#TodaysKidsWillNeverKnow | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

#TodaysKidsWillNeverKnow

An exploration of how one hashtag has captured a generational divide

47

If you’ve been on social media lately, you may have noticed that a new hashtag has emerged: #TodaysKidsWillNeverKnow. It is being used to post about things and concepts that today’s children will never know about because they aren’t experiencing them. The hashtag is often paired with pictures ranging from older classroom technology…

…to life before DVDs..

…to handmade paper games.

Feeling a touch nostalgic right now? I sure am. The majority of these posts focus on things from the ‘80s and ‘90s that would have been featured in the childhoods of today’s adult population. They show what it was like to grow up before the advent of smartphones and tablets and social media. And while they give us some good laughs, they also reflect a new generation gap.

What exactly is a generation gap? It is technically defined as “the differences in outlook or opinion between generations.” It’s also the phrase thrown out to explain why your sweet nana thinks the rap music you listen to is trash and why you might think your dad’s haircut from the ‘80s was a total disaster. It describes all kinds of differences between generations, be they cultural, political, or otherwise.

“#TodaysKidsWillNeverKnow” illustrates the gap between Generation Y and Generation Z. Members of Generation Y are loosely defined as being those born in the ‘80s and early ‘90s, while Generation Z includes all those born in the later ‘90s and early to mid 2000s. The adults of Gen. Y grew up at the advent of internet and during its subsequent explosion in popularity, but did not grow up with any kind of “smart” technology (no touch screens, no iPhones, etc.). They also are likely to have memories of significant events of the early 2000s (e.g., the events of 9/11) and were born into a relatively more stable economy. By contrast, members of Gen. Z have grown up in the rapidly advancing world of smartphones and iPads, have little to no recollection of the beginning of the millennium, and grew up during the most recent recession and the war on terror.

These are the more strictly defined differences between the two generations. #TodaysKidsWillNeverKnow certainly picks up on them, but also picks up on a more nuanced difference. The adults who fondly remember the pictures associated with the hashtag are members of the last generation who were raised primarily on outdoor play, used books for research, and grew up without social media. The children who will never know anything about those pictures are the beginning of a generation who know how to press buttons on a smartphone before they know how to walk, who have a knack for understanding the ins and outs of technology, and have Snapchat and Instagram before they even enter adolescence.

That isn’t to say that technological advancement is a problem. Since the dawn of time, humanity has been progressing and moving forward. The problem is that we haven’t had enough time to figure out what kind of adults these differences in upbringing will produce. The oldest members of Gen. Z are barely adults, so we do not yet know how their technological skills and broader understanding of the world will contribute to ongoing progress. We don’t know what kinds of advantages and disadvantages they gained from living a childhood almost entirely submerged in technology. This uncertainty has led to a lot of fear, with everyone from Baby Boomers to Gen. Y fretting that members of Gen. Z lack social skills, empathy, and basic human compassion. Members of Gen. Z defend themselves by saying that their access to the whole world has given them a perspective and a global sensitivity entirely distincts from that of any other generation.

The hashtag “#TodaysKidsWillNeverKnow” encompasses this struggle, this difference between generations. It captures the last echoes of a world that wasn’t almost entirely dependent on technology and harkens back to an era that some would say was less complicated.

But the very existence of the hashtag is also a beacon of hope. This is not the first generation gap, nor will it be the last. It is one in a long line of divides between people born in different periods, albeit the first to be publicly displayed via social media. It is also a tool of comfort, being used to document technology and culture of decades past with the knowledge that they can never be forgotten. In short, this hashtag is both documenting our past and reflecting the direction of our future. So, with all that said, don’t be afraid. Gen. Z will make valuable contributions to the world, as everyone before them has, and leave their own indelible mark on humanity.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

3357
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less
Jenna Pizzi and her mom smiling by a waterfront with a historic ship in the background.
Jenna Pizzi

There is always a time in the semester when you have about three papers, four tests, five assignments and two projects due within the same time period. Isn't that just the best?

It's almost as if the professors all plot against you just to make college even more stressful than it already is. No matter how many people try to make you feel better, no one ever compares to your mom. Moms always know exactly what to say.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

7 Jobs Your Roommate Has

She's got your back with everything that college throws at you.

2543
Cristina Yang and Meredith Grey in scrubs sit against a wall, smiling and enjoying a break.

If you are anything like my roommate and I, you have a friendship with your roomie. You’re lucky to have gotten a roommate that is easy to get along with and more importantly cool to live with. Whether you found her on Facebook or went random, a roommate is a big part of life in college. This list goes through some of the jobs that a roommate has that help you get through college.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

35 Things I Wish I Learned In My Freshman Year Of College

Just some relatable college student advice! Yes, you aren’t the only one!

2000
Towson University
YouTube

Freshman year can either be the greatest year, or the roughest year. It depends on your transition and how you adjust. For me, freshman year in college was one of the best years of my life. However, looking back, there are a few things that I wish I learned.

Now that I am a sophomore, I can finally do things a little differently. Here are a few things that I wish I learned my freshman year of college!

Keep Reading...Show less
Woman in field with a red heart-shaped balloon under a colorful sky.

Being single can be great and awful at the same time. Yeah, it's awesome to have time to yourself to figure out who you are and make your own decisions. It would also be nice to have someone to go through life with, but it needs to be the right person. I haven't found that person yet and here's a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments