Internet influencers have collected an amazing array of ’80s memorabilia online, and as I reminisce, I am awed by what our parents let us Gen-Xers do! “Death-by-merry-go-round” at every playground should have concussed us when we flew off and onto the rocky ground. We should have had third-degree burns from sliding down what amounted to long cookie sheets every summer at the park. And I can’t even fathom how I raced down neighbors’ yards on my bicycle before choosing the perfect point to skid into our driveway. One time I overshot and paid for it with concrete burns and blood. Good times…
Fast forward from Gen X to Gen Z. Born between 1997 and 2012, Gen Z is still maturing, and my kiddos are in the middle of it.
I really like Gen Z. Yes, there are things to work on, but remember, most of their frontal lobes aren’t completely developed yet. One good thing is that they appear to desire authenticity. In pursuit of that, many have headed back to church. Recent research from the Barna Group shows a post-pandemic surge of Gen Z churchgoers over age 18. This isn’t a typical trend. In fact, Barna says that it appears to be a “generational reversal.”
Could part of this return to church be due to Gen Z’s proclivity towards anxiety and depression?
According to the Walton Family Foundation, 42% of Gen Z have battled depression and feelings of hopelessness. This is nearly twice as high as Americans over age 25. In addition, a 2022 federal survey found that nearly 4.8 million people age 12-17 had a major depressive episode in 2021.
What’s driving this? Obviously, the isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic had adverse effects on adolescents and their mental well-being. But there are multiple factors contributing to their mental health concerns.
Gen Z is the first generation with full access to the internet. They’ve grown up on social media. They are technologically savvy in a way older generations may never be. But we now know that social media can have damaging effects on mental health. Platforms such as Instagram and TikTok encourage perfect perceptions of peers and foster environments of comparison. Teens who consistently compare themselves to the highlight reels of everyone else’s lives are bound to have increased risks of anxiety and mood disorders. Pair that with cyberbullying or online verbal harassment, and you’ve got a recipe for adolescent disaster.
Academic pressure has increased for Gen Z. Universities continue to raise tuition costs and admission standards, meaning high school students worry about their grade point averages, ACT/SAT scores, service hours, and extracurricular activities. How much is enough to entice a college to consider accepting their application?
High schools, specifically English departments, could help improve mood and mental health by improving book options for students. I found that nearly all the books on a variety of high school reading lists contain incredibly depressing subject matter, including “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” “The Hate U Give,” “Speak,” “Long Way Down,” “All American Boys,” which collectively contain themes of rape, domestic abuse, murder, vengeance, racial divide, and police brutality. At times, it feels like the public education system is trying to keep adolescents divided and depressed. Simply choosing more positive novel choices might lift the spirits of kids who already have hard lives at home.
After high school, trade school, or college, Gen Z faces economic challenges. High costs of living, stagnant salaries, and a national debt crisis of $37 trillion are all causing additional stress for the 20-somethings in this generation. Around 86% of Gen Z allegedly experience stress about finances.
I want to help my children. I realize there are many things they will have to figure out on their own. But if our Gen Z (and Generation Alpha) kids are still living in our homes, what can we do to uplift them?
For starters, keep them off social media for as long as possible. It drives comparison and insecurity.
Keep electronics in common areas of our homes.
If you’re a Christian, share Scripture regularly with your children. God’s Word is hope in a world that often feels hopeless.
Pray for this generation – that they will know the love and encouragement of Christ. We must remind our children that they are so much more than their successes or failures.
Will that cure anxiety and depression? Often not. Gen Z may need additional reinforcements, such as medication and wise counsel. There should be no stigma associated with either of those. Both often work hand in hand to regulate the brain and the body as hormones rapidly change.
As a parent of kiddos in Gen Z, I think there is a lot of substance to this group. Lots of “rizz.” They remind me of Gen X because they often see things as “sus” or “mid.” They like to “flex,” but respect peers with a chill “vibe.” Most of all, I think they’re 6-7.
Okay, that’s a lame attempt to demonstrate my vast Gen Z vocabulary, but on a serious note, the Lord appears to be doing something in this generation. May we be faithful to help them find solid ground, especially since many of them seem weary from trudging.
Kristin Landers is a substitute teacher and freelance writer. Landers’ previous work includes serving as Communications Director for the Alabama Policy Institute and working for Citizens Against a Legalized Lottery (CALL) to defeat legalized gambling in the state of Alabama.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to [email protected].
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