I was born in the year 2000, and I'm a little less than two years shy of being an adult. I narrowly missed the twentieth century by a margin of less than three months, and even those born just months before me seem to discount my childhood because, according to them, I'm not a true "90's baby." Sure, I wasn't immersed in the culture of the 1990's, but I did inherit some of it. I wasn't born glued to an iPhone or riding around on a hoverboard either, contrary to popular belief. I am a child of the time in between, and I'm here to set the record straight about us. We've been raised in a mixture of the "old" world and the "new." The following are not only my personal responses, but the responses of others who grew up just like me. We are more than you think we are, and these are our voices.

Q: Do you think that the society you grew up in is the same society kids are growing up in now?

"No, because I actually spent most of my childhood making memories outside and I didn't care what people thought of me or how many likes or views I got."

"No! We had nowhere near as much technology as kids do now! And that's not a bad thing; there are a lot of advancements in education, medicine and elsewhere. But, they are also more exposed to the negative things on the internet."

"No, I don't think it's the same at all. I grew up where playing outside and with my friends was the majority of my day. I wasn't surrounded by electronics- all my family had was a house phone and a TV. No cell phones or iPads to play on, it was either outside or dolls."

Q: Do you think that adults' standards for our generation are lower than they previously were before us?

"Yeah. I definitely think as social climates shift, parenting styles shift too. Whereas adults of previous generations had more lofty expectations of their children, in our generation, a less authoritarian style parenting was more popular that encouraged parents to let their children do what they want instead of what the parents would have in mind."

"I think adults expect less from this newer generation because the kids and people in general are focused on the less important things."

"Probably, because they think that we're on our phones 24/7 and that keeps us away from the world instead of more in touch with it."

Q: Do you think our generation has more potential than generations past?

"Yes and no, yes because there are more opportunities for people in our generation but no, because society has taught people that they don't have to work hard to get what they want."

"Maybe not more potential, but more opportunities!"

"Oh yes, for sure...but that potential isn't unleashed because we are discouraged by those who think that we only have time for our phones."

"Yes and no...the technology we have can help us a lot but can also hinder us if we have the 'what more do we need' idea."

Q: Have you seen a change in society since your early childhood (as far as style and ideas of perfection)?

"Yes. We've grown up too fast. My sister told me that she didn't even start wearing makeup until she turned 16, and nowadays some girls are wearing it from age 12 and up. I think we've all just wished away our childhood and that's sad."

"Yes, I miss my childhood. Nothing was as complicated. Now, it's all about social media, relationships and drama."

"Growing up as a child owning Barbie dolls, I remember that the ideal 'pretty' was blonde and skinny. Nowadays, all people want are curves and that's definitely a huge change."

"People are more quick to judge and be unaccepting of you if you aren't in on the latest trends, which has change from my childhood; even though there was judgement, it was so much easier to be yourself."

Do you think that society puts more pressure on children and teens now than past generations?

"Way less, in my opinion. The focus is less on victory and more on the experience (at least, that's what adults encourage children to believe). This serves to alleviate pressure somewhat."

"I think teens have always faced a lot of pressure, just because everyone wants to be the 'best' or 'prettiest'."

"Pressure is something everyone experiences and that's been around forever, but now that everyone is involved with social media the pressure is 10 times worse. It's not human nature to be yourself anymore, everyone wants to be like each other."

Q: As a whole, do you think our generation is underestimated?

"Yes, but every generation feels superior to concurrent generations, so it's no surprise there."

"Yes...we have so much talent, experience and love to offer."

"Yes and no, because we have potential but it depends on whether people actually do something with it and aren't lazy, and put their talents to work."

"Maybe, I feel like adults do always expect us to do something wrong."

"It depends, but yes, I do think we are underestimated by being told that we can't be something or that our dream is too big."

Q: Do you think there's anything we can do to change our reputation as a generation?

"I think that stigma faced from people will always be there and there's no point in trying to impress them; the focus should be on improving ourselves and the generations of the future."

"We can step up and stop worrying about what's happening on our phones and start worrying about what's right in front of us...making our priorities focused more towards school and family instead of thinking, 'Hmmm, maybe this picture will get 200 likes!'"

"I wish there was a way, but there isn't."

"Prove them wrong."

"I think if we all try and put our best foot forward, we can prove to adults that we're not a lost generation."

Q: If there's one thing that you'd really want the past generations to hear, what would it be?

"That we can take care of ourselves and that we are responsible. Maybe we didn't grow up just like you, but we still experienced growing up so they need to trust us and our abilities more."

"Try to broaden your horizons a bit."

"They just need to know that we have it hard, too. We have to deal with social media and bullying more than ever, and it's difficult. They need to know that we are trying our best to live in this messed up world with a happy smile on our face."

"Just because I've got a phone in my hand doesn't mean I'm talking to someone."

"That not all of us are caught up in being something that we're not."

"That we are trying our best. It's as simple as that...because that's all anyone can ever do."

"That society is different now, so stop judging us on the rules that they went or lived by."

Growing up, I always noticed a tacit judgment of our generation by others. I'm here to say that we are not a lost cause. We have tremendous respect for those who came before us and paved the way for our lives, and all we ask is that the understanding be reciprocated. Listen to our voices with open eyes, minds and hearts and know that we are aware of our world. We need your support now more than ever.