Gen Z

A survey of over 1,000 US professionals revealed many fake work by moving their mouse, delaying email responses, and keeping unused browsers open. Gen Z leads with 80% working fewer hours than they appear.

Paper checks remain in use as some retailers still accept them, though younger cashiers (Gen Z) may be unfamiliar with handling non-cash or non-card payments.

A Hong Kong Christian Service survey found that Gen Z in Hong Kong underestimates the negative impact of social media on mental health, with frequent users reporting higher levels of loneliness compared to less frequent users. The study involved 572 participants aged 11 to 24.

A record 19% of 25- to 34-year-olds in the U.S. live with their parents or grandparents, driven by a challenging job market, housing affordability issues, and shifting social norms. The trend mirrors millennials' struggles post-2008 but raises concerns about Gen Z's long-term housing prospects.

Gen Z is purchasing homes despite rising housing costs by finding innovative solutions, challenging previous assumptions about their buying behavior. Younger buyers are adapting to high costs through creative strategies.

A free virtual workshop titled 'The World of Side Hustles' will be hosted by Gesher Human Services on Sunday, July 12, at 10 a.m. The event will cover freelance work platforms, LinkedIn/social media skill promotion, and portfolio building. Experts note 57% of Gen Z Americans have a side hustle, compared to 21% of Boomer Americans.

Germany's Bundeswehr is attracting young job seekers amid an economic recession and job cuts, with applications rising 23% in January 2026. Many Gen Z applicants view military service as a fallback option rather than a vocation.

New data from LendingTree shows 8.2% of Americans now use personal loans for everyday bills, up from 3.4% three years ago. Gen Z is most likely to rely on such loans, with buy now, pay later loans increasingly used for essentials like groceries rather than luxury items.

More Americans are using personal loans to cover everyday expenses, with the percentage of borrowers doing so doubling from 3.4% to 8.2% in three years. Gen Z is the most likely age group to rely on such loans, and 'buy now, pay later' loans are increasingly used for essentials like groceries rather than larger purchases, according to LendingTree data.

More Americans are using personal loans to cover everyday expenses, with 8.2% of borrowers now using them for basic bills, up from 3.4% three years ago. Gen Z is the most likely age group to rely on such loans, and 'buy now, pay later' loans are increasingly used for essentials like groceries rather than larger purchases. LendingTree warns of challenges in managing multiple loans and advises borrowers to track payments and understand their financial limits.

UBS reports that the Great Wealth Transfer will shift wealth demographics toward younger, more female, and openly queer individuals over the next two decades, with $80 trillion expected to be transferred. LGBTQ+ and women investors are projected to influence investment strategies and capital costs as they inherit larger portions of family wealth.

Gen Z's jaded view of employment, shaped by the Great Recession and current economic challenges like housing and job market barriers, has hardened into distrust. A SignalFire analysis shows entry-level hiring dropped over 50% from 2019-2024, while 57% of Gen Zers believe their generation faces financial failure.

The diamond industry is launching a marketing campaign focused on storytelling to attract millennial and Gen Z consumers and revive the appeal of natural diamonds.

Gen Z's distrust of AI despite high adoption rates is highlighted through Hollywood filmmakers and the creator economy. Young filmmakers like Curry Barker, Markiplier, and Kane Parsons bypassed traditional studios to create successful films using internet-based strategies, while TikTok's AI Cast aims to automate content creation for creators.

CMOs from Coach, American Eagle, Bobbie, and other companies are prioritizing platforms like Pinterest, YouTube, and TikTok to target Gen Z and Gen Alpha audiences. They emphasize using AI, consumer interviews, and visual discovery tools to engage younger demographics and adapt to evolving digital trends.

Gen Z is increasingly running for political office, with a notable conflict in Colorado highlighting tensions between the mainstream Democratic Party and a youthful left-wing faction. The article emphasizes generational shifts in political engagement.

Melat Kiros is running for office to challenge Representative Diana DeGette, who was elected to her Denver-area seat a year before Kiros was born. The article highlights Gen Z's involvement in politics.

A third of Gen Zers used AI for homebuying research in the past year, according to a Bank of America Institute study. While they rely on AI for process research and property analysis, most still prefer human realtors for legal and contractual aspects of closing. AI-driven real estate platform Jitty, which caters to Gen Z and young millennials, has seen rapid growth as users seek personalized digital experiences similar to TikTok and Spotify.

LinkedIn reports real estate is the second-fastest-growing industry for new graduates, with roles like new home sales specialists expanding rapidly. A Gen Z real estate agent earned $75K in their first year without prior experience, highlighting the sector's accessibility and earning potential.

A 2025 study by EduBirdie reveals 10% of Gen Z workers want their bosses replaced by AI, with 69% already being polite to ChatGPT. Gen Zers cite AI as potentially fairer, less toxic, and more neutral, while managers risk losing talent if they fail to address workplace issues highlighted by AI preferences.

Gen Z employees prefer hybrid work environments, with 71% wanting a balance between remote and in-office work, according to Gallup. They seek in-person interactions for career growth and mentorship, debunking the myth that they resist office work. Surveys by Harris Poll, Freeman, BSG, and MetLife highlight their desire for face-to-face connections to combat loneliness and enhance professional relationships.

The article details a taste test of 17 Olipop prebiotic soda flavors, ranking them from worst to best. The author highlights cream soda as their favorite and criticizes watermelon-lime as the most unappealing. Olipop's popularity, health claims, and 2023 sales projections exceeding $200 million are also noted.

Andreas Karagounis, a 21-year-old Gen Z entrepreneur, founded Gen Z Junk Removal after starting with couch flipping in college. His business now thrives in Northern Virginia, focuses on hiring students with fair wages, and challenges stereotypes about Gen Z's work ethic by offering hands-on job experience and client interaction skills.

TIAA CEO Thasunda Brown Duckett advises Gen Z to prioritize retirement savings by maxing out 401(k)s early, sharing her own experience of doing so at age 26 when she earned $26,000 at Fannie Mae. She emphasizes the power of compounding and employer matches to build long-term wealth.

Two years after youth-led protests in Kenya, activists report unresolved issues. The Gen Z movement remains decentralized, influencing politics, demanding justice, and challenging authority.

Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman argues AI will reshape but not eliminate white-collar jobs, citing Amazon's hiring of 11,000 interns and graduates in 2026 and increased software developer employment despite AI advancements. He compares AI's impact to Microsoft Excel, emphasizing job transformation rather than displacement.

The article warns that 43 million young Americans (Gen Alpha and Gen Z) face a future healthcare crisis due to 'tech neck' caused by excessive smartphone and computer use. This condition could lead to severe spinal issues, escalating medical costs, and economic strain on insurance systems. Preventive school-based programs, similar to sports injury prevention, are proposed to mitigate the crisis.

The article argues that Gen Z must develop tolerance for discomfort ('friction-maxxing') to succeed in their careers, as technology has removed many low-stakes social interactions that older generations experienced. Surveys from 2025 highlight a gap in durable skills like active listening and collaboration among recent graduates, which employers increasingly value as AI automates routine tasks.

Phone call anxiety is prevalent among Gen Z and millennials, with 42% avoiding calls and 10% finding them more stressful than breakups. A zillennial author tested three apps (Calm, MindShift CBT, and an unnamed third) to address call anxiety, but only one app successfully motivated them to make a call.

In 2025, 25.2 million U.S. adults under 35 lived with their parents, representing one in three young adults, a record high driven by affordability crises and low wages rather than unemployment. Around 70% of employed young adults still living at home reported financial strain due to high housing costs and stagnant wages, with 64% of parents providing ongoing financial support to their Gen Z children.

New graduates are encountering conflicting messages about AI, with teachers banning it while employers demand AI skills, creating a frustrating double standard. This challenge compounds the difficulties Gen Z faces in a tough job market.

Psychologist Lindsay C. Gibson argues that emotionally mature, adaptable children will thrive in the AI-driven workforce, as traditional career paths and obedience-based success metrics become less relevant. She emphasizes resilience, creativity, and flexibility over straight-As and rigid career trajectories, noting that AI is disrupting entry-level jobs and requiring frequent career pivots.

Gen Z workers at age 24 earn more than millennials did at the same age, according to research by the Resolution Foundation. The study indicates a financial rebound for Gen Z compared to previous generations, with their earnings surpassing any cohort since those born in the 1950s.

Gen Z prioritizes financial security over traditional workplace social events, showing proactive behavior like tracking expenses and valuing 401(k)s as status symbols. Despite efforts, many feel financially insecure, with low participation in workplace retirement plans. Employers can help by simplifying enrollment, automating savings, and providing financial education to build confidence and retention.

Miranda Hart expresses hope that Gen Z recognizes the meaninglessness of fame following a relapse of her chronic health condition after filming for Celebrity Traitors.

A survey by RiseGuide found that 42% of Gen Z and millennial workers avoid phone calls, with 78% of avoiders reporting that this habit costs them earnings or career opportunities. The term 'callergy' describes this avoidance, linked to reliance on text-based communication and delayed conversations.

KFC's design chief, Christophe Poirier, argues that brands should avoid over-focusing on Gen Z and instead target broader audiences through evolving strategies. The company's new product line includes sauces like Chimichurri Ranch and Hot Honey, as well as Kwench beverages with boba and shakes, aiming to appeal across generations.

The article highlights the rising popularity of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) among Gen Z through social media trends like 'Chinamaxxing' and cupping reels. It describes TCM content as a mainstream blend of holistic healing and modern trends, with influencers playing a key role in demystifying ancient practices.

Frozen yogurt sales are rebounding after years of decline, driven by health-conscious Gen Z consumers seeking premium ingredients and unique toppings. The number of servings sold increased 26% in the year leading to March 2024, with New York City emerging as a hub for high-end frozen yogurt shops like Mimi’s and Myka Greek Frozen Yogurt.

Gen Z faces challenges in building credit, with half unable to obtain it. The article outlines five actionable steps for motivated young adults to build credit and confidence.