How Do Gen Z & Millennials Use Social Media, Differently? (2024)

FAQs

How Do Gen Z & Millennials Use Social Media, Differently? ›

Social Media Usage Style

Generation Z vs Millennials: Key Takeaways

Members of Gen Z are more concerned about the cost of education (21% of respondents), compared to Millennials (13% of respondents). Millennials value stability (34%), while Gen Z puts more of an emphasis on finding their dream job (32%).

Excessive use has increased isolation, loneliness, fear of missing out (FOMO), and decreased subjective well-being and life satisfaction. Users at risk of social media addiction often describe feelings of depression and lower self-worth.

Although Gen Z visits TikTok the most, they rank Instagram among their favorite social media apps — as do Millennials. Instagram is also holding steady with older audiences.

And, as of 2024, our survey shows both generations are interested in better deals and cheaper alternatives to their usual purchases. However, millennials put their money into buying more products or services that will give them a positive experience, while Gen Z is more focused on savings and practical products.

Unlike the millennial generation, Generation Z tends to be extremely tolerant and inclusive. Unlike the millennial generation, Generation Z approaches adulthood planning to work for success. Unlike the millennial generation, Generation Z feels entitled to a great job after college graduation.

Gen Zers are known for working, shopping, dating, and making friends online; in Asia, Gen Zers spend six or more hours per day on their phones. Digital natives often turn to the internet when looking for any kind of information, including news and reviews prior to making a purchase.

Social Media Usage Style

Millennials are more likely than Gen Z to be following small business and big brands, while Gen Z is more likely to be consuming (and spreading) social media trends and viral content. 89% of Gen Z uses social media to discover new content related to their unique passions.

Highlights. We investigate Generation Z anxiety triggered by social media fatigue. Information overload leads to social media fatigue and 'FOMO' among Generation Z. The relationship between 'FOMO', 'phubbing' and anxiety is found significant and shows presence of partial mediation.

Social media has both positive and negative effects on Gen Z. On the positive side, social media can increase creativity and participation in various activities, and it serves as a digital communication channel and source of information. It also plays a role in maintaining existing relationships and meeting new people.

How does Gen Z consume media? ›

Gen Z are digital natives and they consume digital audio.

Almost everyone (95%) in the online Gen Z online population uses streaming video. Almost one-third (32%) watch live stream video games.

According to the latest available data, Facebook is the world's most popular and widely used social media platform.

As platforms hit their time spent ceilings, they will have to work even harder to keep users engaged and scrolling. But differences across age groups paint a more nuanced picture. For instance, adult Gen Z users spend significantly more time on social media—particularly TikTok—than older users.

The gist: Millennials were born between 1981 and 1996 while members of the Gen Z years Gen Z years were born between 1997 and 2012. Millennials expect faster customer service. Gen Z tends to be better at accepting delayed gratification than millennials.

Millennials were the first generation to feel the impact of access. Access caused Millennials to have different perspectives, expectations, and behaviors. Access changed how Millennials job search, learn, socialize, travel, communicate, build businesses, network, entertain themselves, sell, buy, and work.

Gen Z, born between the late 1990s and early 2010s, are the newcomers, known for their digital-savvy nature and the desire for meaningful work. Millennials, born between the early 1980s and mid-1990s, have already made a significant impact on the workforce, often characterized as tech-savvy and purpose-driven.

Millennials were the first generation to feel the impact of access. Access caused Millennials to have different perspectives, expectations, and behaviors. Access changed how Millennials job search, learn, socialize, travel, communicate, build businesses, network, entertain themselves, sell, buy, and work.

While millennials tend to value a healthy work−life balance, Gen Z tend to be more career-driven and financially motivated. So if your company's employees consist mostly of millennials and Gen Z, you would do well to focus on benefits that contribute to work−life balance and on monetary incentives.

Many of the theories online veer into the conspiratorial: One woman suggested that Gen Z looks older because the quality of food is getting worse, which results in faster wrinkles; another claimed that it's because food is getting better, and because millennials ate food with more preservatives in it than Gen Z, ...

The Similarities of Millennials and Gen Z-ers

Both groups, in part due to the reliance on technology for both work and play, have a very short attention span in comparison to those of older generations.