1996 – The Year Generation Z Kids Were Born

Recently, we asked ourselves what events and trends were evident in 1996 – the year that Generation Z kids were born.

In order to truly understand the next generation of kids – we believe that we need to put into context the social and environmental trends that have impacted these kids since their birth. What is very interesting about 1996 is that the trends that are extremely evident today were in their infancy. What are we talking about? Have a look at our presentation and our view of the trends that were evident the year this Generation of kids were born.

In 1996:

• There was a clear shift away from the traditional family structure;
• Parents became obsessed with safety and putting their kids on the "path to success";
• Kids spent too much time with "the box";
• Media was used for the first time to create “a frenzy” around a toy named Elmo;
• Spice Girls created “girl power” – the idea that girls could claim power and authority.
• The Internet was in its infancy;
• Electronic devices became fashion accessories;
• Super Mario 64 revolutionized gaming;
• Osama Bin Laden officially declared jihad on America;
• Global warming became a legitimate concern.

While much has changed since 1996, much has also stayed the same. The reality is - this Generation of kids entered a world that was very different than that experienced by other generations.

For this generation, technology would be the norm and so would living with a world where terrorism and the environment would be top news items. This generation of kids have been over-parented and over-protected. They have been exposed to non-traditional family structures and their perspective around what is "normal" will be truly different than it has ever been before.

This generation of kids will think differently, they will have different expectations about what is possible, and will view the world through a truly different - perhaps more empathetic - lens.

What we need to ask is "going forward" how will this generation of kids change society, the workplace and the environment?

Tagged as: Generation Z, Trends

2 Responses »

1. 

   Shairov Perry

   October 8, 2010 • 9:34 am

   Well, yes i think this is very possible. I was born in July 1996 and pretty much this is what happened to us.
   We are still being raised and some being over protected, how being over parented has changed generation z has made some very aggressive, and some very sad. We are very concerned about global warming and cooling and different weather patterns in earth, such as the movie avatar by James Cameron is a good example of what earth was and should be. As teens like I am we use twitter alot and text alot too. Are fashion is very different from previous generations, and all we want is a place we can call home. I think media has influenced generation z with shows such as, maury, jerry springer and other drama shows that influence us to think that is how we are suppose to act.
   The media puts a very bad influence over our future, such as global warming and fights daily in college and glaciers melting in our adulthood and for the generation after that.
   History is being unfolded, some take it very seriously while some people take it very foolishly such as " Oh who cares where in 2010 or 2011."
   Just one message to all of generation x and z, we want peace not over parented by parents, bullies or friends and that includes boyfriends and girlfriends.
   If I could change the world, I would.
   We are tired of racism , being called black, white and how to act and how to look.
   We are different and our kids disserve the best, so we need to change and that includes the former generations.
   In the future even as soon as 2014 we will be 18.
   Generation Y at age 18 were smart , but had lots of problems at home and in return made them aggressive bullies.
   We do not want that when we reach 18.
   Boys and girls should get along better, not bossing each other around and not just being brainless,
   when we were little kids we wanted to grow up and be awesome adults we do not want to turn adults and get there and be brainless using twitter and youtube in a foolish manner, but for good reasons , for business and for talking without dumbness.

   If anybody reads this remember the future is in your hands and we need to change earth and i'm for president Obama for changing our world.
   We do not want to vote and after just forget about it and abandon it like Y did.

   Shairov Perry
2. 

   Deborah Roberts

   October 10, 2011 • 5:00 pm

   I cannot agree more with Shariov on this one. I too am born in generation Z and I too am over-parented and over protected. I for one have experienced every single one of these things and whole heartedly agree with what was said above. On the other hand as said abolve : Generation Y at age 18 were smart , but had lots of problems at home and in return made them aggressive bullies.
   We do not want that when we reach 18.
   Boys and girls should get along better, not bossing each other around and not just being brainless,
   when we were little kids we wanted to grow up and be awesome adults we do not want to turn adults and get there and be brainless using twitter and youtube in a foolish manner, but for good reasons , for business and for talking without dumbness.

   If anybody reads this remember the future is in your hands and we need to change earth and i'm for president Obama for changing our world.
   We do not want to vote and after just forget about it and abandon it like Y did.

   Shairov Perry

   I would like to add to this ending generation Y may have been smart but we pave the line for the future we cannot afford to become another generation X or Y for that matter. Think about it before you act I mean seriously you may be obsessed with the latest makeup and trends maybe even the next math team meeting or something but people of generation Z have to come together for the good of our generation for goodness sake people get out there instead of spending hours in front of the idiot box and get away from youtube and Facebook because is this what we want in the future? I'm asking all of you in generation Z to stand up and get yourselves out of the rut even if it means rebelling a little bit against your over protective parents or standing up to a local bully! For goodness sakes who are we? What are we? What do you want to be do you want to be what happened to generation X? Think about it before you answer you may be surprised what you come up with when you actually evaluate yourselves.
   -Deborah J. Roberts -age 15