Generation Z, sometimes abbreviated as Gen Z, is the generation that comes before Generation Alpha and after Millennials. It is also referred to as Zoomers. The generation is commonly defined as those who were born between 1997 and 2012, with researchers and the media using the mid-to-late 1990s as the starting birth year and the early 2010s as the ending birth year. Most members of Generation Z are the children of younger Baby Boomers or Generation X.
Every generation surpasses the one before it in a world that is changing quickly, especially in terms of technology. This dynamic was recently brought to light by poet and social thinker Shaswati Biplob in a perceptive Facebook post about Generation Z, or Gen-G.
He contrasts the technological landscapes of different generations, noting how today's youth navigate a digital world far beyond what earlier generations could have imagined.
Gen-G, encompassing those born between 1997 and 2012, are currently aged 12 to 27. This cohort has grown up with smartphones and social media, diverging significantly from their predecessors, who witnessed the rise of cable TV and early mobile phones.
The nomenclature of generations often emerges from a mix of historical context and media consensus, rather than official decrees. Here’s a brief overview of the generational landscape:
• Greatest Generation (1901–1927): Currently over 95 years old.
• Silent Generation (1928–1945): Ages 79–94.
• Baby Boomers (1946–1964): Ages 60–78.
• Generation X (1965–1980): Ages 44–59.
• Millennials (Generation Y) (1981–1996): Ages 28–43. Often referred to as ‘nineties kids’ if they grew up in that decade.
• Generation Z (Gen-Z) (1997–2012): Ages 12 to 27.
• Generation Alpha (2013-2024): Ages 0 to 12. Their defining characteristics are still developing.
While Gen-Z’s exact end date remains unclear, the emergence of Gen Alpha is already shaping new societal trends. Each generation reflects a unique set of experiences and technological advancements, influencing their worldviews and behaviours in distinct ways.
As technology and culture continue to evolve, so too will the definitions and characteristics of these generational cohorts, painting a complex and ever-changing portrait of human progress.
