The span of a generation from beginning to end seems always open to debate and controversy. Nevertheless, by the broadest definition, the years for Generation Z are 1991 to 2011.
According to an article in The National, this generation might be the saddest generation of all evidenced in the rising rate of emotional disorders among adolescents. They increased by 70 percent between 1974 and 1999. In addition, the rate of adolescent suicide has doubled in the last 30 years.
Why Is Generation Z Depressed?
According to a study reported three days ago in the Toronto Sun, music-loving teenagers are more depressed than their peers, and bookworms are the happiest of all.
Social media websites have also been linked to depression, according to a study released in late March by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Certainly, three challenges my kids face that I did not face are:
Cyberbullying
Facebook depression
Sexting
The links I’ve provided feature helpful information for parents.
According to Researcher Mark McCrindle, defining characteristics of Generation Z include:
Well educated
Immersed in technology
Very collaborative and creative
Masters of multitasking
Technology leads them to expect instant results and constant feedback
Grow up in smaller households with older parents.
Until the global recession, materially endowed.
Many will work in careers that don’t currently exist
Expected to have at least five careers and more than 20 employers
Environmentally conscious
Below is a PSA about cyberbullying created by the National Crime Prevention Council. Also, here are two articles from the website Empowered Parents:
When Your Child’s World Collapses: Kids and Depression Part I
Is Your Child Depressed? 6 Ways to Help Them Cope: Kids and Depression Part II
okay, this explains a lot—but I highly disagree when it comes to forcing your teenagers to socialize. It may sound stupid, but forcing someone to do something they don’t choose to do can put them in a very awkward position, in which they don’t want to upset/disappoint you but they really cant do much else.
You kind of parents are the reason millennials hate you
Well, Liam, I tried.
Great post. I for one had never heard of Facebook Depression.
On the video game front. Its like a cancer. Most parents struggle with their kids over the amount of time spent on it. I don’t think that it is bad in and of itself, it is that when they are playing video games, they are not reading books, listening or making music, running, jumping, or playing creatively.
It is just a zero, wasted time you never get back.
What an interesting stat — our kids are more depressed. I recently gave in and bought my kids a Wii, but am maintaing very strict time limits on screen time. I find as my boys approach tween years that having friends over requires this kind of thing more and more, and while I don’t like the gaming any more than you do, I want my sons to want to hang out at my house with their friends. I hope I haven’t just slid down the slippery slope, butin the week since we got it, my older son has had three playdates at my house, more than he had in the previous two months! And the playdate included lots of outdoor play and board games and lego too, so my screen time limits are holding so far.