Is the spirit of youth lost on Gen Z?
whatever happened to 'young, wild, and free'?
Welcome to the latest edition of The Gen Zer. This week, we discuss partying, sobriety, and the rise of health-focused behaviours amongst young people. We also take a look at ‘micro-shifts’, financial advice, and more . . .
I awoke to the sound of blaring fire alarms, a home invasion, and a construction crew digging up the pavement outside. Wiping sleep from my eyes, it turned out that the fire alarm was my bedside clock, the invasion was my roommate banging on my door to check for signs of life, and the pounding I heard was actually coming from inside my head.
The Sunday morning hangover had arrived with a bang.
I looked around and was met with evidence of last night’s epic party. The room was dotted with overflowing ashtrays, knocked over beer pong cups, and a Jenga-like tower of pizza crusts. Only slightly more worrying was the trail of clothing leading up to the stranger sleeping beside me.
Memories of the night were few and far between, and trying to recollect them required painful brain functions I simply did not have. Meeting my flatmates in the kitchen to munch on leftover crisps and much-needed coffee, we began our weekend ritual of piecing together the night’s events. Like every post-party recap, the details were thin on the ground – we only remembered the funniest, wildest moments. And if anything embarrassing happened, there was certainly no proof of it.
Of course there wasn’t… the year was 2004.
Fast forward two decades and young people still have that same desire for freedom and fun times, but a new set of external influences have irrevocably transformed their experience.
These new circumstances are most evident when observing members of Gen Z – those born between the late 1990s and early 2010s – who are noticeably rejecting vices once seen as rites of passage. Drinking? No thanks. Smoking? Declining. One-night stands? Rarer than ever before. These shifts are baffling researchers and parents who can’t help but ask: whatever happened to being young, wild, and free?
The answer might be staring us right in the face… literally. Technology has no doubt influenced Gen Z’s coming of age, but it is also changing young people’s relationship with risk and indulgence. With our devices holding up a mirror to all of our actions, we’re presented with the daily opportunity to observe and judge our own behaviours. Throw in social media and these experiences have potential to be publicly magnified. For many, this reality is a motivating force to make better lifestyle choices.
While this isn’t really a bad thing on paper, does that mean today’s youth is missing out on truly living?
No matter how embarrassing, iconic, trivial, or momentous their experiences, generations of the past experienced their teens and twenties in isolation. Losing touch with old friends would mean stupid decisions could fade into obscurity, written over by newer, more well-thought out ones as the years go by.
But today, every second of our lives has the potential to be recorded, relived, and posted online. The possibility of an unflattering or socially damaging video surfacing online has dialled down the appeal of out-of-control behaviour.
Documenting our lives through social media has also inadvertently granted these platforms the power to decide which kinds of lifestyles are most valuable. Digital algorithms, especially those on Instagram and TikTok, are notorious for rewarding only the most curated and polished depictions of life. Sloppy, alcohol-fuelled antics don’t fit this bill.
If idealised lifestyles receive the most attention online and yield the biggest rewards offline (think of the countless influencers who have monetised their everyday routines) it’s no surprise that young audiences consider ‘clean girl,’ ‘gym bro,’ and ‘sober curious’ paths as most aspirational.
But beyond social media, there’s another catalyst causing this shift: information. Smartphones and wearable tech have gifted young people access to an insane amount of knowledge about themselves, in particular when it comes to their health and well-being.
Biotech apps and devices, wellness creators, and fitness influencers have brought discussions about mental health, addiction, and physical well-being into centre stage. And while health warnings on cigarette packs might go overlooked, a viral TikTok about the long-term effects of smoking, drinking, or unhealthy eating is more than likely to make an impression.
For many, the dark side of consuming alcohol has surpassed any of its perceived social benefits. Data insights from wearable tech can reveal the negative health impact of even one or two drinks, including elevated heart rate and disrupted sleeping patterns, while long-term use results in two things Gen Z fears most: rapid ageing and deteriorated health. It shouldn’t be surprising then, that more and more young people are proudly labelling themselves ‘sober-curious’.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Gen Z doesn’t consider it ‘lame’ to prioritise personal health. Swapping cocktails for an adaptogen drink or gut-healthy beverage while socialising with friends is the new norm. Nights spent dancing at the bar are being replaced by kickbacks, where young people are free to pick their own music, watch YouTube videos, and tune into livestreams in their own personal spaces. For a generation that puts their personal tastes and well-being first, dingy pubs and tomorrow’s hangovers are only barriers to long-term progress.
Last but not least, we have to talk about sex. Once seen as the ultimate taboo topic, sex is no longer some mysterious, off-limits part of young life. Growing up overwhelmed by hypersexual media, dating apps, and rampant hookup culture, many young people have grown concerned about missing out on the chance to build real, meaningful connections.
Instead of rejecting intimacy altogether, young people are being intentional with who they connect with, striving for genuine relationships and romance. Open discussions about consent and personal boundaries have caused young people to rethink how sex fits into their lives and whether it’s truly something they want, rather than something that’s expected.
Is this really surprising for a generation that grew up witnessing the rise of twerking in tandem with the #MeToo era?
While a drop in smoking, drinking, and irresponsible casual sex don’t exactly spell out negative trends, the forces driving them should spark our attention – especially because Gen Z’s retreat from traditional vices doesn’t mean they’re vice-free.
Social media is extremely addictive too and, for many, hours scrolling TikTok has replaced time socialising in real life. The ultra-curated aspect of social media is known to foster a damaging perfectionism in young people. Evidence that social media is a source of anxiety, depression, negative body image and poor self-esteem in young people only continues to grow.
And while a rise in health consciousness is great, constantly tracking every element of our existence – from heart rates, daily step counts, and sleep quality – can create unhealthy fixations on our wellbeing. Towing the line between healthy and obsessive can be a difficult one.
Although Gen Z has the same desires to be as fun, free, and alive as the generations that came before them, challenging the status quo has resulted in them adopting many positive behaviours not typically associated with youth. It’s caused their elders to worry: are the kids truly living?
Following their true nature, the way Gen Z interprets this question and how they answer it will be vastly different. Of course it will. It’s not 2004 anymore.
See also:
Gen Z around the Web
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That’s all for this week! Make sure to subscribe for the latest on Gen Z and youth culture, and check out The Common Thred for a weekly roundup of the latest news, trends and thought pieces.
Peace out!! 🌟
incredibly read- great points but a bit sad in the end...growing up with mistakes feels natural and an experience- imagine growing up with no tales to tell your grandkids!