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Today, we're going to discuss the future and some guidelines that I've learned from some wise young individuals—teens, tweens, and even little kids.
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Like any good story about teenagers, this one begins at the mall. I hadn’t visited in a long time because I usually shop online. When my kids were really little, it was kind of nerve-wracking to go to the mall because they would beg, 'Please, can you get me this thing?' I'm the 'yes' parent, which often meant we ended up with a lot of plastic stuff in the house. So, I tried to avoid it. However, a couple of years ago, my oldest daughter turned 11. She had a simple dream: for me to take her and three of her friends to the mall for her birthday.
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I thought, 'Wow, this could earn me some parenting gold stars!' So I agreed to take them. It was quite the learning experience because they wanted some freedom. It felt like flying a kite; I had to let them out a little but also reel them back in. Throughout the day, I quietly shadowed them, and we eventually met back at the food court. Over our smoothies, the girls began doing something interesting.
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They were sharing pictures they had taken on their phones. One would say, 'Oh, I need to text this to my mom because I didn't have enough money for this, but I want to get this in the future.' Another would mention, 'This should go on our group Instagram account because it's okay for everyone to see.' They had a picture that needed to be sent to just a couple of friends because they didn’t want to make everyone else feel left out. This picture-sharing went on during our smoothies, through the ride home, and while unpacking their haul.
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As my daughter unpacked her haul, I stood in her room thinking, 'That was really interesting.' I asked her, 'Do you think I could talk to your friends a little about what just happened?' To which she replied, 'Mom, don’t study me because that's what I do.' I’m a design researcher, and a significant part of my work involves understanding how we interact with technology and the emotional, somewhat irrational relationship we have with it.
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I'm particularly interested in this generation because we often take them for granted. They are digital natives, they know what's going on—they'll figure it out. Yet, we're worried that they're on their devices too much and may be losing their humanity. So, I’ve mapped out our journey today after the model of a post-apocalyptic young adult fiction novel. In this narrative, we'll undergo trials and ultimately end in a triumphant place—a place where kids rule and grown-ups are trolls.
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Let’s talk a little about this generation. They account for 25% of the population in the U.S. aged 17 and under, which is larger than the Baby Boomers and might be larger than Millennials. Initially, it baffled me because I thought, 'Aren’t these kids the offspring of Gen X-ers, a smaller generation?' But when you look around, you’ll see—Millennials are having kids, Gen X-ers are having kids, and Baby Boomers are having kids. They are all merging into this one group we’re calling Gen Z.
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At this point, you might be wondering which generation you belong to. So, I have a little quiz for you! If you recognize yourself in the following descriptions, just shout out the number: Number one—if you mostly watched movies in theaters. Number two—if VHS was your go-to format. Number three—if DVDs were your thing. Number four—if you consumed media primarily on an iPad.
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Next, think about music. These choices might appear quite similar, but they reflect different experiences. How did you listen to music? Back in the day, we had physical formats like cassette tapes or CDs. Reflecting on generational visions of the future, we first envisioned a disembodied computer where things go horribly wrong, as seen in '2001: A Space Odyssey.' Then in 'Blade Runner,' humans and computers blended together, leading to catastrophic outcomes.
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In 'The Matrix,' we continued down that path of merging with computers, leading things to go terribly wrong. Finally, with 'The Hunger Games,' we saw a significant income disparity portrayed in a high-tech world, wherein the low-tech world intermingled with it, showcasing chaos. So if you identified with these earlier visions, you might recall those big cultural milestones associated with your generation. But Gen Z is characterized differently; perhaps, it’s due to their lived experiences through something akin to a post-apocalyptic young adult fiction novel.
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This generation is indeed different from their predecessors. They are already entrepreneurial and possess a strong desire to make a difference in the world. We have historically seen teenagers experimenting with entrepreneurship, but this urge has become particularly pronounced in Gen Z. Beyond this, friendships, family dynamics, and the perception of the world are transformed. You can observe a pattern forming here: technology plays a significant role in differentiating this generation.
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They're currently spending over 25% of their lives on screens. A large portion of them engages primarily via mobile devices. In the U.S., the statistics point to a screen-centric youth. We’ve tried various approaches to limit their screen time—like separating them from their phones, as seen in a University of Maryland study—where researchers found that kids exhibited significant anxiety when their phones were out of reach.
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In our diary study, we had participants share experiences, with many expressing their fear of being without their phones. There are dramatized portrayals of this dependency, which echo some of the concerns parents have—that if kids don't have their devices nearby, they might feel lost or disconnected.
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As much as we may assume that kids are mindlessly attached to their devices, we need to consider what this dependency signifies for the future of technology and what we can learn from it. To explore this, we must look at more extensive data sets combined with qualitative research—interviews, diaries, and observations—to gain insights. One profound takeaway has been that teens, tweens, and kids are amplifying certain trends at a higher volume and rapidly moving through them.
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We've identified five impactful areas of trends that might influence technology's future: community, communication, privacy, creativity, and interface design. Let's begin with community. We hope it's not like 'The Maze Runner' in its portrayal of isolation. Recently, many reports have emerged surrounding the idea that kids no longer have physical spaces to hang out—the reality is, they congregate online.
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Twitch came up repeatedly in our research. For those unfamiliar, Twitch allows someone to play video games while others watch and comment. Initially, I pondered how lazy this seemed; back in my day, we played our own games. However, it really revolves around the sense of community. Even the youngest of our generation have their own spaces—like Club Penguin, which, despite its recent shutdown, resembles its original form a decade later.
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Kids will endure anything to maintain their community and interaction with others. We believe that many of these penguins depicted aren’t even real kids; that's both compelling and worrisome. They are, undoubtedly, social media natives, engaging across various channels in efforts to carve out their identity and build a tribe.
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A lot has been discussed recently regarding 'dark social,' which may mean many things depending on your generational perspective. Perhaps you visualize it in a certain way based on your experiences, but it's not well understood. Such platforms enable anonymity and have become hotspots for various social behaviors we've seen in the past, reminiscent of the anonymous chat rooms of the late '90s. Kids are again exploring identity and, unfortunately, some engage in negative behaviors like bullying.
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They are navigating complex dynamics that may feel familiar to adults who use platforms to engage in conversations—a space like Twitter, for instance. Yet, while these kids may seem grown up in their online encounters, they still embody the curiosity of youth. The concept of community has become very micro; many children enjoy presenting different sides of themselves for their siblings, like little brothers or sisters. A surprising takeaway from our insights reveals that various parents appreciated gaining a more in-depth understanding of their kids during our research.
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It was interesting; their responses often highlighted a deeper connection with their kids than they previously recognized. When asked if they'd sacrifice all of their social media friends for a single real-life best friend, many expressed strong attachment to tangible relationships, indicating real life still holds value for them. So, what does this mean for future tech? We are observing a consistent shift in identities, roles, communities, and contexts.
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This ongoing transformation must be integrated into the design and development of experiences for this generation. Next, let’s turn our attention to communications. We know that texting is surging while verbal calls are declining; people text even within their own homes. I admit it’s guilty for me, too. Technology, like video chat, has provided a new platform from which families can connect.
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Currently, the voice interface has become exceptionally appealing. Research from 2014 revealed that 55% of teens engaged with their computers vocally for various activities—homework, searches, or even ordering pizza. Voice technology has indeed captivated this generation as they find it an engaging way to learn and use, especially since many are not yet fully proficient in reading or writing. Voice interaction is an accessible method to connect.
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However, email is not a favored medium for them yet—they’re still too young to immerse themselves in the work world. Real-time interaction is paramount to this cohort. They prefer immediate, present communication methodologies rather than delayed interactions. They are utilizing video chat, emojis, and images to create rich, complex communications.
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A recent concert revealed an intriguing contrast: while parents recorded the event on their phones, kids snapped each other, drew, joked, and conveyed creativity through immediate interactions. In this way, technology serves as a means to collectively experience something rather than merely as a tool for solitary activities. Oftentimes, they may not have much to communicate verbally; rather, they’re focused on maintaining a connection.
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We hear a lot about the purported inability to converse effectively among these younger generations, yet much of their dialogue is about sustaining bonds, perhaps conveying their feelings through images instead. Many kids spend time revisiting their pictures and past stories to reflect on their identities and communicate this anew. It’s amazing to witness how they find value in documenting their lives and expressing themselves through technology.
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Let's move on to privacy. You might be considering, 'What about kids and their views on privacy?' Interestingly, it's nuanced. They are early social media adopters, in part because they want to escape adult scrutiny. They don’t want teachers, parents, or any grown-ups involved in their business—that's consistent with traditional teenage behavior. They go to great lengths to maintain this barrier, employing various technologies to achieve it.
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Currently, certain devices like smartwatches face bans in schools. It’s uniquely clever how kids utilize technology—they've admitted to hiding less favorable activities. Data indicates a generation with a lower incidence of problematic behaviors like teen pregnancies and smoking, yet many resort to online platforms for connection. Ironically, I find this fascinating; as a Gen Xer, I understand the nuances of irony.
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These tech-savvy youth are developing innovative ways to hide their online behavior. They strive to appear less engaged online to avoid detection, employing privacy settings and going dark on social media accounts temporarily. Wouldn’t it be better if online privacy was the default? Such a design paradigm change could benefit everyone involved.
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Now, let's consider creativity. Many of us associate technology with productivity and efficiency, while sometimes viewing time spent online as pathological. We’re caught in a divide between two perspectives: the assumption that we should limit screen time and promote offline activities, contrasted with the reality that children fluidly navigate both realms without perceiving them as separate.
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Kids engage with physical and digital play simultaneously—using their iPads while playing with dolls, for example. They might experience boredom differently from us. Instead of the hopelessness we faced, often staring at ceilings in a haze of boredom, they have channels for expression that channel their creativity.
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Creativity manifests in unique ways for them; it’s significant that some derive joy from digital storytelling methods. For instance, apps like Flipagram encourage them to compile memories creatively. We all possess a storytelling inclination, and kids with more spare time can explore this aspect more freely. They embrace technology as a means to express and narrate their experiences.
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Thus, it’s essential that we provide opportunities for individuals to engage in contributions and participate in creative avenues unbound by rigid structures. And finally, let’s return to the evolution of interfaces. We often assume that these digital natives grasp everything intuitively. However, they are continually learning through collaboration, frequently demonstrating their prowess with technology in social settings.
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As I travel and observe people using devices, I find it striking how yoke of generational learning unfolds. Young children and teens utilize technology together; they exchange knowledge about apps and settings, creating a collective folklore about them. This mimics the way we sometimes form perceptions around how algorithms function in our social media experiences.
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However, as teens age and become adults, they may drift into solitary usage patterns, which can eventually lead to disengagement. Yet, in time, relationships can be rekindled as we see older generations engaging together with technology again, forming a type of companionship, overflowing discussion, shared laughter, and insights as they explore.
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While we often perceive them as experts, we must recognize they are actively learning to navigate technology and are not equipped with all the necessary skills. Their education typically encompasses basic IT skills but rarely breeds comprehensive technological competencies or designer sensitivities—these complexities often elude them.
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Moreover, attention spans are exceptionally short across all generations, and we may jokingly compare it to the attention span of a goldfish. Despite this, it is crucial to recognize that these kids are multitasking, engaging simultaneously with multiple screens—sometimes four or five at once. They might not fully understand the depth of information they should obtain, while distractions abound to moderate their focus.
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And yes, using devices in varied, often precarious circumstances has led to drops and accidents—for instance, a phone landing on someone’s head! They often utilize older devices and technology simply because they constantly drop them on hard surfaces or inadvertently cause malfunctions. Despite their nimbleness with devices, lack of understanding about cloud storage often creates complications.
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They often grapple with forgotten passwords while routinely using older computers or devices that cannot keep up with their usage. Thus, a takeaway for creating inclusive technology involves considering how to design for worst-case scenarios. By being accessible and providing quality experiences, we can support all users.
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Before concluding, I've compiled an emoji recap of the critical points we've made during this talk to ensure you retain the essence of our conversation. We’ve discussed how these themes connect to the broader context of technology and the evolving face of generational interactions.
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Despite focusing on the younger generation, it's vital to recognize that generational labels often emerge primarily as marketing categories. While cultural references may resonate, they effectively aim to position and market toward us. As designers and developers, we should push back against these trends, acknowledging shared values that transcend generations.
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In the end, perhaps we can all take a pledge collectively. If you are willing, I invite you to place your hand over your heart and repeat after me: 'I do solemnly swear to all the rockstars in this room, to my new best friend, Pamela, and to the future generations who inspire me, that I will assume nothing, and design responsibly.'
