(THE PICKET)—Millennials have been the “it” generation for a decade. From the clothes in the mall to the way technology is used, millennials have paved the way for an emerging generation—Generation Z.
According to the New York Times, Generation Z, or centennials, consists of those who are born after the year 1995.
Generation Zers have already begun to shape the use of technology. Since they’re under 20, most have grown up in a world closely connected to social media and were introduced to smart phones at a young age.
Most centennials prefer using Snapchat and other privacy friendly social media platforms to communicate with friends. The New York Times suggests that this is a result in growing up so closely to millennials that they can learn from mistakes made by the previous generation.
Austin Viands, a centennial Shepherd University student, said he thinks the emerging generation will be “more shy” than the millennial generation.
“I think people are more connected to technology because they don’t have to be bold enough to talk to people. They can just hide behind their phone instead of branching out,” he said. “I think (centennials) will be a more shy generation and more abrasive because we can say whatever on social media and not care how offensive it is.”
Forbes magazine suggests that centennials are more cautious since many were born post 9-11 and haven’t seen a time that the U.S. was not at war.
Generation Zers have been found to be more open-minded than millennials.
The uprising generation has witnessed two full terms of the first African American president as well as the battle and legalization of gay marriage.
“I believe centennials will have a positive impact on the world in the future,” Melissa Sherrill, a millennial psychology major, said. “Advances to technology will make it easier for the future generation to learn about news and medical treatments, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and keeping in touch with friends and family in ways that our generation couldn’t.”
Business Insider says that centennials are more likely to shop online than millennials who prefer shopping at malls, as this generation turns to social media to find trends.
A common trend started by younger millennials is starting video blogs, or vlogs, on YouTube in hopes that someone will notice them and make them Internet famous.
According to Business Insider, between 50 percent and 72 percent of centennials want to start their own company.
Sydney Clark, a millennial communications major, agrees with Sherrill saying centennials will impact the world in a positive way.
“We didn’t grow up with some of the things they will grow up with,” Clark said. “We were born right at the turning point when these things will be created.”
Emilee Pierson, a millennial communications major, said she believes that it’s a good thing that teens today are so closely connected to technology.
“It’s good that teens today are experienced and know how to use technology, but I also think that it’s taking over in a bad way,” Pierson said. “Everyone starts to rely too heavily on technology rather than using other resources.”
Watch out, world, centennials coming through!
Hayley Butler is a staff writer for The Picket. She can be reached at hbutle01@rams.shepherd.edu or followed on Twitter @haybutler
You use the term open-minded in this article to mean something like “aligning with liberal social positions”. Open-mindedness actually means “willing to consider new ideas”. Anyone who hasn’t considered the *best* arguments from both sides of an argument is anything but open-minded… even if they fall on the side of what is socially trendy these days.