Generation Z and iGen is this week’s Young Observer focus. Here are the top ten Generation Z and iGen questions answered.

What is the name for the generation born after Millennials: Gen Z, iGen, Centennials, or something else?

Generation names often change as a generation comes of age and different characteristics or events come to define them. Often, what a generation is called early on is not what ends up sticking. For example, Generation Y morphed into Millennials, yet it’s the exact same generation. At The Centre for Generational Kinetics, they call the generation after Millennials “Gen Z or iGen”.

This corresponds with their research defining them as cloud natives rather than digital natives; their world is “iEverything”, with a lower case “i”. Other popular names for this fast-emerging generation are Generation Z and Centennials.

What are the birth years for Gen Z and iGen (aka “the generation after Millennials”)?

At The Centre, they define the birth years for iGen as being 1996 to the present. The reason that Gen Z definitively starts at 1996 — and not 2000, as many people (often non-researchers) claim — is that the last, most important defining moment for Millennials was September 11, 2001. Those born from 1996 onward do not remember September 11, 2001. If you don’t remember 9/11, then you are NOT a Millennial, but a member of the generation after Millennials: iGen or Gen Z.

What are the most defining characteristics of the Gen Z generation?

As Gen Z members are still largely children and adolescents, many of their adult characteristics are yet to be vetted. Early indications are that they are increasingly self-aware, self-reliant, innovative and goal-oriented.

One key difference from Millennials: most members of iGen or Gen Z don’t remember a time before social media. As a result, they tend to live much more of their entire lives — from interacting with friends and family to making major purchases — online and via their smartphones. This could have profound implications for everything from their relationships and how they learn to virtual reality training and problem-solving.

What are three things about Gen Z and iGen that most people don’t know?

Gen Z are highly educated. It’s likely that a larger percentage of Gen Z will attend and graduate from college than any previous generation, including the Millennials. Gen Z is also adept at web-based research and often self-educates with online sources such as YouTube and Pinterest. They can learn complex things like how to upgrade your computer’s operating system the same way they can learn how to bake a vegan apple pie: one video at a time. They still possess general knowledge about traditional research methods, but they have come of age, placing a priority on how fast you can find the right information rather than on whether or not you know the right information.

Gen Z wants to make a difference in the world. A large portion of the generation would prefer to have a job that makes a positive impact in some way, and a large portion of them volunteer. However, it’s unclear what impact school-based volunteer requirements are having on volunteer rates among iGen. What we do know is that an overwhelming majority of iGen and Gen Z are eco-conscious and concerned about humanity’s impact on the environment. We also know that iGen wants to make a decent living with a stable employer. This practical aspect of financial prudence and wanting to help people could lead to longer-term differentiation from Millennials.

Which mobile apps does iGen favour most?

While Millennials and Gen Z still favour Facebook in terms of total usage, Gen Z views Facebook as being for “older generations”. As Gen Z gets more digital freedom, they appear to prefer more peer-to-peer social media and messaging apps, such as Snapchat, Vine and Instagram. They might even have an anonymous or fake Instagram account so they can share their experiences without fear of online reputation repercussions. In fact, a recent study showed that nearly 25 per cent of 13 to 17-year-olds left Facebook this year.

This shows a trend towards apps that are more instantaneous, use less personal information and are more visually appealing to users.

What will iGen and Gen Z be like as employees in the workplace?

To say that this generation will be hooked to their smartphones at work is an understatement. Gen Z’s future supervisors and managers will have to know that leaving their mobile phone at home — or even leaving it in a drawer — is simply not an option for this new generation.

Who are the parents of iGen and Gen Z?

The parents of Gen Z and iGen are primarily Generation X and Millennials. This marks a huge shift in the behaviours we expect to see as iGen grows up. While Baby Boomers were known for being helicopter parents and raising their kids with an approach often summarised as “We want it to be easier for our kids than it was for us,” we believe Generation X and Millennials will raise their kids with more of a “Figure it out” approach. Of course, only time will reveal the true parenting approaches of Generation X and Millennials, but we are confident that the outcome will be very different than what Millennials experienced from their Baby-boomer parents. We also know that Baby-boomer grandparents will likely do everything they can to continue to make life easier for their iGen grandkids.

Will Gen Z really be that different from Millennials and Gen Y?

Yes. Gen Z is being raised differently than Millennials were, which should have some pronounced effects on their views and approach to being employees, customers and citizens. Gen Z also has a different experience with technology than Millennials, which will affect every area of their life — from healthcare and dating to education and shopping. What is most interesting is that what worked for Millennials does not seem to be working as well with iGen, and this creates tremendous challenges and opportunities for organisations of all sizes and in all industries.

The differences and similarities between iGen and Millennials will be expressed over time, but the one thing we know is that we’ll have more data on iGen than on any generation in history!

• Source and Credit: The Centre for Generational Kinetics. For more information on Generation Z visit The Centre for Generational Kinetics at http://genhq.com