Lisa O
Every generation is unique compared to the one before it. This is understandable since each group grows up with different economic, cultural, and technological experiences, which shape their tastes and values. However, with the fast-paced changes brought about by the internet—Baby Boomers often find the habits and preferences of Gen Z puzzling. Here are 15 things Gen Z loves that Boomers don’t understand!
The Prank Video Craze
One thing about Gen Z that Boomers often dislike is their love for pranks. As one person put it, “The main reason I don’t like prank videos is that they take away the consent of the person being pranked, especially when the prank is very harmful or mean to the victim.” In the end, pranks overlook the fact that life can be tough—and most people are just trying to do their best.
Social Media Oversharing
We all see how much the younger generation loves sharing everything on social media. Baby boomers didn’t have social media, so they don’t understand why you’d want to tell everyone about your life. Someone from the older generation mentioned, “The constant urge to share everything on social media, from meals to family to relationships, just baffles me.”
Content Creation Frenzy
In today’s digital world, it seems like everyone is making content. TikTok stars and Instagram influencers are making good money from it, and it’s easier than ever to get started. But Baby Boomers often ask, “How do people have so much time to make all this online stuff?” They were used to doing physical work, so they don’t understand how making content can be a full-time job.
Loud Phone Conversations
Gen Z will spend ages adjusting the lighting for a photo and curating a playlist. Still, they also think everyone should hear their conversation about what happened at Lily’s party last weekend. In the Gen Z mindset, if a call is on speakerphone, it’s like a real-life group chat in which everyone is included. It’s inclusive! Older people use speakerphones because they have hearing problems, so they don’t understand why Gen Z does the same.
Label Overuse
The younger generations—like Gen Z and Gen Y—tend to overuse labels and terms. They quickly judge others and have a name for everyone. They often call anyone they don’t like narcissistic, and any kind of lying or disagreement is gaslighting. This can be overwhelming for folks who want to express their views freely but fear being judged harshly.
Texting with Poor Grammar
Imagine getting six one-line texts in a row. If you can figure out where the periods should go, you might understand them, but they’re full of texting abbreviations and slang. Gen Z often adds unnecessary words and skips punctuation, making their messages hard for Boomers to understand. These texts are like spoken words and are common among younger people, but they can confuse older generations.
Filming Tears for Attention
Boomers struggle to grasp why and how Gen Zers film themselves crying. They think it’s even more pathetic because the person has to set up their phone, find the right angle, and strike a pose that looks appropriately devastated. It seems like a shameless plea for attention. And you can bet some of them did multiple takes if they weren’t happy with the first one.
Embracing FaceTime
Boomers didn’t have the luxury of using apps like Skype to video call—but Gen Z is constantly FaceTiming others. They always prefer FaceTiming over just calling, no matter where they are. Many Boomers think, “Unless there’s something you need to show me, I’d rather not have my face on screen.” But Gen Zers are making the most of technology.
Celebrity Worship Culture
Baby boomers grew up when Hollywood was experiencing a revival, so they didn’t obsess over celebrities like Gen Z does. They believe that celebrity worship is one of society’s silliest things. It’s hard for them to understand why anyone would think being popular or talented makes someone perfect. Most celebrities are just as flawed and ordinary as everyone else—they’re just famous.
Obsession with Prime
There’s no denying that Gen Z loves Prime. But on the other hand, most boomers would choose Gatorade over any flavor of that stuff. Prime’s popularity comes from a mix of old-school and new-school marketing tactics. It’s even the official hydration partner of Arsenal Football Club—which gives them access to athletes and footballers, and they use that in some of their ads.
Seeking Online Validation
Social media platforms are places where people often display and shape their lives. For Gen Z, getting likes, comments, and followers can become a big deal, even addictive—sometimes making them focus more on online approval than real-life connections. Boomers believe young people should take breaks from screens and spend time offline, engaging with others face-to-face.
Life Hack Video Mania
A survey found that nearly 65% of Generation Z prefer using videos to learn about different topics. But Boomers often wonder why young folks rely on videos for even basic understanding. One person commented, “Those videos claiming to be life hacks are just common sense. Like, ‘try this crazy hack for perfectly cut bagels!’ and they use a bagel cutter. Do you really need someone to show you that?”
Public Music Playing
Gen Z has a habit of playing music from their phone speakers while strolling through the streets or using public transport. This behavior puzzles Boomers—who struggle to understand why young folks opt for such a public display of their tunes. They find it disruptive to others’ peace and consider it rather impolite. Mature people often prioritize consideration for others and tend to use headphones for their music enjoyment.
Squishmallow Mystery
Baby Boomers often wonder about Squishmallows, saying, “I thought they did something. They’re almost $25 each! It’s just a pillow.” However, they admit they were part of the Beanie Baby craze, so they might not understand. Squishmallows became popular mainly through TikTok. Despite having around 411,000 followers on the platform—their posts have gotten millions of views.
Mukbang and ASMR Trend
New research shows that Gen Z is more adventurous when trying new foods and drinks than other generations. They also tend to spend more money on food. ASMR and Mukbangs—especially when combined, are seen as relaxation techniques. Some enjoy watching others eat foods they can’t or won’t try themselves. However, some older generations might find watching someone eat excessively on camera distasteful.