Gen Z's Social Skills Are Disappearing, Here's Why
Summary
TLDRThe video explores the social skills of Gen Z, questioning if they are indeed declining or just evolving. It discusses the impact of technology and social media on this generation's interaction and mental health, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities they face. The script features various perspectives, from educators to Gen Z individuals themselves, offering a nuanced view of their resilience and the redefinition of community in a digital age.
Takeaways
- 📱 Gen Z spends a significant amount of time on screens, with some individuals reporting up to 10 hours a day.
- 🏕️ There is a perception that Gen Z is 'soft' and less resilient than previous generations due to less time spent outside and more time in front of screens.
- 🗣️ Gen Z is seen as having declining social skills, with less face-to-face interaction and more reliance on social media for communication.
- 🤔 The younger generation is often criticized for being self-centered and lacking the social graces of older generations.
- 🔗 Despite criticism, some argue that Gen Z is more thoughtful and put together, with some critiques being a projection of older generations' flaws.
- 🌐 The pandemic has exacerbated feelings of loneliness and social isolation, particularly affecting the social skills development of Gen Z.
- 🔑 Gen Z has shown increased initiative and resilience, especially in leveraging digital platforms for social change and personal growth.
- 💡 There is a debate on whether technology and social media have had a net positive or negative impact on Gen Z's social skills and mental health.
- 🌱 Gen Z is more proactive in seeking help for mental health issues compared to older generations, embracing digital solutions like online therapy.
- 🌐 The definition of community and social interaction is evolving with technology, challenging traditional views on what constitutes social skills.
Q & A
What is the main concern regarding Gen Z's social skills as discussed in the script?
-The main concern is that Gen Z's social skills are declining due to increased screen time and social media usage, leading to less face-to-face interaction and potentially more isolation.
How does the script suggest older generations view Gen Z?
-The script suggests that older generations often criticize Gen Z as being soft, lacking manners, and having poor social skills, often projecting their own perceived shortcomings onto the younger generation.
What is the perspective of a high school teacher on Gen Z's respect for adults?
-The high school teacher in the script observes a decline in respect for adults among Gen Z students, suggesting it's a characteristic of the entire generation.
According to the script, how do some people working with Gen Z in a college setting view them?
-Some individuals working with Gen Z in a college setting view them as incredibly thoughtful and put together, contradicting the negative stereotypes.
What challenges does the script suggest Gen Z faces that previous generations did not?
-Gen Z faces challenges such as increased loneliness due to the pandemic, the pressure of growing up in front of a computer, and a more difficult life due to various societal pressures, including financial stress.
How has the pandemic impacted Gen Z's social skills, as mentioned in the script?
-The pandemic has led to increased feelings of loneliness and isolation among Gen Z, with 72% of U.S teens reporting increased loneliness, which has had a profound impact on their social skills.
What opportunities has the script highlighted for Gen Z despite the challenges?
-Despite the challenges, Gen Z has opportunities to take initiative, as seen during the pandemic with increased political engagement and the use of platforms like TikTok to launch careers.
What is the script's stance on the role of social media in Gen Z's life?
-The script presents a balanced view, acknowledging that while social media can contribute to feelings of isolation, it also provides a platform for connection, self-expression, and community building.
How does the script address the issue of mental health among Gen Z?
-The script highlights a clear mental health crisis with increased rates of depression and anxiety, but also notes that Gen Z is more proactive in seeking help and using digital tools for mental health support.
What advice does the script offer to those struggling with social skills?
-The script suggests that time and age can naturally improve social skills, and recommends engaging with diverse information, communities, and experiences to develop social skills.
Outlines
📱 Gen Z: The 'Soft' Generation?
The paragraph discusses the perception of Generation Z as being 'soft', with less time spent outdoors and more time in front of screens. It explores whether Gen Z's social skills are declining, contrasting opinions from a teacher who sees a lack of respect for adults with another who finds them thoughtful and put-together. The critique of Gen Z is suggested to be a projection of older generations' flaws. The paragraph also touches on how social media affects real-life interactions and the ease with which Gen Z's feelings can be hurt, leading to isolation. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on social skills and mental health is highlighted, with increased loneliness and the potential for burnout. There's a debate on whether Gen Z is less resilient or if they are just facing different challenges.
🌐 Digital Natives: Navigating Social Media and Mental Health
This section delves into Gen Z's increased participation in politics and their use of social media for activism. It contrasts the potential social decline with an increase in 'digital extrovertedness', where despite less face-to-face interaction, there is a rise in online engagement. The paragraph discusses the impact of screen time on mental health, with high levels of depression and anxiety among young people. It also explores the use of online therapy and AI chatbots for mental health support. The narrative suggests that Gen Z is more proactive in seeking help for mental health issues compared to older generations, but also more susceptible to the negative effects of technology and social media.
🤔 The Impact of Technology on Social Skills
The paragraph examines the impact of social media on Gen Z's social skills, questioning whether technology is to blame for any decline. It presents research suggesting physical effects of excessive screen time, such as brain shrinkage, and how this can affect concentration. However, it also points out that there is no evidence of poorer face-to-face social skills in children who use screens moderately. The paragraph discusses the potential for technology to both isolate and empower Gen Z, facilitating communication without limitations while also hindering human contact. It raises the question of whether the definition of social skills needs to evolve to include digital interactions.
🔗 Redefining Community and Friendship in the Digital Age
This section discusses the changing nature of community and friendship for Gen Z, with a significant number having friends only known online. It explores the idea that online communities can be more accepting and easier to connect with than real-life ones. The paragraph also addresses the impact of lockdowns on Gen Z's social skills and their ability to form and maintain friendships. It suggests that the self-reliant nature of technology has made Gen Z more inclined towards individual work and communication, which could impact the sense of community. Advice is given to those struggling with social skills, emphasizing the importance of engaging with different communities and perspectives.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Gen Z
💡Social Skills
💡Social Media
💡Mental Health
💡Isolation
💡Digital Natives
💡Polarization
💡Resilience
💡Distrust
💡Skillshare
💡Community
Highlights
Discussion on whether Gen Z is less resilient due to spending less time outside and being more focused on technology.
Criticism of Gen Z for being less respectful to adults and the suggestion that this might be a common trait among younger generations.
A college worker's perspective that Gen Z students are thoughtful and well-organized, contrary to some stereotypes.
Argument that older generations project their flaws onto younger generations, particularly Gen Z.
Concerns about the decline in social skills among Gen Z, with less face-to-face interaction and more time spent online.
A 17-year-old's view on the importance of social skills for forming relationships.
Observation that Gen Z's interaction with others is often mediated through gaming and social media.
Comparison of social skills between Gen Z and older generations, with concerns about Gen Z being more sensitive.
The impact of social media on Gen Z's self-esteem and how a lack of likes can hurt their feelings.
Discussion on the benefits of online communities and the ability to connect with people worldwide through social media.
A challenge to older generations to view Gen Z from a different perspective, considering their unique challenges.
The pandemic's effect on Gen Z, leading to increased loneliness and difficulties in developing social skills.
Gen Z's increased participation in politics and social issues, such as BLM, showing their initiative and engagement.
The rise of digital extroversion among Gen Z as they spend more time online, despite concerns about screen time.
A debate on whether Gen Z faces more challenges than previous generations, such as the pressure of technology and social media.
Mental health concerns among Gen Z, with higher rates of depression and anxiety, and their proactive approach to seeking help.
The role of technology in shaping Gen Z's social skills and the potential negative impacts on concentration and information processing.
The potential for technology to empower Gen Z and enable innovation, as seen in examples like Amber Yang's achievements.
The evolving definition of community and social skills in the digital age, with Gen Z being more open-minded.
The importance of adapting to change and using technology as a tool for networking and community building.
Transcripts
do you think gen Z is soft I think
they're very very soft if you spend less
time outside they've been born almost in
front of a computer we're always trying
to blame other things rather than
blaming ourselves why do you think
everyone makes fun of gen Z you know you
can see on the old movies we had manners
and everything Tick Tock is a daredevil
our brains are dying so today I'm out
here and the question I'm asking is are
gen Z social skills declining I teach
school and I see the declining no
respect for adults wouldn't you say
that's like most middle schoolers though
no that's high school and that's the
whole generation that's coming up now no
one cares about anybody I work for a
college I interact with Gen Z students
constantly I think they're incredibly
thoughtful I think they're incredibly
put together some of the critiques of
gen Z are actually older Generations
projecting their own flaws onto the
younger folks to really characterize it
in more General sense they're more
self-centered to have social skills to
be gracious to have Poise and to see the
other side you know from the other point
of view I think that's really gone
downhill we spend less time outside we
spend less time talking to other people
how old are you by the way 17-17
definitely gen Z how do you define
social skills and why is it important to
talk to people to maintain conversations
um get girls get girls yeah that's a
social skill are they
that's a good one that's what good
social skills can get you yes
living in social media they are like
more shy in real life but I don't think
that counts as bad if I look at my son
who's 18 his interaction with people is
related to games more than anything else
you think he was farther behind in
social skills than when you were at 18
yes they've been as I said in front of
computers and cell phones and whatever
all their life their feelings hurt
really easy so if they go on social
media and they post something you don't
get likes their feelings hurt so now
they just isolate themselves they go on
Tick Tock and that's much easier you'd
be surprised there's a lot of like
online communities and now obviously
with social media right you're actually
able to probably meet people all around
the world that you couldn't isn't that
also like a form of communication yeah
but there's nothing like face to face if
everything becomes virtual where are we
heading because nowadays it feels like
everyone's blaming gen Z for all their
problems those people who are 26 and
younger tend to be the most challenging
to work with the worst generation of all
time a lack of effort and a lack of
motivation and despite being more
connected we're also lonelier than ever
tonight I'm extra lonely the younger you
are the lonelier you might be but even
though social media's always mentioned
as the root of all evil I knew that that
was just the surface now someone on the
cusp of gen Z and Millennial I wanted to
explore from both sides whether gen Z
deserves to be called the worst
generation ever so is Gen Z really
losing social skills or are we
witnessing a redefinition of social
interaction it is all this hate on gen Z
just older Generations fear of being
left behind I guess we gonna see do you
think gen Z takes less or more risks
compared to your generation why would
you want to be an adult earlier in the
sense of have a family and stuff I don't
begrudge people in their 20s and early
30s who want to enjoy life but you have
to understand that's a luxury that you
have it's a luxury my parents and their
generation did not have probably more
risk you know there's so many
opportunities right now so many things
that they can look at as far as jobs are
concerned as far as travel is concerned
I'd say less because we're less outside
we we don't have as much opportunities
opportunities to mess up what do you
mean by the less opportunities to mess
up if you're more inside right you won't
jump on a shopping cart and do weird
stuff on a shopping cart because you're
in your house you're in your bed on your
phone right damage NZ you're not helping
your case so now I want to challenge the
older generations to at least view gen Z
from a different lens what unique
challenges do you think gen Z faces that
your generation did not I think Life as
a young person is more difficult the
pressures on life and even with all the
technology around you it has not made
your actual life easier they've been
born almost in front of a computer
they're not used to physical work that's
that's a big issue covert has made
people weary of people and so they face
the isolation so do you think that gen Z
is living in more of a environment of
distrust compared your previous
generations absolutely in the pandemic
of the last three years is a better case
study than anything of the unique
challenge encountered by a rising
generation fast breaking developments in
the coronavirus emergency in the U.S at
home that is the order tonight this is a
global pandemic stay home the
disruptions to daily routines during
their formative years resulted in 72
percent of U.S teens reporting increased
loneliness and had a profound impact on
the social skills of gen z i remember
crying every night
not knowing what was going on and I felt
so alone remote work and online classes
severely limited the opportunity to
develop skills like teamwork as group
work became less accessible in a social
isolation limited access to social
networks known to be coping mechanisms
of Stress and Anxiety gen Z was in
higher risk for Burnout and further
seclusion why am I having so many mental
breakdowns
but on the other hand it also led to
more opportunities to take initiative
during the pandemic the youth witnessed
the political Awakening utilizing social
media to address issues like blf and as
a result youth voter turnout increased
by eight percent compared to 2016.
voters under 30 have shown increased
participation in the last few elections
young voters turned out in historic
numbers and with more time alone gen Z
also took initiative by using platforms
like Tick Tock to launch careers by
reaching Millions around the world in
minutes and so despite evidence of
social decline there was a simultaneous
rise in digital extrovertedness as lives
shifted more online there was less
face-to-face interactions but our agenzi
spending way too much time on phones
instead of real life how many hours a
day do you spend on your phone I think
like 10 hours too much like five hours
maybe so three hours and 21 minutes okay
5 32. what do you think will be like a
healthy amount of like screen time for
anyone less than like seven eight hours
is like a full-time job as long as you
don't they're not like obsessed with it
you'll be fine okay could you go a week
without your phone yes is the weather is
good or bad the prevailing trend is
towards an increasingly digital world
and for those seeking what's next in
their journey of fulfillment instead of
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and so with that I want to explore
further on the impact of these
challenges on gen Z have these
challenges molded resiliency or has it
nurtured a sense of being sheltered do
you think gen Z is soft compared to
previous generations I'll be diplomatic
I'll say perhaps I think they're very
very soft I just feel like because of
social media they're so much more easier
things to get your dopamine Rush rather
than like working towards getting your
own dopamine Rush why do you think
everyone makes fun of gen Z do we make
fun of them or are we disgusted with
them or humor is kind of like weird kind
of cringe kind of
it is weird actually it's easy also it's
like to point the finger on someone else
and say oh you're weird and everything I
think we do because I think it's an ego
thing I think we want to leave a legacy
we want to say oh I was part of that
that created the cars I was that that
created AI they say the hardest things
is to recognize somebody who's doing
better than you maybe they're resentful
that they're getting older I think
people just genuinely like to pretend
that they were smarter and more
thoughtful and more well-rounded when
they were a younger person you know you
can see on the old movies we had manners
and everything we're in a very polarized
forget about politics culturally we like
care a lot more about more stuff like
racism sexism and boomers are not like
open to a lot of those conversations
there's a lot of things in the past that
haven't been discussed enough for
example the topic of mental health
probably wasn't as talked as much in
previous generation but you guys
actually handled that I think in a
better way or at least or it's more out
in the open before there was so many
taboos that like caused insecurities and
fears in people and that's important to
talk about and with 13 of us teens
experiencing major depressive episodes
and on their living being the second
leading cause of death among teens there
is a clear Mental Health crisis
we see rates of depression and anxiety
inside going up among young people
depression has almost become normalized
but compared to older Generations gen Z
is a lot more proactive as reported 37
of gen Zia saw help from mental health
professionals and contributed 42 percent
of all spending on mental health
treatment last year Sydney started a
mental health support group for students
at her school I've done a little bit of
EMDR and it's been amazing and in line
with the preference towards digital
options gen Z has a 50 higher usage of
online therapy apps and even AI in 2020
the first fully therapeutic AI chatbot
robot was created to provide accessible
care to individuals at any time meet
robot the friendly little bot who's
ready to listen 24 7. but this exact
accessibility also highlighted the
concern so doc do you think this is a
good idea it certainly can help people
who are already in therapy it's
certainly not meant to replace it the
free nature of the service LED users to
become overly dependent on its advice
resulting in self-diagnosis and even the
application of its strategies to
relatives with more severe disorders so
with all that said why is Gen Z the most
depressed generation because at first
glance the best advice for anxiety
caused by technological isolation or
stress from current events is to just
close your damn laptop bro considering
91 of gen Z's main source of stress is
related to money work and housing it
becomes evident that what used to be
more accessible in the past is certainly
becoming unattainable so while older
Generations May perceive that gen Z have
it easier it's important to acknowledge
that every generation faces its own
unique and relatable challenges and so
with all the talk around social media's
impacts it's worth questioning as
validity as the root of all evil kind of
like the common rhetoric around Genesis
that you guys are soft do you think
social media has had an impact on that
with social media like if it's not
around the same opinion of the norm
people get mad and people get pissed in
the how are you with handling like
disagreements or like opposite views is
there something that I truly bothers me
I guess I'll think about it and see it
well does that is that really an issue
with me if I'm not then I'm not and it's
like is there a problem you know do you
think we blame social media too much on
problems people are so addicted to these
things but they don't actually control
their own life social media almost does
and so that's why like you know people
are softer than ever fortunate I mean
all of us like to be the victim kind of
you know we're always trying to blame
other things rather than blaming
ourselves because we can't go and talk
to people if we want but of course there
are incentives to life and if you never
had the choice of really interacting
with people online then you would be
forced to go out into the real world and
try to make meaningful Productions but
of course it's not like a simple
equation there's also multiple factors
and with Gen Z spending over five hours
a day in front of screens they're
addicted but is it accurate to blame
technology for declining social skills
on one hand research has indicated
physical effects such as brain shrinkage
due to excessive use which can make
information processing more challenging
social media use is not harmless it can
actually have a significant negative
impact this can permanently reduce your
capacity for concentration this is
probably why sculling on Tick Tock all
day instead of watching my videos is why
you're so damn stupid but looking at the
other side research shows that apart
from children who excessively game and
go on social media there is no evidence
suggesting poorer face-to-face social
skills when compared to children with
limited screen exposure and along those
lines to also consider that sociability
is only one aspect of a person's
development and that abilities like
resilience and self-awareness are just
as important and especially when we even
consider anomalies like Amber Yang who
even surpassed NASA's models for
creating an AI program for satellite
safety is serves as evidence that a
digital first generation has even
greater potential for Innovation and so
it's clear that it's not as easy easy as
technology equals bad because on one
hand technology has empowered gen Z to
communicate without limitations and on
the other hand that very same technology
has isolated then and hindered human
contact essential for experiencing
empathy belonging and love and as a
society continues to embrace the
metaverse in AI the world is only going
to become more digital and so should our
definition of social skills be limited
to physical interactions or should our
perception of community be reimagined do
you think social media has helped create
Community or destroyed Community it's a
lot harder to fund a community in real
life people are a lot more judgmental
IRL are you a part of like online
community uh I like a lot of music and a
lot of that is online and I really love
the community online 2020 brought a lot
of people together and there was a large
scale conversation about what racism
looks like but uh we can also see
political parties are increasingly
French and increasingly disparate Tick
Tock is a daredevil we've had middle
schoolers that go in the bathrooms and
could go on Tick Tock and then oh we're
going to do this they will tear down
bathrooms and things like that our
brains are dying Tick Tock is kind of
making everyone the same Trends blow up
on Tick Tock so people start saying like
sayings that they see on Tick Tock
little opinions kind of infiltrate them
if you look at my Pence and my in my
shoes that's something that comes from
to talk people are less unique not being
unique and unique also creates like a
community like that's an interesting
thought yeah because in a way like if
you're not unique it's probably easier
to create a community right are you a
bot I might I might be an NBC you never
know like wouldn't you say then that
like with this new Innovations of
Technology it's actually maybe even
innovating what communication once was
there's no Frontiers even if you don't
speak their language you can use
translating gen Z are probably more
open-minded than the kids when I was a
young adult or an adolescent but as gen
Z enters the real world has this
open-mindedness to Opportunities led to
success
because traditionally schools and
workplaces are provided connected shared
experiences for young adults in previous
generations these organizations no
longer serve that purpose for Gen Z
compared to 40 of baby boomers that have
workplace friends only 24 of gen Z can
say the same in a long time they share
not screen all day not being able to
meet friends and socialize with people
the lockdowns are restricted in-person
work in education had a significant
impact on gen Z's ability to sustain
friends and make new ones what do you
think the pandemic took from young
people it took away the spirit of being
young but can we just blame the
lockdowns compared to previous
generations the self-reliant nature of
technology has made gen Z more inclined
towards individual work and
communication they're not as in tuned or
in need of that social like interaction
but the problem with that is you lose
that skill and when the next generation
is more comfortable being alone and
remote it's clear that I'll have an
impact on the sense of community and so
I wanted to ask each generation this
question how many friends do you have
true friends happy five depending on
your definition of friends in my very
between 1 and 50 from like a dozen close
friends are like 10 a lot a couple dozen
at least I'd say I I don't think I have
more than two good friends with real
friends what would you consider a true
friend true friend is gonna be somebody
that's gonna give you the things you
want to hear and the things you don't
want to hear and that's simply the truth
yeah cause I hated this interview me too
I've got a couple of online friends one
that lives in like Morocco my best
friend lives in New York and you've
never met them in person never met them
but like one of my closest friends ever
online you can be more open with someone
and they understand you more and I guess
that's what makes a true friendship do
you think that you're able to cultivate
true friendships through online you're
only able to know who someone is when
you see them interacting not only with
you but with other people I guess you
can always create a Persona online right
exactly so whether good or bad what a
community looks like it means has
evolved today 51 of gen Z is friends
with someone they only know online and
have never met in person and with
popular apps like Bumble BFF and online
communities like Facebook and Discord
groups Link in description it's easier
than ever to find like-minded people
from all over the world but when only
around half of Americans have meaningful
in-person interactions on a daily basis
what direction are we headed towards due
to this social media driven era and as
it always has been it's time we let the
older Generations fulfill their
Collective duty to impart their wisdom
what advice would you give to someone
who is struggling with social skills
time is your friend get older and older
you you're a little more confident a
little more assertive just as a function
of age and time if nothing else digest
information and stories that are not
stuff you're familiar with engaging with
other communities and thinking
critically about other communities
another interest how other people in the
world exist it's a mushroom God said
talk to people have fun start
interviewing people on the street
yeah say yes to Street interviews and
also do Street interviews yeah it's so
obviously I'm not suggesting that
becoming a Creator is the solution to
your social skills but rather to
consider a different perspective
pace of change is accelerating in the
traditional approaches to doing things
is being reimagined for years in-person
human interactions have played a role in
learning in various activities but even
that's changing whether Better or Worse
gone are the days where daily visits to
the newspaper stand or long
conversations with colleagues at work
was necessary to feel a sense of
belonging and what I realized is that
the hate on gen Z stems from the fear of
every generation and their legacy of
being left behind and forgotten but it's
only those that Embrace change that will
start to see the opportunities we need
to stop treating social media like a
luxury item and start thinking about it
as something like a tool that we're all
going to have our hands on and we need
to know how to use it we need to know
how to think critically when we're
engaging with it it's for the first time
in history we're living in an era that
we can Network at scale and it's exactly
how I was able to meet the closest
people in my life from my girlfriend in
Brazil that I met through this video to
my business manager in Montreal all
through that video to my creative
director Dylan and Dallas who reached
out after this video and even Dede in
Germany who's editing this say what's up
DD what's up we're living in an era of
unprecedented opportunities in a
previous generations have overcome
challenges far more difficult than this
one then why can't the dumb soft gen Z
figured this one out on their own
because it's only those who are most
comfortable with change that can
liberate themselves from the shackles of
the past and that's exactly the mission
to explore the unfamiliar and with that
thanks to your sponsor skillshare for
helping us explore the first installment
in our series on gen Z if you want to
subscribe and keep watching more then
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