Generation Z, often referred to as Gen Z or Zoomers, consists of those born after 1997.It's widely known that these younger individuals grew up surrounded by technology, yet the manner in which they utilize devices such as flip phones and digital cameras may come as a surprise.This article provides an insight into how technology is used by Generation Z.
It is no secret that members of Generation Z have grown up surrounded by technology, yet how they utilize certain features and gadgets may be unfamiliar to some. Composed of individuals who were born after 1997 (according to the Pew Research Center), Gen Z has experienced the ascension of smartphones, social media, and - more recently - artificial intelligence. In spite of this, these youngsters have still shown an appreciation for older technologies such as digital cameras. This is evidenced through the hashtag #digitalcamera's 1 billion views on TikTok, generated by Gen Z's open desire to portray a more relaxed and sentimentally-tinged approach to photography. It is also noteworthy that this generation is highly knowledgeable on the 'unwritten etiquette' of emoji use, auto capitalization, etc. Listed below are some highlights of how the youngest members of the labor force leverage technology:
Many Zoomers dislike making phone calls, yet it can be simpler to demonstrate one's tone by using their voice as opposed to a text message. This is where voice memos come into play. Also referred to as voice notes or messages, they are a feature available on messaging applications like iMessage and WhatsApp that let people record a message in audio form. Not surprisingly, these have become a popular way to send notes without having to type out long messages, especially among Gen Z. WhatsApp reported last year that their users sent an average of 7 billion voice messages daily.
Zoomers love the voice memo feature because it is easy to send without the need for a two-way conversation. Whether you have a prolonged story to tell or would rather your tone not be misunderstood, voice memos offer a simple alternative to text.
If you considered yourself an emoji expert, you'd better think again. Emojis, the colorful characters that mobile phone users can include in text messages and posts to spice them up, were expected to total nearly 3,500 around the world, as per a Statista report. Gen Z has a deeper understanding of emojis and their meanings. Instead of the traditional laughing emoji to demonstrate happiness and amusement, they are more likely to use the loudly crying face emoji with thick tears, or the skull emoji when they find something humorous. When someone tells a joke, the phrase "I'm dead" is quite common among Gen Z, which explains why the skull emoji is so popular. Moreover, they use the clown face emoji to indicate when somebody is acting foolishly or the eyes emoji when they feel sly or cheeky. The upside-down face emoji usually means that something is not going as expected. Trends regarding emojis come and go among this age group, so it's quite probable that new tendencies will emerge.
Much of Gen Z has decided that capital letters are out, and lowercase are in. For years, Zoomers have avoided using capitals in texts, social media posts and other forms of digital communication, and many of them even deactivate the autocapitalization feature that is the default setting on smartphones. Discourse about Gen Z's lack of punctuation on X (formerly known as Twitter) has been ongoing for years, and is often filled with playful jokes about Zoomers' poor grammar and why they have "murdered" the capital letter. The reason isn't clear - there was never a secret meeting to conspire against conventional English punctuation, and there are still plenty of Zoomers who stick to the auto-capitalization feature. Some say they like the look of the lower-case letters and that it gives off a care-free aesthetic. Others have suggested that the lack of capital usage is Gen Z's way of making a statement against capitalism and the establishment. No matter the reasoning, the elimination of the capital letter is one of the most enduring trends of the generation.
If you're in a text group chat with people from Gen Z, it's likely they will assign it a name. The purpose of this could be practical, like for a high school or college project, or simply for fun. In services like Apple's iMessage, anyone in the chat can change the name to whatever they want, except for any unspoken rules and the fear that they'll be removed from the chat. Naming a group chat also makes it easier to find when searching for the conversation. To change the name in iMessage on a iPhone, tap the icons in the top center of the conversation, then press "Change Name and Photo." There, you can type in whatever name you like.
Gen Z is renowned for bringing back the early 2000s fashion trends, and when it comes to tech, digital cameras remain at the top. Statista report that more than 60% of Gen Z used or owned a digital camera in 2019, and that the growth of this market is poised to rise by around 2% each year until 2028. Zoomers love snapping photos with their friends and value a good Instagram aesthetic; digital cameras are an ideal choice for this purpose. Compared to smartphone cameras, digital cameras tend to have more space for sensors, which leads to higher quality images and sharper flashes. The delay in viewing the photos, which requires users to upload them to a desktop, also adds to the charm and adds to the sense of anticipation. Digital cameras are a great way to express creativity and give a more exciting feel to life with images resembling editorial shoots.
If you don't want to bother with uploading your photos to a computer, or paying for a digital camera, filter apps can offer a great alternative. Downloading them onto your phone allows you to alter settings like brightness, white balance or contrast. Gen Z, especially, favor popular apps like VSCO, as they have presets to add a filter right away. They are also used to make pictures sharper, brighter, or more colorful. Furthermore, Gen Z has recently revived apps which recreate the experience of working with a film camera. For instance, apps such as Dispo or Huji Cam, with their waiting periods before the photos are ready, or Dazz Cam with the ability to upload your own images and apply a filter. The popularity of these filter apps with Gen Z mostly comes down to nostalgia as well as the ability to be creative. Film cameras produce a unique look which sets images apart, but without the hassle of the actual film camera.
Gen Z has brought back the flip phone - that's right, the flip phone. This tech-savvy generation isn't giving up their smartphones, but some are getting a second one as a way to detach in social situations. A report from Common Sense Media reveals that teens can get hundreds to thousands of notifications a day, making it difficult to take a break. Low-cost options from places like Walmart and Amazon are being picked up; flip phones have less features and are less distracting than the usual apps, and they act as a great conversation starter. #Flipphone on TikTok has 830 million views, with users showing appreciation for the simple cameras, as well as the option to unplug without going entirely offline.
Gen Z tend to modify the original settings of their mobile phones, including switching to a dark mode. This entails replacing light backgrounds with dark or black ones, while users don't have to learn new controls. This trend has been prevalent in the section of the population since a long time, and on platform X, Zoomers talk about it being more comfortable for their eyes and prolonging battery life. According to Zippia, members of Gen Z spend an average of 7 hours and 18 minutes a day in front of a screen. If you wish to see the differences for yourself, it's straightforward to switch to dark mode on the iPhone. Open the Settings, select "Display & Brightness" and choose between the light and dark settings.
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