Gen Z - Children of Digital Revolution Transforming Social Landscape Dr

Home , Generation Z

American International Journal of Available online at http://www.iasir.net Research in Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences ISSN (Print): 2328-3734, ISSN (Online): 2328-3696, ISSN (CD-ROM): 2328-3688

AIJRHASS is a refereed, indexed, peer-reviewed, multidisciplinary and open access journal published by International Association of Scientific Innovation and Research (IASIR), USA (An Association Unifying the Sciences, Engineering, and Applied Research)

Gen Z - Children of Digital Revolution Transforming Social Landscape Dr. Kumari Gargi1 ,Ms Maitri2 1Lecturer (H.Science) B.N.S.S.N Inter College Chandrahatti,Kamtaul Muzaffarpur, Bihar, INDIA. 2Assistant Professor, Management Education and Research Institute, GGSIPU College, 53-54 Institutional Area D-Block Janakpuri, New Delhi, INDIA. Abstract: Generation Z belongs to the global, visual, social and technological era who are inquisitive pragmatic and globally aware.They comprise nearly 2 billion people globally. Gen Z are considered to be born from now to early 1990s, this is the generation that will never know what it was like to be without an internet connection or a cell phone. They are born under the period of recession, terrorism and climate change so they are predicted to spend their time in economic and social renewal. Considered as the children of Generation X and Generation Y. They are tech savvy individuals of high-tech communication and technology driven era. It’s a challenge to nurture their talent, to engage and enrich them so that they will remain happy and productive .Parents, teachers, marketers need to understand the attribute of this generation to cater their needs and wants for their full realization of potential.This article is a conceptual study which attempts to understand the characteristics ,preferences and learning pattern of Gen Z.This knowledge is required to facilitate parents for better conditioning, teachers to equip them with right teaching methodology and tools. Further it can influence marketers to design products and strategy accordingly. It’s an experience based article literature study has also been done to substantiate the content.

I. INTRODUCTION Generation Z refers to the cohort of people born after the Millennial Generation. There is no agreement on the name or exact range of birth dates. Some sources start this generation at the mid or late 1990s or from the mid 2000s to the present day. It is probably the kids growing up now, with a range of digital possibilities which were unimaginable a decade ago that have become possible. Lot of debate about Generation Y (ages 18-34) across the economic landscape. We must look ahead and should focus more on Gen Y’s younger counterparts, Generation Z, those currently age 17 and under. Gen Z is smaller in numbers, but there is evidence to suggest that their influence, fueled by an innate and constant connection to the world around them, will outstrip their size.

II. LITERATURE REVIEW In 2012, USA Today sponsored an online contest for readers to choose the name of the next generation after the Millennials. In the article, journalist Bruce Horovitz wrote that some might call the term "Generation Z" rather "off-putting" and a name that is "still in-the-running".Some alternate names were proposed including: ingeneration, Gen Tech,Gen Wii, Net Gen, Digital Natives, Gen Next, Post Gen, and Plurals. In 2013, Jeanine Poggi reported in Ad Age that Nickelodeon channel is looking to serve a new breed of kids born after 2005 whom it dubs "post-millennials” In 2014, Pew Research Center sponsored a contest to name the next generation after the Millennials. Names proposed include: the TwoKays or 2K's (born after 2000), the Conflict Generation (the generation that grew up during the time of the Iraq War and War in Afghanistan), Generation i (or iGeners and iGens), @generation, the Swipe Generation, the Tweennials, and Screeners. iGeneration (also abbreviated as iGen) is a name that several individuals claim to have coined. Psychology professor and author Jean Twenge claims that the name iGen "just popped into her head" while she was driving near Silicon Valley, and that she had intended to use it as the title of her 2006 book Generation Me but was overridden by her publisher. Demographer Cheryl Russell claims to have first used the term in 2009. Matt Carmichael, a past director of data strategy at Ad Age, said in 2012 "we think iGen is the name that best fits and will best lead to understanding of this generation".In 2014, an NPR news intern noted that iGeneration "seems to be winning" as the name for the post-Millennials.It has been described as "a wink and nod to Apple's iPod andiPhone",while former Ad Age writer Matt Carmichael notes that the lowercase "i" in iGeneration "leaves room for interpretation" and "could be any number of things: It could be for interactive, it could be for international, it could be for something we haven't thought of yet." The Pluralist Generation (also abbreviated as Plurals) is a name coined by marketing firm Frank N. Magid Associates. According to Magid, the name "Plurals" reflects that they are the most diverse of any generation in the U.S.; Magid estimates that 55% are Caucasian, 24% are Hispanic, 14% are African-American, 4% are

Asian, and 4% are mixed race or other. A Magid whitepaper stated that Plurals exhibit positive feelings about the increasing ethnic diversity in the U.S.,and they are more likely than older generations to have social circles that include people from different ethnic groups, races and religions. According to Magid, Plurals are "the least likely to believe that there is such a thing as the American Dream," while Boomers and their Millennial children are "more likely to believe it". Gen Z fill the classrooms of the K-12 educators. An exact starting point and stopping point are always unclear in generational labels, but this group has the distinction of living in a world that has always had the internet. Note that the Gen Zs do have an end date, somewhere around 2010. The next group may be the Generation Alpha.

III. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY This is a conceptual study. Facts have been derived from secondary as well as primary sources. Interaction, focus group discussions have been conducted among parents to understand and address parenting issues. Similarly teachers from reputed schools have been approached to understand their say on this topic. Statements have been structured which have been further validated from existing literature. IV. FINDINGS Facts about Gen Z based on the Focus Group Discussions: Generation Z characteristics which are influencing parenting and teaching style. Few inferences can be drawn about the characteristics of Generation Z only time will tell the changing attributes of this Young Dynamic Versatile Multi Tasker Generation. They are creative and innovative bubbling with energy and spirit. Exposure of Electronic media has made them more competent can say ahead of time . They love to experiment and explore can even take risks. They are tech savvy and connected globally to the world of gamifciation & knowledge. Gen Zs are always connected in a seamless cloud-based world of friends, data, and entertainment. Social Media Social media and instant contact is very important to them. Social media has connected them globally can’t wait for mail response want instant connect .They love to “crowd source” for solutions on social media. Their IQ scores reflects that they are bright and their intelligence is required to be channelized. Their nature and approach is flexible and expect same from others. They are open for interaction with diverse population; respectable towards others too. More autonomy less monitoring makes them work they want nurturing parents and managers Being idealistic is not in their scheme. Gen Z are Gadgets and Tools Friendly .Gen Z has become a generation of content creators and producers with today’s web apps and digital tools. Gen Zs prefer interactive media that they can interact with as opposed to passive TV or print texts. They want multi-functional gadgets .They prefer websites, apps, and social media outlets that let multiple features like posting pictures, videos, text, comments, rate things, etc. The Generation Z Learner Gen Z is from the digital generation.These “digital citizens” and are not aware of online hazards, managing personal information online, guarding intellectual property etc.They are required to be taught the Ethical and Security aspects of Cyber Behavior. Their brains are programmed for the processing of content, data, and images from computers, videogames, and the Internet which is also required to be diverted towards basic teaching and learning. They find innovative methods of teaching interesting. Educators are increasingly bringing game design and game theory into education with continuous grading, continuous feedback, clear goals, rewards, challenges, etc. which is being liked by them. Gen Zs are driven by graphics in learning they are good at comprehending complex graphics .It can be utilized for imparting them difficult concepts. They dislike lecture-test classroom not very much focused towards fundamental learning. They want infotainment , customized education packed with entertainment. Gen Zs are versatile and constant multi-taskers. It’s a challenge to develop their concentration for a single task for long. Researchers say Gen Zs are smart kids and will be smart adults who can deal with a lot of data and make decisions. Access to so much data makes Gen Z go for the quick answer rather than longer problem solving. Gen Zs often do not take the time to determine the reliability of information. They must be taught to discover, curate, and manage information. This will be essential in the “idea economy” of the knowledge era. Fluid Intelligence (problem solving) on IQ scores has been on the rise since the 90s. Game designers like to take credit because their multi-player, problem-based games went viral at the same time. Critical out of the box thinking needs to be developed.

Gen Zs become incredibly more knowledgeable about their passions .Gen Z students need to be challenged with project-based, active collaborative learning to cater future demand.

V. RECOMMENDATIONS Issues requires to be regulated for Gen Z Gen Zs need niche skills, but one-size-fits-all education is slow to catch up. Curriculum framework too much focuses on extracurricular activities and communication skills may hampers their fundamental studies. Right mix of pattern is required for their development. The cost of higher quality education is becoming prohibitive. It requires to be regulated. Gen Zs are described technology dependent and sometime addicted too which is required to be taken care of by constructive diversion. Gen Zs are surrounded with insecurities. Recession, war, energy crisis, and climate change have developed uncertainties among this group. Frontiers are like Cyber crimes, bullying, identity theft, intellectual property requires to be monitored to save them from danger. Gen Zs face health problems associated with sedentary lifestyles and fast food .Regular reinforcement on healthy habits is needed to be practiced as well as preached. Gen Z’s’ lacks interpersonal skills that are driven by advanced technologies. Social interactions are required to moderate their behavior. Big Class divide creates complex in growing children. Sound mental framework is required to tackle this among peer group .Consultation from parents play a vital role.

VI. CONCLUSION Gen Z are the tweens, the teens the youth and young adults of our global society who are the most connected generation ever. They are media driven, brand influencer, the pop culture leaders. They’re already offering suggestions, solving problems, and demonstrating how prepared they are for stressful and uncertain times. Gen Ys are optimistic whereas Gen Zs are realistic. Gen Z is leading the family and changing the market portal. To understand them and prepare themselves accordingly is the real challenge. Psychological, technological,social and economic aspects can be studied to make this paper more relevant.It can be explored in a multidimensional way as Gen Z is going to hit the market, decide the future of the products. Gen Z can prove to be a business driver, product designer, market motivator’s .Its high time to be Gen Z Centric for sustainability and growth.

Bibliography Jeanine Poggi (26 February 2013). "Nickelodeon Targets 'Post-Millennials' in Upfront". Advertising Age. Retrieved 21 April 2013. Howe, Neil; Strauss, William (2008). Millennials & K-12 Schools. LifeCourse Associates. pp. 109–111. ISBN 0971260656. Howe, Neil (October 27, 2014). "Introducing the Homeland Generation (Part 1 of 2)". Forbes. Retrieved 12 March 2015. Junco, Reynol; Mastrodicasa, Jeanna (2007). Connecting to the Net.Generation: What higher education professionals need to know about today’s students. NASPA.ISBN 9780931654480. Samantha Raphelson (6 October 2014). "From GIs To Gen Z (Or Is It iGen?): How Generations Get Nicknames". NPR. Retrieved 7 October 2014. Frank N. Magid Associates. "The First Generation of the Twenty First Century." April 30, 2012 The NMC Horizon Report: K-12 Edition Getting Smart: How Digital Learning Is Changing the World by Tom Vander Ark Gen Z: Digital in Their DNA from JWT Intelligence Seven Skills Needed for the Future featuring Dr. Tony Wagner Gen Z & What It Means in Your Classroom by Sarah Fudin Gen Z: The Age of the Curator featuring Katherine Savitt Z Future Is Here! by Adam Renfro The Children of Cyberspace: Old Fogies by Their 20s by Brad Stone Generation Z: The Biggest Cheaters Since Homer by Adam Renfro Internet 2011 in Numbers by Pingdom