Social Media Grips Gen Z

Sugam Gautam

Human civilisation is characterised by natural disasters, political clashes, wars, racial discrimination, and many other issues. If we delve into human history, we find that each generation has its own approach to responding to dramatic episodes. However, it can also be said that the nature of events unfolding at a certain time shapes people’s ideology, behavior, and sentiments. Although human generations have a long history, Generation Z is the most talked-about generation at present. Succeeding Millennials and preceding Gen Alpha, Gen Z is currently the most active and updated generation, expected to prosper in every facet of life. 

Born between the mid-1990s and 2010, Gen Z individuals are now either teenagers or in their twenties, with most of them attending school. The internet spread throughout the world around 2000, bringing everyone together at just a touch. It was around this time that smartphones excelled in features, performance, and efficiency. Those born around 2000 had the privilege of picking up phones and surfing the internet at an early age, gradually making them tech-savvy. We can observe that the previous generation of Millennials lacked the flair for operating electronic devices and phones because scrolling through phones wasn't something they learned growing up. 

Let’s talk about the time around 2010. Mobile phones and the internet, being smart inventions, were made accessible to minors because those who could use them were deemed as creative people. Digital devices were fancy, and giving the kids a sense of superiority. Children embraced the idea of sitting at home, stepping out only to discuss mobile games, video games, and such. Gradually, the generation stopped playing outdoor games and relied on screens for refreshment, thus helping mobile apps spread like wildfire. 

Hawk-eyed developers started bringing out apps that could potentially lure young people. The early success of one app galvanized others into releasing identical apps. Youths tried whatever was new in trend, and their phone usage kept increasing. In the bid to try and see for themselves, the Gen Z generation tends to stay relevant on online platforms, wasting time on unproductive indulgences. Apps like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram use special algorithms, tracking people’s areas of interest and providing them with similar content, making such apps unavoidable for Gen Z individuals. 

The dark reality about social media is that people go beyond their spending limit to seek attention. If Gen Z individuals achieve the desired results, they become euphoric. And if it doesn’t go according to plan, they become dejected. In a way, social media dictates the mood of the Gen Z generation. The problem with this generation lies in their inability to adhere to the basics. If you ask a Gen Z boy why he is bent over in front of his gaming PC all the time, he will quickly mention a name or two of successful gamers.

There’s nothing wrong with idolizing someone who is doing well, but Gen Z individuals simply avoid calculating the success rate. Gen Z people have no interest in leading a normal life or doing a 10-4 job; they are driven by high ambitions but are reckless and maverick. To say Gen Z is misusing social media would not be entirely true. There are instances where they are earning through online platforms. But being the most knowledgeable cohort, Gen Z individuals have to mindfully navigate the digital landscape for the greater good of the community.