Zoomer Zone: Communicating with Gen Z

EMMA DISON BRANTLEY

My generation has adopted the nickname “Zoomers” primarily because we are the first generation to grow up with digital technology and the internet. Also known as “Generation Z,” we are considered the generation born between 1997-2012. The growth of technology and the internet have provided great tools for our workforce and made life much more convenient, but also created a generation gap in our society which affects conversation and communication between Zoomers and Boomers (those born during the post–World War II baby boom, between 1946 and 1964).

One of the biggest issues with our generations is interpretation problems over text. When you can’t see the other person talking, you get no body language signs for reference making it hard to interpret the tone of what they are saying. Here are a few examples of how Gen Z has shifted the meaning of how we communicate over the phone.

We all know the punctuation mark ellipsis, and most older generations use “...” at the end of a sentence as a way of building suspense, to indicate change of subject, or suggest a loss of thought. Gen Z has adapted the ellipsis to be a passive-aggressive way of communicating over text. You might get (eye roll emoji) as a sign of annoyance or “duh,” but for us, the ellipsis isn’t what it used to be. This miscommunication between generations can lead to uncomfortable conversations that we just tend to end abruptly, or move quickly onto something else.

Speaking of emojis, they were invented in Japan in 1997, but didn’t become popular until the 2010s when they were implemented into mobile devices. Emojis can help the tone of a conversation with a quick (face with steam from nose) or (smiling face with open hands). Over the years, young adults have transformed the meaning of emojis, and it’s creating a communication gap within society. For example, when you find something funny online, most people would reply with (laughing crying), but Gen Z tends to use (skull - I’m dead) or (omg crying) to express something hilarious. Another instance is when you find someone’s post cool or you like what they are sharing, most people would reply with a (thumbs up) or (smiley face) but Gen Z has adopted (fire) or (100%), implying that what they shared is so cool, it’s “on fire” or cool enough to hit the 100% mark.

These are just a few examples of how Gen Z has changed the way we communicate online, but this doesn’t mean it’s impossible to understand how our minds function. Here are a couple of ways you can help bridge the communication gap between our generations. 1. Ask about their communication preferences. Your preference of communication (phone, text, email or in-person) might not be the same as someone else who has a five- to fifteen-year gap between you. Finding and using what makes both of you comfortable is a great way to avoid communication issues down the road. 2. Be open to learning and understanding why these changes exist. Older generations grew up differently learning different tricks, but our newer generations are coming up with ways to make our lives more convenient. Being open-minded about why these changes exist can make the workflow a lot easier. They say, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” but I believe you can learn at any age if you’re willing to be taught.

EMMA DISON BRANTLEY is a third-year student at the University of Cincinnati, where she is pursuing a degree in information technology on the game development and simulation track. When she is not gaming online, she spends time with her parents trying to move them beyond boomer life.