Digital trends for Gen-Z

The world today is very digital and almost all students spend their time online. Recent data shows that nearly all teenagers use social media. Platforms such as Youtube, Tiktok, and Instagram have been popular among teenagers for many years. 

However, as the years have gone by, these apps have further increased in popularity among younger generations. Young middle schoolers also have these apps. 

Social media is not only used as a form of entertainment, but also for communication and engagement among peers or family members. Social media connects people, but it can also influence confidence and mental well-being in negative ways.

Growing up, I did not have access to social media when I was in elementary school or even the first half of middle school. Things were different back then, and I spent most of my time offline. 

I connected with my friends in person, and my sources of entertainment were from reading, watching TV, or playing outside. As I got older, I was gradually introduced to social media. It offered new ways of communication, entertainment, and helped me learn many things. 

However, reflecting back on it, I do notice that there is a huge shift in how people communicate now and what they spend the majority of their time doing. 

The younger generations, especially those in middle school and elementary school grew up with social media, which shapes their own interests and how they are growing up. Gaming, social media content creation, and online shopping are also hobbies that come with living in this digital age. 

In addition to that, artificial intelligence has been introduced  to the younger generations of students. 

Many teenagers know how to use AI more effectively than older generations, partly because of growing up with it, especially as it is constantly evolving. 

Some may argue that AI makes learning more efficient, but it also could lead to decreased creativity and concept comprehension. 

There are so many opportunities technology has offered all of us, and the students growing up with it will be very fortunate if they can learn to use it responsibly.