All articles tagged with #gen z
Non-carbonated drinks are gaining ground as seltzer fatigue hits, driven by Gen Z’s preference for fizz-free options in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic categories. Brands like Surfside, Liquid Death, Celsius and BeatBox are expanding fizz-free lines, while traditional seltzers underperform, signaling a broader shift in the beverage landscape toward still drinks packaged in cans.
Graduating students across the U.S. booed speakers who framed AI as the future boon, reflecting a real surge of anxiety about how AI will affect entry-level jobs. Data on the Class of 2026 show higher unemployment for grads, a tighter hiring market, and a big spike in searches for entry-level roles, while Gallup finds Gen Z’s excitement about AI waning and concerns about risks outweighing benefits. Experts say the backlash goes beyond a momentary reaction and signals a broader skepticism about AI’s impact on work and creativity.
After the Supreme Court chief justice likened unemployed youths to cockroaches, Abhijeet Dipke launched the Cockroach Janta Party as a satirical online movement. It quickly amassed millions of followers, attracted high-profile sign-ups (including Mahua Moitra and Kirti Azad), and has become a pointed critique of unemployment, media manipulation, and the Modi government, turning a joke into a real, if unofficial, political force.
Gen Z's enthusiasm for AI is waning amid rising anxiety about job displacement and a public backlash at commencements; surveys show a 14% drop in excitement and growing anger toward AI, even as many young people still use AI daily. The mood shift coincides with a tougher job market and a nostalgia for older tech, with some grads and workers resisting AI strategies while others see AI as accelerating their careers.
TPUSA chapters in battleground states show young conservatives growing more skeptical of the Iran war and feeling betrayed by Trump’s “no new wars” pledge, while also grappling with high gas prices and living costs. Many look to Tucker Carlson as a more anti-war influence than GOP leaders, signaling a possible anti-intervention tilt within the MAGA base. Polls indicate a generational split, with younger Trump supporters less enthusiastic about intervention than older Republicans. The mood could strain MAGA unity ahead of 2028, as students urge an open primary and question whether Rubio or Vance can rally the next generation.
Gen Z is driving a revival of Mark Rothko, turning his color-field canvases into social-media aesthetics, outfit ideas, and mood archetypes, while galleries—from the Rothko Chapel in Houston to Florence exhibitions—embrace digital viewing as a pathway to deeper engagement with the artist’s meditative color palettes.
A new AT&T study analyzing Mother's Day activity on its network found that 75% of users texted their moms, with about three texts sent for every one phone call. The data, drawn from Mother's Day 2025 activity, shows Houston, San Antonio, and Chicago as the top cities for reaching out, and notes that Gen Z is the most likely to text daily. The study suggests texting has become a quick, personal way families stay connected on Mother’s Day.
Aluminum-can shortages caused by Gulf disruptions are limiting Diet Coke in India, sparking Gen Z–led parties and a wave of creativity as retailers scramble to restock the beverage.
A IGN/Dentsu study reports 62% of players no longer buy full-price games, signaling a shift from ownership to subscription-based discovery among Gen Z. The piece argues Game Pass could benefit by aligning with younger audiences’ comfort with subscriptions and by delivering strong first-party and indie titles, effectively acting as a discovery engine. While not everyone will abandon owning games, rising prices and industry trends provide context for why subscriptions may increasingly shape how we buy and experience games.
A growing share of Gen Z—and other generations—are quitting social media for digital well-being, aided by affordable dumbphones and offline challenges like Month Offline, as studies show declines in platform use and rising polarization; proponents say people are rediscovering real-world connections and privacy.
Over his first year, Pope Leo XIV has asserted bold, measured leadership—advocating immigration justice, limiting the death penalty, and guiding a gradual reform path rooted in the Second Vatican Council. His American roots show in public moments like wearing a Chicago White Sox cap and delivering English-language addresses, helping him connect with anglophone Catholics and Gen Z. He’s reshaping US episcopal leadership, and the so‑called “Leo effect” coincides with renewed interest in Catholicism among youth, all while pursuing long‑game peace and dialog.
A new study from Dentsu and IGN Entertainment finds more than half of Gen Z chase a single title by subscribing and unsubscribing from streaming services, signaling weak platform loyalty. The same cohort also shows—along with broader gaming trends—reluctance to buy full-price games (62%) and a shift away from physical media (71% music, 70% TV/movies). The Generations In Play: 2026 Audience Insights Report, based on 6,250 respondents across the US, UK and Australia, also notes Gen Z is 13% more likely to attend opening weekends. The takeaway for platforms is to focus on enduring IP and monetization through subscriptions and value-added features rather than relying on a large catalogue.
Wired headphone interest is surging: Cupid PR data shows a 68% month-over-month rise in searches for wired headphones, reaching 2.6 million in April. The trend is driven in part by Gen Z’s embrace of nostalgia and “effortful leisure,” but it’s also framed as a push for durability and higher-fidelity audio. Wired gear is pitched as longer-lasting, lower-maintenance, and less prone to firmware or battery issues, while the tangible act of plugging in creates a ritual that enhances focus and immersion, suggesting a possible shift toward more intentional listening over constant wireless upgrades.
Elise Brandon reviews Freya India’s GirlsⓇ, praising its thorough, research-driven look at how tech and culture commodify Gen Z girls across appearance, emotions, online sharing, relationships, and fulfillment. The book argues that worry and desire are monetized, and it advocates real relationships and Christian-informed ethics to recover humanity. While readable and compelling, it can be repetitive and data-heavy for younger readers. The reviewer also notes a need for external guidance beyond self-empowerment and suggests the book is a strong resource for parents and older readers.
IGN Entertainment released the Generations in Play report, created with Kantar and UC Berkeley, analyzing how Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z consume entertainment and video games. Key findings show Gen X relies on Google search and favors single‑player games, Millennials lean on YouTube and are more likely to buy full‑price games, and Gen Z uses social media with a strong inclination toward multiplayer, while all three groups show distinct patterns for completing games and using guides; 71% no longer buy physical music and 62% no longer buy full‑price games, with Gen X lagging on full‑price purchases (20%) compared with Millennials (38%) and Gen Z (42%). The report will inform IGN’s Imagine AI targeting tool and represents the external publication of internal analytics.