Generation Z What do you need to know?

You are probably wondering what are the characteristics of Generation Z, their interests, what occupies them and how to connect with your child if they are part of this generation born in the late 1990s - early 2000s.

Teenagers or young adults, facing their college graduation or first job, are just some of the age groups that make up the so-called Zillennials, this first 100% technological generation born in the boom of computers, internet, integration of social networks and digital trends.

As parents it is important to know their interests, concerns and challenges in order to provide them with the necessary tools for their full development, not to mention that it will provide us with mechanisms to protect them from threats such as cyberbullying, child pornography, blackmailing or similar.

The first thing we should know is that being a generation that comes with the 'technology chip' they tend to be more visual and immediatists than their predecessors, they deeply believe in the speed of the click and their way of learning is more oriented to solve problems and entrepreneurship than to have an academic preparation as strict as the one their parents or grandparents had. For them, boundaries are more blurred and their online and offline lives overlap.

They believe in interacting with their brands and idols through social networks. They tend to be freer spirits, although quite questioning of the status quo, most opt for some kind of activism or vindicative social movement, they tend to ask questions more oriented to philosophy, to investigate the why of things. They are much more concerned about the environment and the future.

They consider formal education to be overrated and prefer to go straight to the web, online courses and tutorials to learn and reinforce some soft activity.

Although they are quite curious, their way of seeing life makes them choose occupations or professions where they can not only generate money but also help the world. They seek a balance between professional and personal life, being less 'workaholic' than Millennials. A bit more philanthropic than other generations, however, the telecommuting boom has made them a bit more nomadic. Their opinions and perceptions of the world are shaped by what their friends and influencers recommend.

One of the great challenges as parents is to explain to them the dangers of the Internet, the anonymity of networks and online catfish, to warn them that not everything that is on the net is true and to establish enough trust in communication to be able to support and advise them in the best way.

They have grown up with fewer taboos, they are part of a generation that is more fluid and open to talk about sex and gender issues, although they are very active on the internet they also make use of 'private' accounts to document there that side they do not want parents to know. They are usually multi-device, being on at least five different devices and adapting the use they make of each one according to the information they want to handle.

For them, the key is information, to be told about reality and to be involved in decision making. If you have a child of this generation be patient and keep abreast of trends, ask them to explain things to you and make them feel heard. Respect their decisions and reach agreements between the rules at home -not for nothing are you the authority figure- and what they want for their lives, choices such as their wardrobe, whether they are vegetarian or not, are just some of the issues that can bring them closer instead of confronting them.

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