Born between 1997 and 2013, Gen Z is the first “digitally native” generation, embracing the technology that defined their upbringing. By influencing cultural trends, championing social causes, and refusing to conform to outdated expectations, these young people are making a major impact. Here’s what to know about this dynamic generation.

Gen Z has had to adapt to a world that constantly asks them to define themselves digitally, with social media and other internet spaces playing a key role in social interactions. The many unspoken rules about what kind of posts, comments, and conversations are acceptable online have formed a unique culture that many young people have internalized.

Being active on social media often means creating a second identity, one that differs significantly from how a young person behaves and feels in real life. Online personas are often bolder or more polished, with posts carefully curated to keep up a consistently appealing image. The relationship between an online and an IRL (in real life) self, and choosing how to interact with peers that see both, adds an extra layer of complexity to Gen Z’s social experience.

The pressure to follow specific norms on social media has led to a rise of low-pressure outlets like the “finsta” (short for fake Instagram). These private social media accounts offer a place to share more honest, unfiltered thoughts and experiences with a select circle of close friends. Similarly, popular share-in-the-moment apps like BeReal are designed for sharing content that’s more low-stakes and authentic. Other popular social apps are explicitly designed to be anonymous, allowing teens to share secrets, gossip, and other personal info without hurting their curated image.

Slang helps Gen Z communicate with each other, but it can also signify belonging to the same trendy internet circles. Slang spreads quickly on platforms like TikTok or Twitch, often through viral trends or hashtags. Because these digital spaces transcend location, using popular online slang allows young people around the world to establish trust and connect.

To keep up with which words and phrases are in vogue, Gen Z has to pay close attention to how others speak and behave. Expressions come in and out of fashion at a dizzying rate, with terms like “bussin,’” “cheugy,” and “sus” considered unquestionably outdated despite past popularity. A digital cleanse as short as a few weeks can mean falling out of touch with a rapidly transforming linguistic landscape, so many young people feel pressure to stay online to catch the current trends.

After the pandemic, many jobs moved away from the rigid 9 to 5 structure to be more flexible with location and hours. At the same time, the “antiwork” movement gained traction, rejecting traditional career power dynamics in favor of advocating for workers’ rights. These shifts came at a time when Gen Z was preparing to enter the job market, empowering young workers and creating an expectation of work/life balance, fair pay, and empathy from leadership.

More conscious about finances than previous generations, Gen Z has embraced side hustles, or sources of income outside of a main job. As many grew up during the financial crisis and feel a need to maximize their earning potential, Gen Z often uses digital platforms to seek out gigs, freelance work, and other sources of cash flow.

Due to the popularity of short-form social media content and the rise of digital advertising, Gen Z is known for having a shorter attention span than previous generations. Preferring to consume content in small, digestible chunks, Gen Z is captivated by polished infographics and colorful visuals. Platforms that focus on visual learning and quick summaries are most effective for conveying information to this generation.

More than any generation before them, Gen Z has embraced being open and honest about mental health. Young people are consistently reporting high levels of stress and unhappiness, many suffering from isolation during the pandemic or dealing with poor self-image exacerbated by social media. By openly sharing personal struggles, normalizing therapy, and supporting their peers, Gen Z has decreased the stigma around seeking help and made the conversation around wellbeing more transparent.