TikTok, as a social media platform, has generated a massive amount of interest throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Born in 2000, even I found myself unable to relate to TikTok’s initial hype with Gen Z, yet found myself caving into downloading the app as the UK announced a first lockdown. Since downloading, even I have found myself wondering ‘am I too old for this app?’ as I scroll through videos discovering most of its users are still in high school.
According to Pew Research Centre, Generation Z refers to those born 1997 onwards. The Millennial generation refer to those born between 1981-1996. TikTok has managed to engage users from both of these brackets.
What began as a joke on the app, with Gen Z finding commonplace in their cringe-worthy experiences with Millennials, turned into what’s been considered generational conflict. Phrases ‘adulting’ and ‘doggo’ and the question ‘what Harry Potter house would you be in?’ have become Millennial war crimes; side-parts and skinny jeans their uniform. On the other hand, Millennials have attacked Gen Z for their imitation of 90’s styles, their social-awkwardness and their sensitivity to political and social issues.
Why do millennials love to be like “Adulting😝”???? like yeah you’re pushing 30 I’d hope you’re adulting
— Joey (@SJoey79) November 17, 2020
Millennials, hitting back on TikTok with songs to display their refusal to be mocked by the younger generation, found that their attempt to ridicule Gen Z in fact became the centre of even more mockery. Their telling Gen Z just how clueless they are begs the question of why adults are even wasting their time insulting teenagers.
With comedic videos comparing ‘Gen Z vs Millennials in the office’ and ‘Gen Z vs Millennials after a break-up’, the two generations have never seemed more different. In reality, though, is this even an argument? When the world reunites, I doubt there will be a serious conversation between a 39-year-old and a 16-year-old over their personal style choices.
In fact, do young people not always cringe at their elders? With some Millennials aged 40, the generation can potentially be the same age as some of Gen Z’s parents, which explains the embarrassment Gen Z feel on Millennials’ behalf. Ultimately, the threshold for generational labels is just too wide. Falling under the category of Gen Z, I even felt too old to relate to young teenagers sometimes.
I also find myself interacting with Millennials more in the workplace. The idea of strictly belonging to a particular generation and being prepared to defend yourself against people on the Internet is counter-productive, and honestly foolish. It’s inevitable, and so normal, that people so different in age should have different style, humour, and opinions. We should be aware that this is an online joke and that adults and teenagers will live, as we always have, together in the same social environments in the real-world – without conversations about jeans and hairstyles.
Molly Hardwick
Featured image courtesy of Chad Madden via Unsplash. Image license can be found here. No changes were made to this image.