TRENDS INFLUENCING GEN Z
Gen Z, also known as iGen and occasionally Gen Covid, are part of a generation that begins around 1996. In the U.S., Gen Z has always viewed 9/11 as history because they do not remember it as a contemporary event.
Many of Gen Z’s behaviors, values, and communication preferences are clearly different than older generations—even Millennials.
Read a few of Jason’s latest discoveries about the top trends shaping members of Gen Z as customers, employees, and citizens.
Technology
Since most of us are already dependent on using technology every day, you might think that Gen Z can’t possibly bring a deeper relationship to tech. But Jason shares in this 2015 keynote how iGen takes it to the next level (and how we’ll all get there eventually, too). Members of iGen actually think pieces of technology in The Jetsons are things of the past, not the future! In fact, Gen Z is the greatest indicator we have of future technology trends that older generations will adopt.
Parenting
It can be argued that parenting is the greatest trend influencing behaviors across generations. Gen Z’s parents are Generation X and Millennials. Generation X does not want their kids to end up acting “entitled” (seriously) and Millennials are breaking into two different parenting generations. How Gen Z is raised will have a profound impact on them as they enter adulthood.
Many people say that the most thought-provoking point of Jason’s TEDx talk is:
“In generations, the changes and trends we’re seeing are actually rippling up instead of down.”
That means that trends are now starting with teens and rippling up to older generations in a way that makes iGen the true trendsetters for everyone, including their grandparents. This explains why Gen Z’s grandparents use Facetime and may make the jump to TikTok–even if right now they think it makes no sense.
Watch Jason’s Latest Speaking Video
After you watch the TEDx talk from way back in 2015, watch Jason’s Speaking Preview Video for a much more current take on Gen Z!

Jason during rehearsals the day before the TEDx event

Backstage right before the TEDx talk!

Gen Z is the most globally-connected generation in the world