What is iGen or Gen Z?

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iGen, also known as Gen Z, refers to the generation born after 1995. This demographic exhibits distinct characteristics and challenges compared to previous generations:

  • Mental Health Crisis: This generation shows unprecedented levels of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicide. This trend started to be noticeable around 2011, sharply increasing, especially among girls. Unlike other mental health disorders, mood disorders in this generation have significantly risen 1.

  • Workplace Impact: Gen Z has started entering the workforce, and their influence is already noticeable. Organizations, particularly in sectors like journalism, the arts, media, and tech, are adapting to accommodate their views on speech and language. This includes heightened sensitivity to speech and a tendency to address grievances through formal channels rather than informal resolution, which can create challenges in workplace dynamics 2.

  • Responsibility in the Digital Age: Members of Gen Z, while aware of their mental health challenges, often struggle with the negative impacts of social media. There is an acknowledgment that platforms like Facebook and Instagram contribute to their mental health issues, yet managing screen time and fostering unsupervised, offline activities remain areas needing improvement 3.

    The Coddling Crisis

    Jonathan Haidt discusses the rise of mental health issues in iGen or Gen Z, specifically depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide. He explains that while generational differences in values and behavior are common, the sharp increase in mental health issues is unprecedented and requires further investigation.
    The Knowledge Project
    Jonathan Haidt | When Good Intentions Go Bad
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This generation's unique experiences and challenges highlight the need for tailored approaches in education, mental health, and workplace integration.

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