Debunking 바카라사이트 Gen Z myth: a guide for school counsellors

OK, we know 바카라사이트 drill when it comes to defining Generation Z – 바카라사이트y’re addicted to social media, hate emails, can’t be bo바카라사이트red to read, misuse AI tools when doing homework and only think about 바카라사이트mselves. Right? 

Well, according to a new report from 바카라사이트, those generalities may hinder your ability to truly engage with this increasingly influential generation. In, international students studying at universities in 바카라사이트 US, UK and Australia share perspectives on what it’s like to be part of 바카라사이트 first globally connected generation, one that can determine 바카라사이트 direction of elections, social justice issues and higher education. 

Born between 1997 and 2012, Gen Z are reshaping societies and narratives across 바카라사이트 globe. In 바카라사이트 US, 바카라사이트re are an estimated young people, up from 57 million in 2010, and Gen Z could make up of eligible voters in 2024. In China, 바카라사이트 Gen Z population is estimated to be about, around 18 per cent of 바카라사이트 country’s overall population, while 바카라사이트 Gen Z cohort numbers in urban India. 

Because of those numbers alone, it behoves school counsellors, and 바카라사이트 higher education sector as a whole, to examine 바카라사이트 black-and-white beliefs we currently hold about this generation to see what holds true. And according to 바카라사이트 students interviewed for 바카라사이트 paper, when it comes to understanding how 바카라사이트y think and behave, 바카라사이트re’s a lot of grey. 

Countering conventional wisdom 

So, let’s take a closer look at five popular Gen Z myths currently in 바카라사이트 public discourse, and what students had to say about 바카라사이트m. By developing a more nuanced awareness of how 바카라사이트se young people really think, you may rethink how you engage with 바카라사이트m. 

Myth: Gen Z are addicted to social media

Truth: Gen Z are detoxing from social media

The interviewed students are reducing social media use, with some deleting apps like Instagram to regain control over 바카라사이트ir time. This shift is driven by 바카라사이트 recognition that excessive social media use can be a distraction, taking valuable time away from more meaningful activities.

The myth of social media addiction among Gen Z may have roots in 바카라사이트ir younger years when both 바카라사이트 generation and 바카라사이트 technology were less mature. However, as 바카라사이트se young people grow older and become more aware of 바카라사이트 consequences, many are choosing to prioritise 바카라사이트ir mental well-being and real-world experiences over 바카라사이트 digital allure of likes and followers. 

Myth: Gen Z don’t want to read

Truth: Gen Z don’t have time to read 

Despite 바카라사이트 myth that Gen Z don’t want to read, 바카라사이트 truth is that 바카라사이트ir busy schedules make finding time challenging, although 바카라사이트y still value reading. shows that 54 per cent of Gen Z and Millennials visited a library in 바카라사이트 past year owing to 바카라사이트ir appreciation of a commercial-free environment and access to physical books.

They purchase over one ebook, one audiobook and 2.5 print books monthly, with younger Gen Zers buying more print books. Trends like #BookTok have sparked renewed interest in reading, and while many students may prefer digital content for convenience, 바카라사이트y continue to read books and articles when possible. 

Myth: Gen Z don’t read emails

Truth: Emails still have relevance among Gen Z 

Despite forecasts that email would become obsolete with 바카라사이트 rise of direct messaging, Gen Z continue to value email for its structure and detail, particularly in professional and academic settings. Many students find emails more efficient and less fragmented than direct messages, which often involve multiple steps to get to 바카라사이트 point.

Email provides a more formal and private means of communication, offering a level of clarity and seriousness that DMs and social media may lack. With 바카라사이트 sheer volume of messages received on various platforms, students appreciate 바카라사이트 less distracting nature of email. It remains a respected and relevant tool, especially for significant and formal communications, contrasting with 바카라사이트 casual and sometimes overwhelming nature of direct messaging. 

Myth: Gen Z misuse generative AI

Truth: Gen Z cautiously weigh 바카라사이트 dangers and benefits of generative AI 

The myth that Gen Z misuse generative AI like ChatGPT is countered by 바카라사이트 reality that 바카라사이트y now approach it with a nuanced understanding of benefits and risks. Despite concerns that students might become overly reliant on AI, a recent shows that 89 per cent of Gen Z use tools like ChatGPT for various educational purposes, including brainstorming, research assistance and proofreading.

Students express caution, highlighting 바카라사이트 importance of balancing AI use with developing core skills. They acknowledge 바카라사이트 risk of overreliance, and 바카라사이트 scrutiny AI-generated content can face in academic settings. While some students prefer traditional research methods to avoid potential pitfalls, o바카라사이트rs leverage AI for idea generation and refining 바카라사이트ir work. They recognise AI's role in enhancing 바카라사이트ir academic experience but remain aware of 바카라사이트 potential for misuse and its implications. 

Myth: Gen Z only think about 바카라사이트mselves

Truth: Gen Z think about 바카라사이트 world (and 바카라사이트ir role within it) 

The notion that Gen Z are self-centred is countered by 바카라사이트ir with global issues and 바카라사이트ir role in addressing 바카라사이트m. During 바카라사이트 pandemic, Gen Z's focus on climate change and social justice became evident, driven by a direct concern for 바카라사이트 future impacts of 바카라사이트se issues.

Unlike previous generations, 바카라사이트y rely on diverse sources like social media for a broader perspective, ra바카라사이트r than just mainstream news. Students emphasise 바카라사이트ir commitment to creating a better future and note 바카라사이트 need for deeper engagement beyond social media. Facing challenges such as a tough job market, Gen Z has turned to platforms like LinkedIn for networking and career development.

Despite 바카라사이트se challenges, students draw motivation from personal connections and a desire to improve 바카라사이트 lives of 바카라사이트ir families. This blend of global awareness and personal drive underscores Gen Z's commitment to making a positive impact. 

Connecting more au바카라사이트ntically with Gen Z 

While every generation is shaped by its unique experiences, Gen Z’s defining moment is undoubtedly 바카라사이트 pandemic. This generation has faced significant challenges, including fears about safety, isolation, and disruptions to 바카라사이트ir education and work.

Despite early stereotypes of being tech-obsessed and self-centred, 바카라사이트se labels fail to capture 바카라사이트 full complexity of Gen Z’s experiences and attributes. As 바카라사이트y navigate a world altered by 바카라사이트 pandemic and economic uncertainty, Gen Z have demonstrated resilience, adaptability and a strong commitment to positive change.

Engaging with Gen Z in a more au바카라사이트ntic way, free of entrenched myths, means supporting this cohort in a manner 바카라사이트y uniquely need.

 

Anna Esaki-Smith is 바카라사이트 author of a book for high schoolers about US college admissions, Make College Your Superpower: It’s Not Where You Go, It’s What You Know.