Many years ago, one of my professors at the University of Pittsburgh asked me: “Do you have the concept of the ‘terrible twos’ in Bangladesh?' He was referring to the period when children, caught between early childhood and the beginning of personality formation, tend to display mischievous behaviour. My rather cheeky response was that children in Bangladesh are naughty throughout their entire childhood. Another concept that intrigued me was the 'mid-life crisis,' a notion that was particularly shaped by my viewing of Woody Allen films.
I have always viewed age categories as social constructs tied to specific societies. While I’m not a cultural relativist, my reading of Centuries of Childhood by French social historian Philippe Ariès made me question the universality of these categories. This is why I’m somewhat sceptical about the concept of Gen Z being universally applicable.
From the Western discussion we learn that “Generation Z” consists of individuals born between 1997 and 2012, making them the second-youngest generation, positioned between Millennials and Generation Alpha. Their identity has been influenced by the rise of digital technology, concerns about climate change, an evolving economic environment, and the impact of Covid-19. Often referred to as "digital natives," they are the first generation to have grown up fully immersed in the internet.
Millennials are born roughly between 1981 and 1996; they are the first generation to grow up with the internet and digital technology. They experienced the rise of social media, smartphones, and the transition from analog to digital. They are often characterized by their tech-savviness, an entrepreneurial spirit, and focus on work-life balance.
Born from around 2010 onward, Generation Alpha is the youngest generation today. They are growing up in a world dominated by advanced technology, AI, and a fully digital environment. With early exposure to devices like smartphones and tablets, they are expected to be the most tech-integrated and educated generation.
Gen Z has grown up relying heavily on technology in a hyper-connected, digital-first world, and while this has made them tech-savvy, it has also led to concerns about over-reliance on smartphones, social media, and the internet. According to a McKinsey report, Gen Z are “extremely online” and are known for working, shopping, dating, and making friends online; in Asia, they spend six or more hours per day on their phones.
Some argue this affects their attention spans, social skills, and mental health. Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist at New York University, argues in his book The Anxious Generation that the Gen Z cohort is suffering from unprecedented levels of mental ill-health. One-fifth of American students were diagnosed with or treated for depression in 2019, up from one-tenth a decade earlier. Suicides are rising too, more than doubling among American 10- to 14-year-old girls since 2010.
Smartphones and social media are the chief villains. Instead of small, stable real-world communities, young people join virtual ones, where they experience “a daily tornado of memes, fads, and ephemeral micro-dramas, played out among a rotating cast of millions of bit players.” Smartphones are so alluring that they reduce interest in all other activities.
A study conducted by Jonathan Haidt and Will Johnson of Harris Poll -- and reported in the New York Times -- found that over 60% of respondents in America said they spend at least four hours a day, with 23% saying they spend seven or more hours each day using social media. Second, their respondents recognize the harm that social media causes society, with 60% saying it has a negative impact versus 32% who say it has a positive impact.
Studies have indicated that Gen Z has reported high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, partly due to social media pressures, academic expectations, and economic uncertainty. There's a growing concern that constant digital exposure contributes to their mental health issues. One in three Gen Z Hong Kongers struggle with symptoms of anxiety.
The prevalence of short-form content, for example, TikTok, Instagram Reels, and constant notifications may be contributing to a generation that struggles with focus and deep work. Critics argue that this affects their ability to engage in long-form thinking or complete tasks without distraction. Concerns have been raised on the workplace behaviour of the members of this generation.
Some critics argue that Gen Z exhibits a sense of entitlement, with an expectation of immediate results or recognition. This may stem from growing up in a fast-paced, instant-gratification environment where everything is at their fingertips.
Gen Z is often associated with "cancel culture," where people or ideas are quickly boycotted for perceived offenses. Critics argue that this can sometimes lead to a lack of nuance, forgiveness, or meaningful discourse in the pursuit of social justice.
The universality argument holds for Gen Z due to the globalization of technology and culture. Young, urban, middle-class generations in Bangladesh are exposed to global trends, a shift driven by the previous government's push for internet connectivity. However, not all subgroups within Gen Z in Bangladesh share the same level of exposure to global culture or technology.
While Gen Z in some studies is seen as apolitical, their Bangladeshi counterparts are more politically aware. Yet, their politics often blend with "cancel culture," which could lead to problematic outcomes.
Habibul Haque Khondker is a sociologist and columnist.
