The generational wars wage ever on. “These darn kids are ruining everything!” shouts one side, while the other deridingly snarks, “Okay, Boomer.”
As much as the younger crowd likes to think they’re right about everything, including their own generation, some can admit they’re not. Their older and wiser parents and grandparents make some great points, especially when looking at youths’ behavior through the lens of experience.
Common Complaints about Gen Z
While scrolling through a popular internet forum, I stumbled upon threads asking every generation, from Gen Z themselves to the Baby Boomers, to share complaints and flaws about Generation Z.
The younger generation agrees with their elders on some of the points, but not on all of them.
Discover the common complaints about Gen Z – which ones do you agree with?
They Don’t Understand Technology
Usually, it’s the Boomer generation that gets hammered for misusing technology, but Gen Z has issues with it as well. Some users claimed that although Gen Z can use technology, they don’t understand how it works.
Earlier generations benefited from testing the earliest websites and applications. Millennials and Gen X had to problem-solve when computers were acting up, giving them greater insight into how things work.
Gen Z never had to deal with that struggle, so although they are fully capable of using technology, they don’t always know how and why things work.
Gen Z Can’t Take Criticism
There’s a difference between constructive criticism and bullying, but many Gen Zers don’t seem to know it. One user said that younger people at their workplace confuse feedback with bullying, and older workers need to approach them more softly.
Of course, this user admitted that their experience was strictly anecdotal, but they received over 1000 upvotes.
Horrible Communicators
Gen Z hates phone calls and punctuation. To be fair, Millennials made hating phone calls cool, but Gen Z perfected it.
One user said that as a millennial, they might hate making phone calls, but at least they do it when they have to for work.
Gen Z avoids it at all costs, but can you blame them? I’d rather you just send an email.
Judgmental
One user pointed out that Gen Z has a “knack for zeroing in on the most seemingly inane things and turning it into a reason that they’re ‘better than you.’”
Another user said they constantly see this trend play out on TikTok but hope Gen Z grows out of it.
Most of us had a holier-than-thou attitude when we thought we knew how the world worked.
Their Love of “Pranks”
“It’s just a prank, bro.”
No, it is cruel and borderline harassment, especially when you’re doing it to a service worker who can’t get away.
Harassing service workers isn’t funny. Pranks are only fun when everyone is having fun, and all too many of Geb Z’s “pranks” are just plain mean.
Unaware of Social Media’s Dangers
One Redditor lamented that they wished Gen Z would realize how destructive social media is. The generation that grew up with Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter doesn’t seem to understand how much damage these platforms can cause.
Social media constantly showcases highlight reels and fake ideals. It’s a breeding ground for narcissism and extremism.
Those who understand can separate the good from the bad, but Gen Z is young, and some of them internalize everything they see.
Other users pointed out that the problem isn’t limited to Gen Z. The Boomer generation taught their children not to believe what they see online, but they can’t seem to tell the difference between AI propaganda and real news.
Hindered People Skills
Gen Z relies on technology, but as one Redditor pointed out, that’s not always a good thing. Their over-reliance on email, text, and social media severely stunted their ability to interact with real people.
Other users blamed the pandemic, saying that much of Gen Z was forced inside and online during their prime development years.
The poor kids never had a chance to develop crucial social skills.
They Disregard Internet Permanency
Things you post on the internet will stay there forever. Gen Z either doesn’t know or doesn’t care.
It’s hard to say they don’t know. This generation grew up with the internet. They should be completely aware of how it works. They don’t seem to care, though, as they happily post embarrassing photos and videos of themselves without a care in the world.
All the Labels
A Millennial Redditor complained that Gen Z is undoing all Millennials’ hard work in dismantling labels. The Millennial generation strived to make everyone equal and label-free, while the Gen Z crowd loves to create unique labels for everything.
The commenter pointed out that both generations did what they did for the same reason: To create a society where everyone is valued for who they are. Though the methods differ, we can be pleased to know we all want the same thing.
Obsession with Internet Fame
Gen Z grew up with YouTube celebrities and TikTok stars. Although advances in the internet make it easier for anyone to make money online, Gen Z seems obsessed with it.
I get it. We’d all love for that one TikTok to go viral so we could quit our jobs and never work again.
But according to Reddit, Gen Z takes the obsession to a whole new level. They spend hours on social media perfecting their videos, disrupting public events and places for the perfect shot, and complain when they don’t see the “likes” pile in.
Inability to Keep Personal Things Personal
Kids these days use social media as an online journal to share everything in their lives, from their daily meals to their relationship drama. One user agreed with their elders that they should be slightly more cautious about what they post online.
Others pointed out that their boomer parents seem to be the worst culprits in sharing personal information online, especially as it pertains to grandkids. We get it; you love your grandkids and are proud of them, but let them have some online privacy.
Refusal to Learn an In-Demand Skill
When younger generations complain about pay and lack of good jobs, Boomers generally retort that they should learn an in-demand skill. They’re not entirely wrong, but some Gen Z blatantly refuse.
Improving your skills can help you land a better job, but lots of Gen Z are convinced they’ll be the next internet star or entrepreneur.
Boomers are wrong too, though, because there’s a lot of nuance to the discussion that boomers generally don’t admit.
Obtaining in-demand skills is prohibitively expensive in many cases, and society changes so quickly that it’s impossible to tell what will be in demand 5-10 years from now (see coders for a Millennial case-study)
Victim-Mentality
The younger generation’s obsession with victimhood limits their growth. Yep, one Redditor agreed with boomers on this highly divisive point and even received a handful of upvotes.
It does seem like some younger folks are looking for something to be victimized about, and that only takes away from people who truly experienced trauma and deserve our support.
But it’s also true that younger people have a lot to be upset about in a society that doesn’t support them.
Too Sensitive
Another user commented that younger generations are too sensitive. Boomers constantly call Gen Z and Millennials snowflakes for getting their feelings hurt over “minor” things, and sometimes they’re right.
However, again, there’s a lot of nuance. Boomers are just as sensitive, even though they have different pain points. In addition, it’s not “sensitive” to point out microaggressions and societal norms that actually harm groups of people.
Someday, we will find the right balance.
Dating App Culture is Dangerous
Boomer parents warned their children about meeting strangers from the internet. Now, we happily meet up for dates with people we just met through a screen.
“These casual encounters can be extremely dangerous and perpetuate informal sh**ty one-night stand relationships and low self-esteem,” said one user.
Dating apps also make relationships more transactional and based on physical appearance than on real connections.
Refusal to Put the Phones Down
Millennials and Gen Z are obsessed with their phones. Those little dopamine hits from notifications are exhilarating, but a massive distraction.
One user admitted Boomers are right about this, but added that the problem isn’t limited to younger folks.
“Virtually every generation currently alive is guilty of this, but it’s true. The big tech companies have done a very good job getting people addicted to their phones, and it’s so normalized that no one sees it as a problem,” they stated.
Not Ready for the Real World
Many younger Millennials and Gen Zers have been coddled their entire lives and aren’t ready to take adult responsibility.
“The newer generations are a lot less ready to take care of themselves in the world than older generations were after they graduated high school,” said one user.
They explained that kids never had to figure things out on their own, and thus lack confidence in their own capabilities.
Others pointed out that it wasn’t the kid’s fault. Some said their parents failed them by handing everything to them on a platter and never allowing them to experience failure or disappointment. In contrast, others pointed out that with the rise in globalization, standards have changed, and kids need to fill every ounce of free time with developmental opportunities in order to compete.
The Kids are Alright
One self-proclaimed boomer joined the thread to point out that there’s nothing wrong with younger generations.
“I think the young generation is just fine,” they shared. “There’s nothing particular wrong with them at all, just like there’s nothing particular wrong with any other generation. The truth is, we’re all just people. At different stages in our lives.”
They’re right. Every generation complains about “kids these days.” Many of these complaints about Gen Z are just rehashed complaints about Millennials.
We all eventually find our way.
What Complaints about Gen Z Do You Agree With?
Do you think any of the complaints about Gen Z are justified, or do you agree with the final commenter that the kids are fine?
Share your thoughts (and your generation!) in the comments!