For years, the narrative has been that today’s parents are the first generation tasked with raising children in an online world with very little if any experience to do so. Yes, this perspective was particularly true for Millennial parents, who came of age alongside the internet’s explosive growth in the 1990s and 2000s. However, as we move further into the 2020s, this statement no longer holds true. The landscape of parenthood is changing and post -millennials, commonly known as Gen Z, are the first cohort to grow up fully immersed in digital technology, they are now stepping into the role of being the digital parent and caregiver.
When the internet and technology first became widespread amongst youth, Millennials and older generations faced the daunting challenge of navigating a digital world with no prior blueprint, roadmap, or experience. They were tasked with figuring out everything from online safety, security, and privacy, to managing screen use with their kids while grappling with the same issues in their own lives. This was the era of trial and error, the wild, wild west of the early internet and technology where parents attempted to learn alongside their children, often making mistakes as they embarked on this digital journey.
However, Gen Z has a fundamentally different relationship with technology. Born roughly between 1997 and 2012, they are the first generation to grow up with iPhones, social media, and constant internet access as a teen. For them, the digital world is not something to adapt to – it’s something they’ve always known. Now, as they become parents, they bring a unique set of skills and perspectives that distinguish them from previous generations of parents.
We have found that most Gen Z parents are more digitally literate – they have grown up in an environment where the internet and social media have been fully integrated into their lives. This firsthand familiarity with technology provides them with an intuitive understanding of the benefits and pitfalls of digital life or what we like to call the “onlife” world. They know firsthand the power of social media to connect and the potential dangers of online misinformation, cyberbullying, privacy breaches, and online toxicity.
Unlike their Millennial predecessors who had to learn about online risks as adults, many Gen Z parents and caregivers have been educated on these issues from a young age. They have experienced the consequences of oversharing online, dealt with cyberbullying, online toxicity, and navigated the complexities of personal digital dossiers. This firsthand experience allows them to approach parenting with a level of digital literacy and knowledge that previous generations did not have and could only acquire over time.
Because of their onlife upbringing, we are finding that Gen Z parents are likely to approach parenting differently than previous generations. They are more likely to be proactive in setting digital boundaries for their children, such as using parental controls, monitoring online activity, ensuring the right access and use of technology at the right time and developmental stage, and having open conversations about online safety. They understand the importance of balance – ensuring that their children benefit from technology without becoming overwhelmed by it.
More importantly, Gen Z parents are more attuned to the ever-changing landscape of social media and digital trends. They are not just aware of the platforms their kids are using – they have probably used some of them themselves. This familiarity allows them to guide their children through the digital world more effectively, providing advice that is both relevant and informed.
However, despite their comfort with technology, Gen Z parents will still face challenges. The onlife world is constantly evolving, and with it, new risks and opportunities emerge. The rapid pace of technological change means that even Gen Z parents and caregivers must stay vigilant and adaptable. Gen Z parents will need to navigate issues like AI-driven content, new apps, and the increasing ubiquitous integration of technology into everyday life. This is something that we here at the White Hatter specialize in and help parents and caregivers with.
Additionally, while many Gen Z parents may be more comfortable with technology, they will also need to ensure that their children develop healthy relationships with it, so that their kids are less likely to make the same mistakes they did when they were pre-teens and teens. This includes fostering digital literacy, encouraging critical thinking, and promoting a balanced lifestyle that includes offline activities and face-to-face interactions.
Anecdotally, we have observed that some Gen Z parents and caregivers who had limited exposure to technology during their youth may approach the “onlife” world with increased caution or even fear when it comes to their children today. We believe that this apprehension often arises from their own lack of experience with technology and the internet during their teenage years. When coupled with headlines that sensationalize the risks associated with technology use, this can further heighten their sense of unease, leading them to adopt a more defensive approach to onlife parenting.
In contrast, we have found that Gen Z parents who grew up with technology, tend to adopt a more balanced approach. Because of their experiences, they recognize the importance of setting boundaries while also appreciating the value that technology can bring to their children’s lives. These parents are more likely to engage in open conversations about online safety, helping their children navigate digital spaces responsibly together. They view technology as a tool for entertainment, education, communication, and connection, embracing its opportunities while remaining mindful of its challenges and dangers. By fostering this balance, we have found that many Gen Z parents are better equipped to guide their children through the onlife world with greater confidence and resiliency.
With Gen Z stepping into the role of parent and caregiver, we are entering a new era of digital parenting – one where today’s parent and caregiver has likely grown up with the similar technologies that their child is using today.
As Gen Z parents navigate this landscape, they will bring a depth of understanding and experience that previous generations of parents lacked. While they will face their own unique challenges for sure, their comfort with technology will be a valuable asset in raising today’s generation of youth to be more digitally literate.
Given their comfort with navigating the onlife world and leveraging its benefits, today’s Gen Z parent is likely to extend their technological experience into their parenting practices. However, they are also acutely aware of the need to balance digital convenience with the essential human elements of parenting. Having witnessed firsthand how their own parent’s excessive use of digital devices sometimes disrupted family interactions, they recognize the importance of maintaining genuine human connections. We are finding that Gen Z parents are committed to ensuring that their children grow up in an environment that is not only technologically enriched and diverse, but also deeply connected on a human level, redefining parenting norms with more progressive practices surrounding digital literacy.
The future of parenting in today’s “onlife” world is now guided by those who have grown up fully immersed in it – and in our professional opinion, that’s a transformative and positive shift that will benefit all our kids in today’s onlife world.
Digital Food For Thought
The White Hatter
Facts Not Fear, Facts Not Feelings, Enlighten Not Frighten, Know Tech Not No Tech
