Generation Z’s Dependability on Technology
Throughout history, there have been several generations that have existed. Each of these generations has particular names that go with the group they are in. There is one group of individuals that are known as Generation Z. Generation Z is defined as, “those whose birth years are generally recognized as 1996 to 2009”. Statistically, individuals in this group make up approximately 25 percent of the U.S. population. There are several characteristics that makeup Generation Z. Some of these attributes include, “always knowing the score, having individuality, being financially focused, entrepreneurial, connected, and being dependent on technology”. There are several different ways these characteristics could be perceived, either positively or negatively. One of the characteristics that are usually negatively perceived and is true is how Generation Z is dependent on technology.
Pretty much everyone loves technological devices. People everywhere seem to own one piece, or multiple pieces, of technology. Whether it’s a smartphone or a tablet, those who dwell in society are rarely seen without a device in their hands. The reliability of technology has been a major issue in society for several generations, and this is especially true for the generation branded Generation Z. Jill Katz, Chief Human Resources Officer at New York City-based Assemble Human Resources stated that 'Gen Z has the power of technology in their hands, which allows them to communicate faster, more often and with many colleagues at one time”. This allows for this generation to be more dependent on technology rather than relying on people for information.
Individuals who dwell in this society prefer electronic communication over face-to-face interaction. Nowadays, everyone pretty much communicates by texting or instant messaging through social media. According to Natalie Lambert, “having grown up with a smartphone in hand, they’re connected more than 10 hours a day and receive more than 3,000 texts a month”. “They’ve never known a world without Google, Facebook, or high-speed internet”. With this generation being on their devices all the time, this could cause major issues now and in the future for these individuals. Due to the reliability on technology, there isn’t much face-to-face interaction going on in this generation.
The high technology that Generation Z has grown up being dependent on has allowed them to be connected to friends and able to know what’s going on in the world by news twenty-four-seven. Generation Z is commonly characterized as “highly connected, active use of communications and media technologies such as World Wide Web or YouTube”. Some other popular social media apps that allow Generation Z to stay connected with friends include Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat. According to a survey taken and a data results sheet, the most commonly used social media apps by Generation Z are Facebook and YouTube, while Snapchat, Instagram, and Twitter tie in second place. According to a survey taken on the types of technology and the time spent on them, the average time spent on a smartphone per week is 15.4 hours. Television came in second place having spent on average of 13.2 hours per week, and laptops came in third place at being used approximately 10.6 hours per week. Since Generation Z spends so much time on technological devices, it would make sense that ads would get in the way of their source of entertainment. Data shows that “there has been a 41 percent increase in the use of ad-blocking software in the past 12 months”. Generation Z spends a lot of their time on technological devices and often depends on them to function in day-to-day life.
Generation Z’s dependability on technology is also influenced by the way that they get instant gratification because of the technology available to them. Examples of instant gratification technology are Google or Safari web browsers on laptops and smartphones, Alexa on Amazon smart devices, Cortana on Microsoft products, and Siri on iPhones. “Gen Z consumes more convenience items than any other generation, viewing them as necessities rather than luxuries”. “It’s not that they’re lazy. They simply see convenience as the driver of efficiency—and technology as the vehicle that will get them there”. With technology changing at a rapid pace, Generation Z depends on technology because of how fast it can generate results for them.
Generation Z has a different attitude because of the technology available to them. “They are more entrepreneurial; they grew up with search engines and like to discover content for themselves”. Because Generation Z has been able to access unlimited information, they may be able to contribute to society and companies in several ways. “They also like to be involved in the process, contribute to the solution and be more immersed in experiences.” Generation Z has unlimited access to technology, therefore wanting to be involved in the processes of technological work is common in this generation.
There are several attributes makeup generations. The attributes that make up the generation known as Generation Z are, always knowing the “score”, having individuality, being financially focused, entrepreneurial, connected, and being dependent on technology”. These characteristics could be perceived by onlookers in several different ways. One of the characteristics that are commonly perceived somewhat negatively and are correct is how Generation Z is dependent on technology. Generation Z has grown up with and relies on technology for assistance with day-to-day life activities. Individuals living in this generation probably couldn’t survive a day without technology being accessible. The characteristic of how Generation Z is dependent on technology is indeed a correctly perceived characteristic of this age group.
Works Cited
- Desai, Supriya Pavan, and Vishwanath Lele. “Correlating Internet, Social Networks and Workplace - a Case of Generation Z Students.” Journal of Commerce & Management Thought, vol. 8, no. 4, Oct. 2017, p. 802. EBSCOhost, libproxy.ggc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edb&AN=125477497&site=eds-live&scope=site.
- Kleinschmit, Matt. “Generation Z Characteristics: 5 Infographics on the Gen Z Lifestyle.” Vision Critical, Vision Critical Communications Inc., 19 Nov. 2016, www.visioncritical.com/generation-z-infographics/.
- Lambert, Natalie. “An (in)Convenient Truth: Gen Z and the Culture of Instant Gratification.” Sapho, Sapho, www.sapho.com/blog/an-inconvenient-truth-gen-z-and-the-culture-of-instant-gratification/.
- Miller, Josh. “10 Things You Need to Know about Gen Z.” HR Magazine, vol. 63, no. 7, Nov. 2018, pp. 50–56. EBSCOhost, libproxy.ggc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=fth&AN=133041652&site=eds-live&scope=site.
- Nendick, John. “How Media and Entertainment Leaders Are Responding to Gen Z.” Home, EY, 23 Jan. 2019, www.ey.com/en_gl/media-entertainment/how-media-and-entertainment-leaders-are-responding-to-gen-z.
