What Makes Gen Z Different?

While many looked to the future-minded, idealistic, and tech-savvy Millennials to be world-changers, it turns out that Millennials, due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, were actually “waiting on the world to change” themselves, in the words of the popular 2006 John Mayer tune. But as the oldest members of Generation Z are becoming young adults, they are now in a prime position to shape society in drastic ways. What makes Gen Z different then Millennials as they seek to change the world?

As groups, both Millennials and Generation Z hold similar views on many current societal issues. Both generations believe that racism is a current problem and that persons of color are treated less fairly than whites in the United States. Millennials and Gen Zers are more likely than older generations to have positive views of same-sex marriage and seek equal treatment of all genders. Both generations agree that climate change is a serious threat that needs to be addressed.

But the major difference is that members of Generation Z have taken action by grabbing the microphone—both literally and metaphorically—even at a young age. Millennials waited their turn to take the stage, standing around for Boomer leaders to step aside, longingly holding out for that future time John Mayer croons about in his apathetic anthem: “One day our generation is gonna rule the population.” Gen Z didn’t wait around; instead, they found a different platform, primarily on social media.

For example, take the survivors of the Parkland, Florida, school shooting on February 14, 2018. School shootings are all too common ever since Columbine made national news in April 1999. But what made Parkland different? The Gen Z teens at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School took up the cause of gun law reform and school safety, organized a widespread social media campaign, interviewed with major news outlets, and held one of the largest youth-led protest marches on Washington D.C. Because of their efforts, over 67 new gun control laws passed in various states in 2018.

For another instance of Generation Z not waiting around for others to change the world, look to environmental activist Greta Thunberg. At age 15, she began protesting in front of the Swedish parliament and organizing school climate strikes. To date, this passionate teenager has already spoken in front of the United Nations, has been twice-nominated for a Nobel peace prize, and was named as Time’s Person of the Year in 2019.

One question to ask ourselves is whether it is fair to place too much societal pressure on a young generation that is only now coming of age. Should we really be looking to them to fix what is broken about our world? After all, most members of Generation Z are still in elementary or middle school.

But at this point, it seems inevitable that Generation Z will make their mark on society as they seek to shape it. Now it is up to older generations to support and guide them. Perhaps the best thing we can do is hand them the microphone and step off the platform. Maybe they are the change we’ve been waiting for all along.