Latest news with #GenerationZ
Telegraph
18 hours ago
- General
- Telegraph
How using a full stop could give away your age
Using a full stop in texts could be giving away your age, an expert has suggested. Noël Wolf, a linguistic expert, said young people – aged from 13 to 28 – were rewriting the rules to 'shift' the meaning of inverted commas, quotation marks, ellipses, full stops and the dash. Using a full stop could actually be conveying a blunt tone, which Generation Z avoida, she told The Telegraph. Traditional usage of various punctuation marks has now been upended, with quotation marks used to imply irony or sarcasm rather than speech and full stops used to convey passive-aggressive bluntness instead of the neutral sentence ender. Meanwhile, ellipses are used to suggest awkwardness or hesitation and commas and dashes repurposed to signal emphasis and to mimic spoken language rather than a pause in the sentence. Ms Wolf cited writers' varying approaches to punctuation use, such as James Joyce and Cormac McCarthy, and their minimal use of punctuation to 'set a particular tone'. 'It's only natural, then, for contemporary writers to embrace this evolving function of punctuation and use it to convey more than just a pause or breath in a sentence,' she added. The language expert also pushed back on the idea that these practices are eroding grammar, instead arguing that it can be more 'emotionally precise'. It comes after it was revealed the semicolon could be dying out after its use has more than halved in two decades, according to language app Babbel. Young people who do not know how to use semicolons were shown as being behind the decline. Ms Wolf added that Gen Z is one of the 'main forces behind this shift in punctuation use' after they 'mainstreamed' new meanings on social media, but claimed it does not signal grammar is 'being destroyed'. She explained that having grown up largely on digital platforms, young people need to use punctuation 'as a way to convey the intended tone of a written short-form message when the tone may not be obvious'. 'Social media is, without question, the main driver behind this evolution,' Ms Wolf continued. 'Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, X and messaging apps have shaped a kind of informal digital writing style that prioritises tone, brevity, and relatability. 'In these spaces, punctuation becomes a crucial stand-in for the cues we'd normally get from tone of voice or facial expression.' She said: 'Grammar isn't being destroyed; it's being stretched to fit new modes of communication. For example, using quotation marks for sarcasm and ellipses for uncertainty 'mirrors real speech more closely' and marks an 'intuitive adaptation to digital life'. Ms Wolf added: 'What might be considered 'wrong' by traditional grammar standards can actually be emotionally precise.'
Observer
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Observer
Instagram wants Gen Z. What does Gen
The writer is a reporter for the Styles desk at The New York Times Instagram is the third most widely used social media site among teenagers, behind YouTube and TikTok, according to a 2024 report from Pew Research. How badly does the photo-sharing app Instagram covet young users? On Thursday, it introduced the most expensive brand campaign in the app's history, according to Meta and it is squarely focused on Generation Z. 'We're 15 years old now and I think one of the core challenges we face is: How do we stay relevant?' Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, said in an interview. The campaign, a series of digital advertisements and billboards featuring stars like musicians Rosalía and Tyler, the Creator, casts Instagram as a launchpad for scrappy creative types. It is just one way in which Meta is acting on its long-simmering anxiety that Instagram risks being written off by a younger generation that expects a looser, less manicured social media experience. 'It's just a lot less pressure posting on TikTok,' said Sheen Zutshi, 21, a college student in New York. She uses Instagram to send direct messages to her friends, but sees it as a more curated option — the sort of place where someone might earnestly post a photo of the night sky, like her older cousin did recently. 'It's just really cute, because she's a millennial,' she said. Instagram is the third most widely used social media site among teenagers, behind YouTube and TikTok, according to a 2024 report from Pew Research. In a survey conducted this spring by investment bank Piper Sandler, nearly half of teenagers said they considered TikTok their 'favourite' platform. In interviews, a dozen members of Gen Z, ranging in age from 15 to 26, said they still used Instagram to keep in touch with friends, scope out crushes, build businesses and pore over cooking videos, despite worrying at times about the app's effects on their mental health. But out of all of its features, they seemed least interested in the polished, public photo feed that had once been Instagram's marquee offering. 'Most of my friends have, like, maybe one post on their account,' said Sophia, 15, a high school student in Arlington, Virginia, who downloaded Instagram last month in order to join a group chat for a study-abroad programme. She summed up a paradox for the photo-sharing app: Gen Z enthusiastically uses Instagram for a host of purposes, just not for its original one. That poses a challenge for Meta, which has for years tried to enhance its appeal among young people while being pummeled by critics over concerns about its apps' safety for younger users. Mark Zuckerberg once worried about the cachet of Facebook, the platform he founded in 2004. 'We have data that many people see Facebook as getting less relevant and believe our best days are behind us,' he wrote in an email to other leaders in 2018. The email was among the exhibits presented by the Federal Trade Commission in its antitrust trial against Meta, which began in April and is awaiting a ruling from a federal judge. Soon, corporate anxieties about relevance shifted to Instagram, the younger, chicer app whose acquisition for $1 billion in 2012 is a focal point of the case. By 2020, an internal strategy memo obtained by TNYT cautioned against letting Instagram's teen audience slip away. 'If we lose the teen foothold in the US we lose the pipeline,' it read. More than a dozen state attorneys general have filed lawsuits against Meta, accusing the company of prioritising engagement over the welfare of young users. The company was publicly pilloried by whistleblowers including Frances Haugen, who testified before senators in 2021 that the company had deliberately kept children hooked on its services. Facing an outcry, the company said it would pause development of an Instagram Kids app that would be tailored for children 13 and younger. — The New York Times
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Losing jobs to AI was just the start, Gen Z is outsourcing emotions too. New reports warn of a looming crisis
In the age of ChatGPT and AI-powered chatbots , Generation Z has found more than just a workplace assistant—they may have found a confidante. But is that necessarily a good thing? According to a June report from , an overwhelming 76% of Gen Z workers in the U.S. use AI chatbots, and 94% of those users rely on these tools to help with workplace issues. Many turn to AI to interpret a manager's tone, navigate miscommunication, and even draft sensitive emails. While this may offer comfort and convenience, it's raising red flags among career experts. Kara Dennison, head of career advising at , points out a key risk: 'Gen Z workers often feel more validated and confident after consulting AI because these tools offer immediate, judgment-free feedback.' However, she cautions that constant validation without challenge can foster a dangerous cycle. 'If an AI tool consistently validates a user's perspective without challenging it, it can reinforce a fixed mindset, enabling blame-shifting rather than self-reflection.' A Shift in Communication, But at What Cost? The data shows a marked transformation in how Gen Z communicates. Nearly half of those surveyed say they alter how they interact with colleagues after using AI. A third become more assertive, while 26% are more inclined to apologize or accept fault. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo Most strikingly, 75% of users reported using AI to analyze digital communications like emails or messages. More than half of respondents even see AI as a colleague or a friend. Nearly half admitted they would rather ask a chatbot for help than approach their boss. But this evolving reliance may come with serious developmental consequences. As Dennison notes, 'AI can't interpret body language, understand power imbalances, or navigate complex organizational dynamics.' The absence of these crucial elements could hinder professional growth, limiting one's ability to build real-world communication skills and resilience. You Might Also Like: Nikhil Kamath's 'lifelong learning' advice is only step one: Stanford expert shares the key skills needed to survive the AI takeover MIT Study Adds to the Debate: Is AI Making Us Mentally Lazy? A separate but related concern has emerged from a recent MIT study that examined how prolonged AI use may affect cognitive engagement. In a controlled experiment, researchers found that participants who relied on ChatGPT to write essays showed significantly lower brain activity and had difficulty recalling what they had written. The study coined this phenomenon as 'cognitive debt'—a type of mental atrophy caused by offloading thinking tasks to machines. The most engaged group? Those who wrote essays without any AI assistance. Not only did they perform better, but they also displayed a higher sense of ownership over their work. The MIT researchers drew parallels to the introduction of calculators in the 1970s. Back then, education systems raised the bar, requiring students to apply higher-order thinking skills rather than basic arithmetic. Today, however, educators have largely failed to evolve curricula that integrate AI as a complementary tool, leading to what some experts are calling 'metacognitive laziness.' — rohanpaul_ai (@rohanpaul_ai) Emotional Intelligence in the Age of Automation While AI offers efficiency and reassurance, experts agree it cannot replace fundamental human faculties like emotional intelligence. 'Healthy workplace communication depends on empathy, active listening, and accountability,' says Dennison. 'AI can complement that process, but it cannot replace it.' You Might Also Like: Forget BTech. Zerodha's Nikhil Kamath says only one skill will matter to stay relevant in job market in 10 years McLean & Co., in a separate advisory report, urges employers and HR professionals to foster emotionally healthy workplaces that don't shy away from emotion but instead integrate it into a supportive work culture. 'Being proactive about how emotions and work coexist,' the report states, 'is essential to building workplaces where everyone can thrive.' The AI Generation's Challenge As AI tools become embedded in workplace dynamics, the next generation faces a delicate balancing act: using technology as a partner without letting it take over the hard parts of being human. Knowing when to consult a chatbot and when to face a situation head-on may be the defining skill of Gen Z's professional life. Because while AI can simulate support, it can't replace the grit, empathy, and growth that come from real-life challenges—and real-life people. You Might Also Like: Is ChatGPT making us dumb? MIT brain scans reveal alarming truth about AI's impact on the human mind
Newsweek
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Woman Leaves Job Interview Thinking It Went Great—Then Looks in the Mirror
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A Generation Z woman who unknowingly wore her dress backwards to a job interview has not only landed the position, but also gained viral attention on Reddit after sharing her lighthearted mishap online. "I'm in my early twenties and located in the Southern U.S., and fun update—I was actually offered the job and accepted it, so it all worked out in the end," the woman, who goes by u/throwmeaway___4 on Reddit, told Newsweek. She had taken to the platform on June 19, with a post detailing her wardrobe mishap that has since gone viral, receiving more than 5,300 upvotes to date. In the post, the woman described rushing to get dressed and accidentally putting on her black dress backwards. It was not until after the interview, she said, that she realized the zipper meant to be at the back was clearly visible down the front of her outfit. "I accidentally wore my dress backwards during a job interview," she said in the post. "I was in a hurry getting ready and threw the dress over my head before running out the front door. "I didn't notice until I got in my car after the interview was over," she added. From left: The woman takes a picture of the outfit she wore back to front during a recent job interview. From left: The woman takes a picture of the outfit she wore back to front during a recent job interview. u/throwmeaway___4 Despite the mix-up, the interview appeared to go smoothly. She told viewers online that the hiring manager told her: "When I interview some people, I can immediately tell they aren't a good fit, but you have really good energy." This comment left her hopeful that the fashion blunder had gone unnoticed, or at least was not flagged as important. The woman had paired the inside-out dress with a smart black blazer. Photos she shared in the post, taken in a mirror, showed the outfit looking largely professional despite the visible zipper on the front. While some commenters noted the mistake, many offered support and encouragement. "The interview was also super casual—I was asked harder questions when applying to work in food service—so I'm hoping I still have a chance of being hired," she wrote at the time. Her story has since resonated with thousands online, many of whom praised her for handling the situation with humor and grace. "I mean, if I were interviewing you, if I did notice the zipper I'd probably just assume it was part of a normal outfit," one viewer said. "Should be fine, good luck!" "Without looking at the title, I just thought it was apart of the outfit," another added. "Don't sweat it." "She wouldn't have even noticed," a third viewer agreed. "And it looks very modest and professional to me!" Have you had a workplace dilemma? Let us know via life@ We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
NHK
a day ago
- Business
- NHK
'Art toys' a hit with China's Gen Z
Vacant stores are more noticeable in China as its economic blues persist. Generation Z, especially women, is snapping up cute, cheap versions of anime and manga figures for comfort.
