A B E G A I L VA S O L S A C R I S

GEN Z
GEC E3 – LIVING IN IT ERA
WHAT IS GENERATION Z (GEN Z)?

Generation Z, is the youngest, most ethnically-

diverse, and largest generation in American history,
comprising 27% of the US population. Pew Research
recently defined Gen Z as anyone born 1997 onwards. Gen
Z grew up with technology, the internet, and social media,
which sometimes causes them to be stereotyped as tech-
addicted, anti-social, or “social justice warriors.”

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 Gen Alpha, which includes children born after 2010, is already set to be the
most transformative generation yet. Alphas haven’t just grown up with technology—
they’ve been completely immersed in it since birth.

Early in their formative years, these children are comfortable speaking to voice
assistants and swiping on smartphones. They don’t consider technologies to be tools
used to help achieve tasks, but rather as deeply integrated parts of everyday life.

GENERATION ALPHA
WHAT ARE MILLENNIALS (GEN Y)?

Millennials, also known as Generation Y, include anyone born between

1981 and 1996 (ages 26 to 41 in 2022) and represent about a quarter of the US
population. Much of this cohort entered the workforce at the height of the
Great Recession, and have struggled with the subsequent widening of the
generational wealth gap.

Millennials have led older generations in technology adoption and

embracing digital solutions. Their financial status and tech-savviness have
fundamentally changed how they live and work—earning them stereotypes that
they job hop and have killed a number of industries. Prior to Gen Z,
millennials were the largest and most racially and ethnically diverse
generation.

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WHAT IS GENERATION X (GEN X)?

Generation X, also known as Gen X, the latchkey generation or, jokingly, the
forgotten or middle child generation, consists of people born between 1965 and 1980
(ages 42-57 in 2022). Currently, Gen X comprises 20.6% of the US population, making
them smaller than any other age demographic.

This cohort grew up with higher divorce rates and more two-income households,
resulting in a general lack of an adult presence in their childhoods and teenage years. As
such, Gen X is generally viewed as peer-oriented and entrepreneurial in spirit.
 WHAT IS BABY BOOMERS?

The Baby Boomer generation is anyone born between 1943 and 1960.
They are called Baby Boomers because when the men returned from fighting in
World War II, a large increase in birth rates followed, thus creating a baby boom.
Baby Boomers were raised in a prosperous economic time. This generation did
not grow up dependent on technology as our younger generations have (Kaifi et
al., 2012; Smola & Sutton, 2002).
 WHAT IS BABY BOOMERS?

Growing up to the development of technology, they are classified as digital

immigrants. Boomers were in their teens to early 30s when the first IBM PC’s and
Apples appeared. They grew up with pre-cellphone mobile technology, such as radio,
television and landline telephones. Therefore, they did not have videogames or
cellphones in their childhood. When it comes to technology, the Baby Boomers
experienced a much different upbringing, compared to those born after them.

The main technology breakthrough at that time was the rotary telephone and
tube television. Otherwise, entertainment could be found outdoors with other children in
the neighborhood, where conversational skills, exercise and life lessons occurred.
 WHAT ARE THE COMMON GENERATION Z
CHARACTERISTICS?

The average Gen Z got their

first smartphone just before their 12th The majority of Gen Zs prefer
birthday. They communicate primarily streaming services to traditional cable,
through social media and texts, and as well as getting snackable content
spend as much time on their phones as they can get on their phones and
older generations do watching computers.
television.
HOW ARE GEN ZERS DIFFERENT FROM
MILLENNIALS?
• They are generally more pragmatic, with both complicated idealism and worries
for the future. Gen Zers dream of personal career fulfillment but expect
economic struggles.
• They have less positive life outlooks, with lower levels of emotional and social
well-being than older generations.
• They are more interested in belonging to an inclusive, supportive community.
• They are more individualistic, with a stronger sense of personal expression.
• They are more politically and socially active, advocating for what they believe
on social media.
 GEC E3 – Living in IT Era
Understanding Gen Z's media habits is
essential for advertisers aiming for precision
and impact. This generation prioritizes digital
platforms like YouTube and TikTok over
traditional media, creating an imperative for
brands to adapt.

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 THE DIGITAL LANDSCAPE
Gen Z is a generation that lives and Advertisers need to adapt and focus
breathes digital, prioritizing platforms their efforts on these digital platforms
like YouTube and TikTok over to capture Gen Z's attention effectively.
traditional media. This shift from The digital landscape is vast, but
traditional to digital media represents a pinpointing where Gen Z spends their
fundamental lifestyle choice for this time can significantly enhance your
generation. advertising ROI.
SOCIAL MEDIA
PREFERENCES
When it comes to social media, Gen Z has clear favorites.

GEC E3 – Living in IT Era

YouTube and TikTok are the platforms where they spend most of
their time. The key to engaging them here is through interactive
and authentic content. Forget the hard sell; Gen Z values genuine
connections.

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 GEC E3 – Living in IT Era
Percentage of Gen Z active on various social media platforms:

• 98% on YouTube
• 84% on TikTok
• 61% on Snap
• 58% on Instagram
• 56% on Facebook.

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 Gen Z's media consumption habits are a
blend of the modern and the traditional,
with a significant tilt towards the
former. Gen Z watches the least
STREAMING television of all generations, averaging
just 1:12 hours a day. This is in stark
SERVICES AND contrast to older generations like the
Baby Boomers, who clock in at over 5
TELEVISION hours a day. The shift is not just in the
medium but also in the content they
consume. While linear TV still has a
role, it's diminishing in the face of
streaming platforms and short-form
video content.
In addition, a staggering 61% of Gen Z When it comes to specific streaming
TikTok users are more likely to watch platforms and content, the data is
video on TikTok (10.5 hours/week) than revealing. 55% of our audience watch
on TV (8.4 hours/week). YouTube long-form streaming content on
follows closely, with Gen Z spending an Disney+, while 36% watch Hulu, and
average of 6.9 hours per week on the 15% watch HBO Max. In terms of
platform. Netflix trails in third place, programs, 18% watch You, 10% watch
capturing their attention for 3.1 hours Sex Education, and another 10% watch
per week. These platforms are not just Outer Banks. A significant 83% of this
entertainment sources; they are cultural audience binge-watches, with varying
touchstones for Gen Z. frequencies.
PODCASTS AND AUDIO
PLATFORMS
Streaming audio (35%) and YouTube (24%), with traditional
AM/FM radio accounting for just 15% of their listening time. This is in
sharp contrast to adults 25 and older, who are more likely to listen to
AM/FM radio (43%).
PODCASTS AND AUDIO PLATFORMS
 42% stream audio at home
 35% while commuting, and
• Spotify 64%
 25% at work or school. When it comes to radio
• Apple Music – 23% genres,
• Soundcloud – 15%  32% of our audience listen to Pop,
 22% to Urban (Hip-Hop/R&B), and
 14% to Alternative

The majority of radio listening happens in the car

(54%), followed by at home (24%) and at work or
school (14%).
GAMING AND SOCIAL CONNECTION

Gaming is not just a pastime for Gen Z; it's a primary form of

GEC E3 – Living in IT Era

entertainment and social connection. A staggering 87% of Gen Zers play
video games at least weekly, compared to 83% of Millennials and 79%
of Gen Xers. Moreover, 26% of Gen Zers state that video games are their
favorite entertainment activity, a sentiment that decreases with age. This
is the first modern generation for whom traditional TV shows or movies
at home are not the go-to form of entertainment.

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GAMING AND SOCIAL CONNECTION

The reasons Gen Z engages in gaming are also noteworthy. 70%

GEC E3 – Living in IT Era

of Gen Z teen gamers (ages 14-19) reported playing video games to stay
connected to others, compared to 58% of Gen Z adult gamers (ages 20-
25). This indicates that gaming is not just about the game itself but also
about the social interactions it facilitates. Livestreaming is another
significant aspect, with 50% of Gen Zers having watched others play
video games online, and 20% having streamed their own gameplay,
predominantly on platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming.

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 LESSON 2:
OVERVIEW OF NEW
TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT
Technology today is evolving at a rapid pace, enabling
faster change and progress, causing an acceleration of the
rate of change. However, it is not only technology trends
and emerging technologies that are evolving, a lot more
has changed, making IT professionals realize that their
role will not stay the same in the contactless world
tomorrow.

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The Role Of Technology In The Future
And Its Impact On Society Our lives have gotten simpler,
more productive, and more
In only a few short decades, interconnected as a result of
technological innovation has altered every technological advancements.
aspect of human existence. Technology has Technology has brought about many
played a crucial part in developing the good improvements that have altered the
modern world, from the development of the way we connect and the environment,
wheel to the most recent advances in from cell phones to virtual reality to
artificial intelligence. artificial intelligence.
 FUTURE OF TECHNOLOGY:

1. Artificial Intelligence
One of the most fascinating developments in modern
technology is artificial intelligence (AI). Voice recognition, picture
identification, and NLP are just a few of the domains where AI has
made great strides. Yet AI has many more promising applications than
that. AI might significantly alter the healthcare, financial, and
transportation sectors. It also has the potential to aid in the fight
against climate change and extreme poverty.
 FUTURE OF TECHNOLOGY:

2. Internet Of Things

The term “Internet of Things” (IoT) describes the global

system of interconnected computing devices that can exchange data
and instructions through the Internet. Many sorts of sensors, from
those used in industry to those in the household, fall under this
category.
 FUTURE OF TECHNOLOGY:

3. Augmented And Virtual Reality

Both augmented and virtual reality have seen significant

growth in interest over the past several years. The goal of both
virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) is to allow users to
interact with digital information superimposed over the physical
world.
 FUTURE OF TECHNOLOGY:
4. Blockchain
Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies rely on the underlying
technology known as the blockchain. Nevertheless, blockchain
technology may be used for more than just cryptocurrencies.
Blockchain is a distributed ledger that facilitates safe data storage and
transfer. Financial services, healthcare, and supply chain management
are just a few examples of sectors that might benefit greatly. The
concept of blockchains technology is set to revolutionize not just the
finance or healthcare industry but many aspects of business,
government and even our personal lives.
FUTURE OF TECHNOLOGY:
 FUTURE OF TECHNOLOGY:

5. 5g Networks
The fifth-generation (5G) mobile networks will be
significantly quicker and less laggy than the existing fourth-
generation (4G) networks. New uses, including autonomous
vehicles, smart cities, and telesurgery, may be made possible by 5G
networks. In some regions of the world, however, infrastructural
issues have slowed the introduction of 5G networks.
 FUTURE OF TECHNOLOGY:

6. Quantum Computing
Computing in the quantum realm involves the application of
quantum mechanical concepts to the computation process. Problems
that are now intractable with classical computing may be amenable
to solutions with quantum computing.
 FUTURE OF TECHNOLOGY:

7. Biotechnology
Innovations in industry and medicine that make use of
biological systems, cells, and creatures are called “biotechnology.”
Medicine, farming, and even power generation are just some of the
many fields that might benefit from biotechnology. When new
illness remedies and cures are discovered, biotechnology is poised to
play an increasingly larger role in people’s lives in the years to
come.
 FUTURE OF TECHNOLOGY:

8. Robotics
Automatic devices that can carry out certain tasks are the
focus of robotics research. Several industries could benefit from the
use of robotics, including construction, medicine, and transportation.
There is hope for the future of robotics in creating machines with
human-like cognitive abilities.
 FUTURE OF TECHNOLOGY:

9. Cloud Computing
Computing in the cloud involves transferring data to and
storing it on remote servers. Data storage and retrieval have been
completely transformed by cloud computing. As more and more
programs and services are built to take use of cloud computing, its
prominence is only projected to grow. Cloud computing, for
instance, may run AI programs like voice assistants and picture
identification services.
 FUTURE OF TECHNOLOGY:

10. Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly crucial as the
prevalence of technology grows. Cybersecurity is the practice of
keeping computers and networks safe from intrusion via electronic
means. The prevalence of cyber threats suggests that protecting data
will only grow in significance.