Generation Z has some of the youngest in the world right now.
They are people born after 1996 and before 2015, and this puts their age group between 6-24 in 2021. This generation was born to technology and is fully awakened, diverse, and adventurous.
They may all seem young with an easy life, but Generation Z is also marked and shaped by challenges they continue to face.
In this article, we discuss 5 serious challenges Gen Zers face.
Social Media
Gen Z grew at the peak of technological advancements in the world; they are the first generation to grow up on social media.
Social media is a tool to get work done, play and share information faster. However, as much as social media has helped with so many aspects of life, it has also caused harm in some ways.
Gen Z uses social media a lot. According to a study, Gen Z spends an average of 3 hours and 38 minutes on smartphones and is about 50 minutes longer for an average social media user. Gen Z is also likely to be addicted to games such as gclub, among others.
- Social Media and Social Media Addiction
While social media has increased connectivity, it has also replaced in-person socializing, especially among Gen Zers. Some of them are living within social media, shutting themselves out of the world, and getting plagued by social media addiction.
- Social Media and Self-Esteem
Social media can affect self-esteem. A Huffington Post report on social media effects showed that 60% of survey respondents said social media has negatively affected their self-esteem.
- Social Media and Cyberbullying
Also, social media facilitate cyberbullying, and Gen Zers are more susceptible because they are more connected to social media.
Cyberbullying is very harmful. It can damage the psyche and trigger mental health problems like depression and self-harm. Social media makes it easy to be abused, bullied, falsely accused, and de-platformed.
This is because it gives people the opportunity to bully others while hiding behind screens, with no consequence for their action
Climate Change
Rising sea level, deteriorating ozone layer, dying polar bears, infectious diseases…the list about the effect of climate change goes on.
Many Gen Zers see climate change as one of the biggest challenges of their age, which explains why some of the most vocal about climate change are young adults. In an Amnesty Poll across six continents, 4 in 10 Gen Zers cited the climate crisis as one of the world’s most critical issues.
There are more and more reports about the concerns for the planet, which translate into fear about how climate change can affect their generation. In March 2019, hundreds of students skipped school to protest against climate change.
Generation Z, including the youngest of them, fear global warming and experience eco-anxiety. Meanwhile, their fears are valid, because according to WHO, climate change is the biggest threat to global health in the 21st century.
Social Issues
Gen Z is set to become the most open-minded, diverse, and politically active generation. 18% of Gen Zers in a survey listed discrimination as one of the main issues they face.
As a generation who want social justice, they expect more from the government, their community, their peers and are committed to fighting discrimination.
The social issues in the world are overwhelming. Gun violence (including in schools they attend), police brutality, political unrest, immigration issues, sexual harassment (which many of them have dealt with), discrimination, and so many other concerns deeply affect Gen Z.
Nevertheless, while facing these challenges, this set of enlightened young adults feel responsible and are committed to making a difference.
Generation Z believes in their power to make a change, and they are taking action against many social injustices. However, the long list of social issues they face and deal with is taking a toll on them.
Gambling
Study after study shows Gen Z is a product of a digital world, which is evident in their behavior and interest. With technological advancement in the gambling industry, many Gen Zers are engaging in online gambling.
The first introduction to online gambling was inspired by video games when the gambling industry created betting products that borrowed features from video games.
For a tech-savvy generation, it’s no surprise that mobile gambling has attracted a lot of Gen Z kids. Smartphones are now the preferred avenue for sports betting, engaging in casinos and gaming because it requires no physical input.
The problem with gambling arises when one can’t control their desire to gamble despite the adverse effects involved. Meanwhile, frequent engagement in mobile gambling is associated with a high risk of developing a gambling problem. Following responsible gambling guidelines is getting harder and harder with the accessibility of gambling in today’s world combined with the increased effectiveness of techniques casinos use to keep you playing.
At the end of the day, problematic mobile gambling is more likely to occur in a generation that spends so much time on their smartphones.
Mental Health Concerns
Between social media, political and social issues, Gen Zers are feeling the stress of all the challenges they face. They experience mental health problems like anxiety and depression.
According to a report, Gen Z is the most depressed generation, and they have numerous reasons to be more stressed than the previous generation.
Fortunately, there’s increased awareness of mental health conditions, there is less stigma around mental health among Gen Z, and treatment for mental health is being normalized.
Therefore, while Gen Z may see increased mental health problems, they are also the most likely generation to speak up and seek help.
