Recently, everyone has been talking about "Generation Z." So, who are these members of Generation Z? What do they eat, what do they drink, where do they hang out, and most importantly, what do they want and expect from us? Are these young people, the guarantee of our future, really unhappy and lonely?
We discussed all these questions and more with our esteemed professor, Prof. Dr. Nevzat TARHAN.
With the rapid development of technology, we are experiencing changes in every field, from health to education. Of course, learning models are also evolving and changing. In this context, differences between generations can also be observed. Generation Z, born into technology, must be taught how to use technology correctly. If they do not use technology correctly, loneliness and technology addiction can emerge.
In this age of speed and pleasure brought by digitalization, the importance of active learning is increasing. In the past, there was passive learning. This is the classical learning model. The teacher would lecture, the student would listen, and it would end. Now there is active learning. The student learns by trying and experiencing things themselves. Children and young people currently don't learn everything in the classroom. This type of learning is an advantage brought to us by neuroscience. Information written in sand vanishes, but information carved in stone remains. Information gained through sight and hearing is easily forgotten. But learning that involves all five senses is not easily forgotten.
In education, individuality used to be prioritized, but now team success and harmonious collaboration are more important than the individual. The skill of the 21st century is collaboration... The capitalist system has imposed on us that being self-interested is more profitable. But now, being virtuous is more important. A virtuous person wins in the medium and long term. In current relationships, being trust-oriented is important.
The correct use of technology needs to be taught
Currently, accessing information is easy, but accessing correct information is difficult. The teacher also has a great responsibility here. We need to use technology in line with our interests. We need to be the subject of technology, not its object. For example, there's the open classroom application. The child stretches their legs in the classroom, enters and leaves whenever they want, and no one interferes; they call it freedom. This has gone a bit too far. Everyone needs to learn life's standards and rules. The teacher's behavior towards children is also important. The teacher will walk alongside the child without losing their role as a teacher. Education based on love, not fear, needs to be implemented. Teachers also need to adopt a horizontal education approach. Students also need to experience some difficulties and stress. Beautiful things are not learned without enduring hardship.
Professor, who exactly is this Generation Z, and how can we reach them, how can we communicate with them?
Generation Z is the social media generation. Described as the generation born after 2000, I can say that Generation Z is facing the danger of loneliness and technology addiction. Previously, generational differences arose between grandfather, father, and grandchild; now they even occur between the first and second child. This period is currently limited. There is now a digital generation. These individuals are born into the digital world. They can also be called the social media generation. They interact with it in most areas of life. If they do not use technology correctly, technology addiction emerges. According to research conducted in the UK, most young people are lonely. They experience digital loneliness. These young people are fond of freedom and justice. If we cannot speak the same language as young people, we cannot get along with them. We must answer their questions, and we must do this with new methods. Instead of confronting them, we should bring them alongside us and communicate that way. Educators also need to adapt to this. If they do not adapt, young people become resentful and start taking someone else as a role model.
So, what is the difference between Generation Z and our generation?
The most important difference of Generation Z from other generations is their direct contact with technology. They are much more intertwined with technology. On the other hand, they are a more self-confident, conformist generation. Additionally, individualism, individualization, and ease are prominent in this generation. The difference of this generation from others is as follows: other generations achieved psychological maturity in life by overcoming difficulties. Members of Generation Z, born into more abundant opportunities, achieved many things easily in life. Therefore, they need to mature amidst prosperity. It was easier for others to mature amidst scarcity. The pandemic affected them greatly. Seeing that they lacked physical comfort, that social mobility decreased, and that their old freedoms were gone, affected them globally. For this reason, Generation Z young people will either progress or not progress in terms of maturing in life in a different way. There is a lot of international research on this generation. This generation says:
"Why should I marry and sacrifice my autonomy? Why should I go into debt for years and pay off loans for ten years?" They have many conformist and self-centered characteristics. But interestingly, this generation is very likable. They are open to learning and novelty because they were not raised without love. They cannot control their impulses, meaning they do not act by thinking of the consequences.
Acting with consequences in mind is a mental skill. This skill needs to be taught. These generations learn it late. For this reason, there are many cases of delayed adolescence in this generation. Adolescence never seems to end.
Because of these characteristics, they haven't been forced to strain their minds much, so their multi-attention skills are more developed. They are engaged in several tasks simultaneously but cannot persevere in one task for a long time and don't particularly like working. They want to exist in life through easy means.
This is a generation more inclined to think short-term. They don't think long-term or medium-term, but about instant pleasures. They accept popular culture without questioning it. For this reason, this generation has become the target of cultural imperialism in popular culture. They are impatient and very hasty. And they are more successful at expressing themselves. Their financial literacy is low. When spending money, people want to buy everything. But is this my desire or my need? They cannot balance desires and needs. What is acceptable in economics is spending resources purposefully. We are facing a generation that does not think about the purpose when it comes to money, only about instant pleasure. They are very rough in conforming to social norms. They can easily abandon social norms by saying, "it restricts my freedom."
The capitalist system has this thesis: it creates an "you work, I eat" perception in people. We see this perception very much in this generation. If we do not teach this generation good and beautiful things, we cannot teach them psychological maturity. Generation Z needs scientific wisdom education more than any other generation. If we cannot teach them this, they will be a consuming generation, not a producing one, in the future. Another characteristic is that their internal control feelings are low; external control is needed. Internal control feelings: development of internal discipline, self-management, self-awareness. They cannot do this. They stop when externally restrained. Internal discipline is wisdom education. Life does not teach this to generations automatically. It needs to be taught scientifically. We need to add new modules to the education system. We can overcome this with these.
Decision-makers regarding the future of people and the world are in this generation...
Previously, economic mobility, social mobility, and the pace of change in the world were low. The half-life of information used to be thirty years; now it has fallen to three to five years. In a period where information changes so rapidly, and social, economic change, and information flow are so intense, and changes in these generations are also rapid, social scientists need approaches that will perceive the needs of young people, influence and manage their emotions, and prevent them from making mistakes, in an age where information is the most valuable and important communication tool. For this reason, a separate project needs to be carried out for Generation Z, and scientific studies need to focus on this generation. Decision-makers regarding the future of people and the world will be these generations.
They want freedom, liberty, and justice...
We need to analyze this age group well. Think about the slogans of the French Revolution and the late Ottoman Empire: Liberty, equality, justice, and brotherhood. Look at young people now; they want more liberty, more freedom. They want more justice, more equality of opportunity, and more brotherhood, peace. If the psychological needs of young people cannot be met, we cannot speak the same language as them. The formula for collaboration with Generation Z lies in speaking the same language. Abdülhamit was a great sultan who did great things. But with the Tripolitanian Wars in 1911, the Ottoman Empire fought for 11 years and lost most of these young people who were growing up.
However, the remaining ones were the young people who overthrew Abdülhamit because they did not speak the same language as him. Abdülhamit's method was this: since there were many enemies at that time, he wanted to create a society of trust. A security society means an intelligence society... Society was governed by fear until the Second Constitutional Era.
What is the effect of social media tools on young people?
Social media pushes the new generation into loneliness.
BBC and the University of Manchester conducted a loneliness study in 2018. In this study, conducted on fifty thousand people, contrary to expectations, while the rate of those over 75 who said "I am very lonely" was 27%, it was 40% among those aged 16-24. This means that the new generation chooses loneliness. That's why suicide rates, etc., are increasing. Social media plays a serious role here. I define Generation X as the radio generation. This Radio Generation represents those sixty years and older. The second generation is the television generation, representing those aged 30-60. But Generation Z is the generation aged 6-30. This generation is the social media generation. Some values in these generations have changed. For example, their contact with technology is three times higher; the feeling of organizational loyalty is three times lower compared to Generation Z; Generation Z is a self-confident, comfort-seeking generation. Individualism and ease are higher, obedience to authority is lower. The sense of morality is lower. Additionally, Generation Z has lower impulse control compared to other generations. They make sudden decisions, which is why children are mistakenly diagnosed with hyperactivity. Then, social media use is three times higher. Multi-attention ability is higher compared to other generations, which is a positive trait. Liking to work, social norms, and friendship bonds are low in this generation. This generation has a higher susceptibility to the influence of popular culture. Family values are lower. Impatience and haste are higher. Individualism is higher. Self-expression and consumerism are high. Conformity to social norms is low. Their IQs are high, but their emotional learning is low. The emotional intelligence of these young people is low. Their social and internal responsibility feelings are low.
Most people have given up hope on young people; is the situation that dire?
No one should despair when thinking about Generation Z. This generation is a free generation, and with the impact of digitalization, they can easily access everything. Therefore, they encounter every danger. They are an individualistic generation, but unlike our generations, they glorify innocence, not evil. Our generations were raised paranoid. There was an understanding of "the world is not safe, be careful, trust no one." But this generation grows up more self-confident, a generation that can take more risks. This generation has high entrepreneurial and innovative characteristics. I believe if we can speak the same language as this generation, beautiful things will emerge. A young generation that has caught up with the world and the era is coming. Civilization has affected us. Without our prefrontal cortex, there would be no morality, no civilization, no family. It is the prefrontal cortex that makes a human being human. A human child is born psychologically premature into the world. However, an animal child is born having learned the world, while a human child is born to learn.
So, professor, is it possible to protect today's children from screen and social media addiction?
Digital or substance addiction does not emerge in a warm family environment.
There are certain attitudes in raising children in the digital age. When we implement these behaviors, children become skilled in social media and computers, and at the same time, they become digitally literate. In this way, we can enable children to become good people. They can achieve academic, professional, and social success simultaneously. In our family assessment scales, we researched the dimension of protectiveness and interventionism. Parental roles, democratic functioning, definition of equality, authoritarianism, disciplinary attitude, marital discord, problem-solving skills, and direct effective communication between parents are very important parameters. Problem-solving skills, direct effective communication, fulfilling one's own duties, role confusion, ability to express emotions, and mutual care are also important dimensions in attitude patterns. Therefore, an individual managing themselves in a family is the same as a boss managing a business. Family culture encompasses family values, life scenarios experienced, interpretations, assumptions, symbols, ethical standards, stories, narratives, belief systems, and role models. The family is a living concept; it has a personality. In the relationship between the child and the digital world, if the family environment is warm, loving, and one where time is spent together, that child, also having positive activity, does not become digitally or substance addicted. Even if they get caught up in the falseness of the world, they recover and return after a while; we can say that with ease.
What does Generation Z expect from working life?
I would also like to share some insights regarding Generation Z in working life. Within the scope of the Z Plan Project, the Bursa Organized Industrial Zone Industrialists and Business People Association (BOSIAD) conducted a study in 2021 to understand Generation Z and establish a connection with the business world. We obtained striking results from this research, conducted with 330 blue-collar and white-collar Generation Z employees aged 18-25, with an average age of 23, in the Bursa Organized Industrial Zone. I would like to share some of them.
Generation Z defines itself as "fun"
When Generation Z was asked how they define themselves in the research, "Fun" (55.45%) ranked first, "Logical" (51%) second, and "Entrepreneurial" (49%) third. This was followed by; Free/Adventurous (46%), Leader (31.5%), Leader (30%), Democratic (28%), Mediator (21%). "Obedient" () ranked last.
They prefer positive and trustworthy leaders
When asked what kind of leader they want to work with in their professional life, the research revealed that Generation Z wants to work with "Positive and Trustworthy" (57.6%) leaders. Their other preferences were "Smart" (0.2%), "Visionary" (0.9%), "Collaborative" (9.1%), and "Confident" (4.2%).
In the research, Generation Z was asked survey questions about their work life, as well as questions from the social media usage scale, work-life scale, and acceptance of differences scale.
Generation Z is close to traditional values!
The research found that the level of social media usage was moderate. When the Work-Life Scale was analyzed, it was revealed that working Generation Z employees adopted traditional values in their work life. Traditional values indicated certain values such as specific working hours and work arrangements, working at the same workplace for a certain number of years to get promoted, job loyalty, and valuing work. Valuing work was found to be at a moderate level. Job loyalty was determined to be at a moderate level. Furthermore, it was observed that working conditions were also valued. In terms of adherence to rules, Generation Z was found to be close to traditional values. It was revealed that they were not bothered by the presence of rules.
They approach differences with tolerance
According to the results of the acceptance of differences scale, working Generation Z employees were found to embrace differences at a high level. When sub-dimensions were examined, acceptance levels for different religious/ethnic structures, different external appearances, and different opinions were found to be high. According to these results, Generation Z is not uncomfortable seeing people of different religious/ethnic backgrounds around them, working with them, or being friends with them.
Similarly, they tolerate people with different appearances, different clothing styles, tattoos, or facial piercings, and are not uncomfortable with them. Their acceptance levels for different thoughts and ideas were also found to be high. When the differentiation of measurements by gender was analyzed, it was found that women had a higher level of acceptance of differences than men. This means that women can tolerate differences more.
Differences are normalized thanks to social networks
Research conductor Assoc. Dr. Aylin Tutgun Ünal stated that "Generation Z's close interaction with social media from an early age and the fact that global diversities have become part of their daily lives through social networks have led them to normalize differences." She added, "Connecting to online networks to integrate cultural habits, music styles, or clothing styles from the other side of the world into their own lives allows them to tolerate differences."
According to the research results, as the daily social media usage duration increases, the social media usage level is observed to rise. Those with the highest level are users who spend more than 7 hours a day (4.8%), followed by those who spend 4-6 hours (0.4%). The same result was reached for the dimensions of continuity and proficiency. As daily social media usage time increases, the perceived proficiency in social media use also increases, and these groups show more continuity in social media. 60.6% of Generation Z use social media for 1-3 hours a day, and 0.4% use it for 4-6 hours a day.
Social media usage level is high among those who prefer flexible work...
According to the type of motivation for job application, social media usage level and acceptance of differences level varied. Accordingly, the social media usage level is high among those who prefer flexible work. The social media usage level of those who prefer a good financial salary is also higher than other preferred motivations. The social media usage level of those who say "I prefer a fun job" is higher than those who say "community/team work." The lowest social media level was found among those who prefer community/team work.
Thus, while it was revealed that those who use social media less showed a positive attitude towards team work, flexible working, good salary, and a fun job were found to be work styles that allow Generation Z to continue their social media use.
Generation Z primarily wants their ideas to be valued
Work-life values differed according to the perception of whether their ideas were valued at work. It was revealed that those who stated their ideas were not valued at work drifted away from job loyalty and preferred job changes. 76% of Generation Z stated that they do not want to work in a workplace where they cannot express their ideas freely, despite a high salary.
Job loyalty of Generation Z increases when their ideas are valued
It was found that the social media usage level, continuity, and self-perceived proficiency of Generation Z who stated that their ideas were not valued were significantly high. It was concluded that those who stated that their ideas were not valued at work used social media more.
Hierarchy at work, comfort on social media
Among those who said "hierarchy at work does not bother me" (49.7%), the acceptance level of differences, acceptance of different religious/ethnic structures, and acceptance of different external appearances were found to be high. It was observed that Generation Z, with high tolerance for differences, was also tolerant of hierarchy. The acceptance/tolerance level of differences was found to be low among those who were bothered by hierarchy (0.6). Accordingly, it can be said that those who do not accept differences in their environment also do not accept hierarchy. 30.6% stated that they had not considered this issue.
It was revealed that those who said "hierarchy bothers me" found themselves significantly proficient in social media. Again, the social media usage level of these individuals was found to be high. Generation Z, who does not want hierarchy, prefers the comfort of social media.
According to Generation Z, "flexible work reduces stress"
When asked what can be done to reduce stress in work life, those who said "flexible working hours" (0.3%) and "reduced workload" (0.2%) were found to differ significantly from others. Accordingly, it was revealed that those who made these suggestions did not adopt rules in working life / were distant from traditional values. There was no significant differentiation among other suggestions (offering fun environments: 28.8%, offering individual work environment: 5.8%, engaging in off-work activities: 29%).
Generation Z wants to work in their own business
When asked where they see themselves in the next three years, 37.3% of Generation Z said "working in a position requiring a university degree," while 32.1% said "working in my own business." Working in a family business was the least preferred (4.8%).
Generation Z's work motivation: "Excitement"
In the research, Generation Z stated their primary source of motivation at work as "Having a job I am excited about" (30.3%). In second place, Generation Z found "Receiving financial support" (23.6%) to be motivating. Subsequently, "Being appreciated" () and "Being fun" (8.5%) were listed as sources of motivation. Factors that motivate Generation Z in work life, such as having an exciting job, being fun, receiving financial support, and being appreciated, collectively account for 77.6%.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan - Üsküdar Üniversitesi Founding Rector-Psychiatrist
Interview by Büşra Tosun Yörük - Çekmeköy 2023 Magazine