The Algorithm Age

As the first digital native generation, Gen Z is grappling with exposure to global instability in a way that no other generation has. "We were raised with war bleeding through our screens ... we've seen more armed drones, missiles and mutilated children before 9 a.m. than any generation before us," said 25-year-old neuroscience and AI researcher Amogh Mehrotra. Geopolitical turmoil has rocked the world in recent years, from the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war , as well as the conflict between Israel and Iran during which nuclear tensions were heightened. Gen Z is also struggling with inflation , increasing housing prices , climate change and mass corporate layoffs — and they're seeing all of it play out right in front of their eyes. This has created a profound sense of uncertainty for many in the generation as they try to build their future. "Many of us feel like we're inheriting broken systems, ...

A Perth school is getting ahead of the incoming nationwide social media ban for young people under 16, introducing its own initiative to help students adapt to the changes. More than 160 students have voluntarily agreed to stop using social media at John Septimus Roe, in Mirrabooka. The school has also asked the parents of those students to join in and enforce the ban at home and during the weekends, to help their children learn to build connections offline before December 10 – when the real ban will come into effect. Year 9 student Jasmine Cacciola said she had signed up to the program as she found it difficult to get off the apps once she started scrolling. “I always find myself scrolling at night, I find it quite addictive,” she said. Fellow student Jack Simon said he knew it would be hard and that he would miss social media, but that it was “for the best”. Principal Jason Bartell said the school had students from kindergarten to year ...

A Perth school is getting ahead of the incoming nationwide social media ban for young people under 16, introducing its own initiative to help students adapt to the changes. More than 160 students have voluntarily agreed to stop using social media at John Septimus Roe, in Mirrabooka. The school has also asked the parents of those students to join in and enforce the ban at home and during the weekends, to help their children learn to build connections offline before December 10 – when the real ban will come into effect. Year 9 student Jasmine Cacciola said she had signed up to the program as she found it difficult to get off the apps once she started scrolling. “I always find myself scrolling at night, I find it quite addictive,” she said. Fellow student Jack Simon said he knew it would be hard and that he would miss social media, but that it was “for the best”. Principal Jason Bartell said the school had students from kindergarten to year ...

In today’s digital era, children are growing up in a world where social media are as integral to their daily lives as school or family. While technology offers tremendous opportunities for learning, creativity, and connection, it also exposes young people to significant risks that can no longer be overlooked. The consequences are deeply concerning. According to a 2023 report by the European Commission, one in three young people in the EU spends more than three hours per day on social media. This level of overexposure has been closely associated with a growing mental health issues among minors—including anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. A 2024 study by the World Health Organisation showed that a problematic social media use among adolescents increased from 7% in 2018 to 11% in 2022. It highlights negative impacts on mental health, sleep, well-being and academic performance. Social media platforms – often built around addictive algorithms – are designed to keep you...

At 25 years old, Rai says he's often the youngest person in the room at work. It can be a tough spot to be in as a manager with eight reports. The young professional, who goes by Rai Tryna on social media, is among the growing share of Gen Zers taking on the role of "boss" — and many of these young managers are changing how business gets done. Gen Zers, the oldest of whom turn 28 this year, now make up 1 in 10 bosses, and they'll outnumber the share of Baby Boomer managers by next year, according to new research from Glassdoor. The trend shows up on both ends of the income spectrum, like food service (where there tend to be younger workers in general) and in tech (where advancement is usually faster), says Daniel Zhao, lead economist at Glassdoor. Gen Z is going into management despite 'conscious un-bossing' stereotype Twenty-something bosses are gaining ground at the same time many from the age group have become the faces behind trends lik...

At 25 years old, Rai says he's often the youngest person in the room at work. It can be a tough spot to be in as a manager with eight reports. The young professional, who goes by Rai Tryna on social media, is among the growing share of Gen Zers taking on the role of "boss" — and many of these young managers are changing how business gets done. Gen Zers, the oldest of whom turn 28 this year, now make up 1 in 10 bosses, and they'll outnumber the share of Baby Boomer managers by next year, according to new research from Glassdoor. The trend shows up on both ends of the income spectrum, like food service (where there tend to be younger workers in general) and in tech (where advancement is usually faster), says Daniel Zhao, lead economist at Glassdoor. Gen Z is going into management despite 'conscious un-bossing' stereotype Twenty-something bosses are gaining ground at the same time many from the age group have become the faces behind trends lik...

Generation Z, the cohort born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s, has grown up amidst rapid technological advancements. Despite their digital fluency, many within this generation are showing a palpable skepticism towards artificial intelligence (AI). This raises the question, why is Gen Z wary of a technology often touted as transformative and indispensable? Let’s delve into various factors that contribute to this skepticism. The Ethical Concerns Surrounding AI One of the primary reasons Gen Z is skeptical about AI relates to ethical concerns. Many young people are aware of the potential for misuse of data and bias within AI systems. They understand that: AI operates on data: The quality and neutrality of data are critical. If biased data is input, the output will inevitably be biased, leading to ethical dilemmas. AI can reinforce stereotypes: There have been numerous instances where AI systems have exhibited racism, sexism, and other biases, b...