Will the pre-crisis Generation Z become the sacrificed generation? It’s not clear. Although it is too early to predict the effects of the pandemic on the lives of the very young, it is already apparent that, in spite of the constraints imposed by life under the crisis, they are showing real resilience. Everywhere, they have started initiatives aimed at providing responses to the crisis, dealing with the emergency, fighting misinformation, and joining together in solidarity.
During this ordeal, social networks and the internet, the indisputable markers of this hyper-connected generation, have enabled these “digital children” to create links, make their voices heard, and to serve as sounding boards for their anger and frustrations. But it has also fuelled their creativity and commitment, in particular, for the protection of the environment and the fight against climate warming, which top their list of concerns, along with the fight against racial and sexist discrimination.
It is certainly too early to distinguish between changes brought about by the crisis, and the trends that were already underway. But by demanding a fairer and more environmentally respectful world, today’s youth already have one foot firmly planted in the world after the pandemic.
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