tips on budgeting and managing money. Maybe you can help them find an online course or book on financial management.
Gen Z wants to learn from older adults. But we have to be careful to start with listening, not with advice. Don’t expect the 14-year-old in your life to ask for guidance. Be patient. That time will come. And when it does, try to engage in a collaborative way, instead of lecturing.
Stress is a normal and inevitable part of adolescence. Not surprisingly, today’s teens struggle to balance full schedules, societal expectations, personal goals, and lots of relationships. But without coping skills and a variety of protective factors, Gen Zers toil under the weight of stress.
As adolescents mature, stress begins to increase — especially ages 16 through 18 — as independence and responsibilities grow. So, how can we help them deal with it?
Faith is one thing. Growing up with religion or faith can mitigate stress; teens with these upbringings report less stress overall. So it may be helpful to guide teens toward faith resources.
Music is another top stress-management tool. About two-thirds of Gen Zers say they listen to music to cope with stress. Books, connecting with friends, and exercise are other options.
As they age, teens learn more coping skills. The older they are, the more activities they report using to cope. Notably, prayer increases significantly more than other practices by age.
Our mental health is important to God, because he made us holistically. We’re spiritual, physical, emotional, social, and yes, mental creations, and he wants us to be well. We may feel illequipped to discuss mental health with Gen Zers, but ignoring the topic only creates distance between generations.
One simple place to start is by asking, “How would you rate your mental health right now?” It may feel like an uncomfortable question if you’re not used to speaking in these terms, but it’s the language of our next generation. Young people don’t hear, “Are you crazy?” but rather, “How are you, really?” which starts the conversation from a place of empathy and authenticity.
Distract yourself by watching or reading something Connect with friends
Young adults say adversity has had more of a positive impact on them than a negative one. In fact, about half say adversity makes them stronger or motivates them to change something in their lives.
This is a way we can help struggling teens by reframing their challenges as opportunities. How can they use what they’re dealing with to grow? To help others? What good things can come from bad things?
This strategy won’t work with everyone, however. About one-quarter of Gen Zers say adversity makes it hard for them to function, or they avoid and withdraw as a result.
Resilience is often talked about as a characteristic — either you
These teens may be dealing with depression or anxiety and need increased care and attention (possibly by a therapist or medical professional).
As teens grow into young adults, they learn resilience. They report feeling like adversity has helped them in some way (whereas younger teens feel the opposite). So, resilience is a skill that develops with time and experience. It might be helpful to share this with the teen in your life, when they’re struggling. First, they’re not alone. Second, things aren’t going to feel better or be better immediately. But things will get better.
struggle for basic needs, but I got enough to get by, and I survived.” Each time the brain learns struggles and challenges do
Our Lord is a God who hears us — our wants and needs, our joys and triumphs. He cares about our hearts and has all the time in the world for us. We want to be that for kids, so our first responsibility is to listen. We won’t always be able to solve everything, and that’s OK. Our second responsibility is to create spaces where teens can talk openly and honestly about their questions, stressors, and personal problems. In other words, a casual atmosphere where we reassure them they’re not alone.
Teens appreciate being invited into people’s homes for a meal and having a conversation — about anything. Knowing another adult wants to spend time with them and ask them about themselves is enough to make them feel they’re valued.
At the same time, many teens feel “written off” and judged for their age by older generations. They want older adults to be curious about them, without judgment. Here are five judgment-free questions you can ask that show you care:
On a scale of 1 to 10, how well do you feel like I listen to you?
What are the last three memes you sent to someone?
What is one thing you wish older generations understood about you?
What’s something you fear? What would be your idea of the perfect day?
It would be easy to scan TikTok and Instagram and assume all Gen Zers are aspiring celebrities. They may give the impression they’re too impatient to follow a traditional path through education and up the career ladder.
But consider this:
• Today in the U.S., it costs $104,108 on average to attend four years of public university — and $223,360 for a private university. But the average starting salary for recent college grads is just $55,911.
• We are in “a new era of conflict and violence,” with war and unrest breaking out around the world. And crime kills even more people than armed conflicts.
• The pandemic resulted in the deaths of at least three million people worldwide, with many feeling like health systems failed to protect us.
• Cancel culture is on the rise; 40% of Americans say they don’t speak up because of it.
These and other circumstances make Gen Z feel like they can’t rely on the institutions other generations could. They feel pressure to be self-reliant, causing a lot of stress.
That’s why they’re speaking up (through social media campaigns and demonstrations), while trying to discern how to build themselves a better future, with tools and resources unavailable to previous generations.
First, we have to get to know who they “really” are. Then we should look for cues that might make them feel out of place. This can show up in tangible ways like clothing choices, foods served, music played, or unrelatable conversation. But we can also just ask! Are there things that make you feel like you don’t belong? We can also ask adolescents to assess whether they’re creating a space where others feel like they belong and be on the lookout for cues that might make it harder for someone to be themselves.
Strongly Agree
Strongly Agree
Somewhat Agree
Agree
You might be surprised to learn that despite all the social media anxiety, teens and young adults are pretty confident in themselves: 80% say, “I like myself” — and only 10% disagree.
Similarly, most Gen Zers are likely to believe they’re “worthy of being loved.”
Those with a religious faith, specifically Christians and Muslims in the countries we surveyed, are more likely to have a higher sense of self-worth.
Most also feel “proud of something they’ve accomplished.” Developmentally, self-esteem ramps up most rapidly starting around age 15 and continuing through age 30, after which it slows.
But here’s where the data can be deceptive. Things may look pretty good on the surface — in the absolute data — but no matter how they feel about themselves in absolute terms, feelings shift as teens navigate across different contexts.
Social acceptance is important. Some teens feel like they stifle their “real” selves in order to fit in. Many feel anxious about being fully themselves in every situation. Most agree with this statement: “I leave out or exclude some aspects of myself, or pretend to be someone else, for fear of being judged or rejected.”
Somewhat agree they pretend to be someone else. 75% 25% I like myself.
If Gen Zers wish they could be more authentically themselves, then what does that look like? What does it mean to them to be authentic? Another question asked is what they want to be known for. And what became clear is Gen Z wants an identity they can control or choose, not the identity they’re born into.
Gen Zers want to be known most for their talents, interests, and hobbies — more than education, occupation, or relationships. This contrasts with the ambitions of generations before them, who have typically identified strongly with their jobs or alma mater.
Seeing and following so many social media influencers is a constant reminder of what they could be accomplishing. Almost a quarter of adolescents report “spending all or most of their time online” posting or creating content.
So where does the “celebrity” culture come into play? Does Gen Z’s identity rest completely on how many likes and shares they get?
No — but it may be influencing their priorities, and it’s something to look out for when we’re helping them navigate through these years. Nearly a quarter of adolescents, for example, say they always or mostly spend their time engaging with or commenting on other people’s content. Forty-three percent say they’re
always or mostly following or scrolling but not engaging.
Girls are slightly more likely to be following and scrolling versus creating and posting (45% of girls report following/ scrolling all or most of the time versus 41% of boys). This echoes studies finding female Gen Zers are more likely to say social media has a negative impact on body image and self-confidence.
If consuming content is correlated with more negative mental health effects, we need to be particularly vigilant about teens who are consuming (scrolling) more than creating (or engaging) . How? Figuring out what motivates their scrolling behavior is a good place to start. Teens talk about the pressure to constantly be informed and stay up-to-date.
WAYS TO HELP: Gen Zers feel a lot of pressure and anxiety about being special. We need to help them understand their value is not in what they do, or how they stand out, but in the fact that God has made them in his image. They’re special because God’s Word says so:
“You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:13-14, NIV).
How can we help them see themselves as they’re uniquely made? Are we speaking life-giving affirmation into kids? Take the time — often! — to point out the good you see in them. Not just praising them for something they did but what that reveals about who they are. “You always have an encouraging word for your friends; you make people feel good about themselves.” “That’s a unique hobby you’ve developed; you’re a tenacious learner.”
Reframing what’s good about kids helps them see they have inherent value and relieves the pressure to perform.
Gen Z is asking the question: “Am I enough to be loved and valued?” This question is ultimately answered in relationship to their Creator, the giver of love and value. The pressure to stand out creates an environment steeped in competition.
In order to stand out, you have to be better in comparison to others.
In order to create, you have to be the first and different by comparison.
It’s no wonder Gen Z has a difficult time building friendships. If they’re in a position of comparison, they’re pressured to be rivals, not friends.
Wondering if they’re enough to be loved
and valued sets Gen Z on the defensive, in fear of being rejected.
So, how can older adults help? Affirm kids but also reframe their thinking. Demonstrate unconditional love. More importantly, be there for them! Presence, availability, and consistency all help communicate “you’re loved and valued.”
And remind them that the ultimate presence, availability, and consistency they long for are found in Jesus, who has loved them, and given himself for them, through his life, death, and resurrection.
Gen Zers have a relatively healthy selfconcept. They reject the idea that how much money you have, or what college you go to, or what title you have makes you “you.” They want to be defined by things they can control — first and foremost, their talents. Does this make them the “self-absorbed generation”? Actually, no. They’re better described as the empathetic generation.
When asked to come up with their own words to describe themselves, the two most common words Gen Zers used were kind and good. We see this in the way they’re speaking up and speaking out for causes important to them.
When asked to rank from a list what they want to be known as, Gen Zers most commonly selected loyal, responsible, calm, and cool. While they’re not necessarily describing themselves with the word “empathetic,” it’s clearly important to them to be “good” in their actions. Not everyone in Gen Z wants to be in the spotlight, but they’re conscious of how they appear to others. They fear being judged for being unkind. One focus group with kids who have a variety of disabilities and special needs talked about their challenges in feeling like they belong, and how their experience makes them much more conscious of being kind to others.
A lot of Gen Zers look for their purpose by pursuing causes important to them. The top causes they’re personally concerned about (for themselves and others) are mental health; health, diseases, or medical issues; personal safety; climate change; pollution; and having enough job opportunities.
Climate Change (24%)
Enough Job Opportunities (24%)
Pollution (23%)
Addiction (23%)
Girls’ and Women’s Rights (22%)
Government or Business Corruption (22%)
Housing or Homelessness (21%)
DINNER TABLE QUESTIONS: “What do you want to be known as?” is a great question to ask kids to learn more about them, what’s important to them, and how they perceive themselves — especially in a group discussion setting. Demonstrate curiosity in asking further questions, like, “What is something you do that would make someone think you are [....]?” or, “Are there times when it’s hard to be [....]?” You can also invite kids to celebrate peers’ qualities by naming what stands out about them.
Faith plays a role in how Gen Z thinks about improving the world. Most follow the faith of their families, and more Gen Zers than not believe in a higher power. And counter to some narratives about
adolescents losing their religion, belief actually strengthens with age. So when you see or hear a teen expressing doubt, be patient and give it time. Teens need years of experience and exploration to come to their own conclusions.
AGES 13-15
AGES 16-18
AGES 19-21
AGES 22-24
I do not believe in the existence of a higher power
I doubt a higher power’s existence more than I believe
I believe in a higher power’s existence more than I doubt
WAYS TO HELP: Gen Z is finding identity in what they can accomplish or what they do. And the culture all around them affirms this. They want to be defined by their talents that help them stand out from the crowd. But what happens to their self-worth when someone else outshines their talent, or when their role or career changes? They’re likely to experience an existential crisis.
I know a higher power exists, and I have no doubts
To better guide their identity development, ask them these questions: Where does your gift come from, and how can you honor the source of that gift? How can your talent be used to benefit others? This allows Gen Z to engage with their empathetic nature by providing a vehicle to reflect and serve outwardly. This view also helps them extend value to others instead of fixating on themselves and creating pressure to achieve.
We hope this study dispelled some common myths about Gen Z. Yes, they’re connected by technology, but they also long for in-person connection! Relationships with their parents, siblings, and extended family are important to them. And unlike many narratives out there, Gen Zers aren’t paralyzed by anxiety. They have strong hopes and dreams for the world, and want to be part of making things better.
To help them build confidence and find their purpose, we should look for opportunities to affirm their positive traits. Desiring to be kind and authentic and change-makers reveals they’re longing for the good news (“gospel”) of the love of God, whether they’re aware of it or not! They’re
looking to live out qualities that Jesus himself embodies. Let’s continue to walk alongside them as they develop their view of self and find their footing in adulthood.
In Young Life, we believe in Gen Z. We love them for who they are, and look forward to discovering with them who they can become. Furthermore, we’re excited to see what they do with their talents and giftedness.
And we believe in them because their Father in heaven loves them and wants them to experience the greatest life possible. We share his longing for them to know him, and enjoy a future lived fully in his love.
Here’s to the next generation!
Jeff Chesemore
Y“ou can’t introduce others to someone you don’t know.”
This seemingly obvious declaration begs the question for every Christ follower: Do we know Jesus well enough to talk about him with others? Not just possessing an intellectual understanding of his story, but having a deep, personal intimacy with the one we call the Savior?
After all, there’s a vast difference between knowing about Jesus and knowing Jesus. When we truly know someone, we learn their likes and dislikes, their joys and sorrows, their thoughts and feelings. But it takes a depth of relationship that requires care and attention.
And how do we go about growing deeper with the Lord? By spending time with him, naturally!
So just as best friends intentionally spend time together, we do the same with ours. But, of course, Jesus is far more than a “best friend.” He is, as the apostle Paul so eloquently exclaimed,
“… the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things
hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” (Colossians 1:15-20, NIV)
Given this résumé, why wouldn’t we long to be with Jesus and know him better? Of course we’ll never comprehend him completely, but how exciting to discover more and more of him every day! Not just for our own personal growth, which is critical, but so we can also speak about him passionately and intelligently with the Gen Zers we care so much about.
Can our young friends see we know Jesus by how we live? Will they be like the people in Acts 4:13 who, “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus” (italics mine).
Have we been with Jesus to the extent that people can’t help but notice?
Do we know him, not just know about him?
Do you?
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