Gen Z: Masters of tech, but at what cost?

Gen Z, the generation born between the late 1990s and early 2010s, has grown up in a world dominated by technology. The very first true digital natives, they have been surrounded by smartphones, social media and the internet since infancy. And while this tech familiarity has made them incredibly proficient in navigating a digital world seamlessly, it has also introduced other challenges.

Typing skills: Fast … and less accurate

One of the clearest examples of Gen Z’s technological proficiency is its approach to typing. While older users might have been trained to focus on accuracy on a physical keyboard, Gen Z often types on touchscreens, where speed is key.

This generation has developed a unique typing style that is both fast and thumb-focused, a stark contrast to the traditional touch-typing skills of the older generations, according to a recent story in The Wall Street Journal. That’s no longer part of most curriculums: The percentage of students graduating from high school in the U.S. with a typing class on their transcript dropped from 44% in 2000 to 2.5% in the 2019.

This emphasis on speed over precision has its downsides. The reliance on thumb typing and autocorrect functions means that many Gen Zers simply don’t develop the same level of accuracy in their typing skills. This focus on speed could make it more challenging for them to adapt to situations that require detailed, error-free writing, particularly in professional settings where clear communication is critical.

A cybersecurity generation gap

Perhaps even more concerning, a recent survey by EY found that Gen Z and Millennial employees feel less equipped to identify and respond to cyber threats compared to their older colleagues.

Gen Z respondents were far more likely than older generations to admit to opening a suspicious link, according to the 2024 Human Risk in Cybersecurity Survey, and only 31% felt very confident identifying phishing attempts — significantly lower than the 40% of their cohort who responded similarly in the 2022 survey.

But Gen Zers also characterized themselves as more knowledgeable about cybersecurity in 2024 than they did in 2022. “This highlights a paradox: More knowledge has translated into greater fear,” according to the report. “Employees are processing the severity of the risks, but they’re not necessarily feeling more prepared — and, among the younger generations at the earlier stages of their careers, they worry that one false move could lead to repercussions.”

The good news, according to EY: Companies can create more opportunities to better equip younger workers to turn this knowledge into confidence by investing in upskilling and training that caters to their unique experience as true digital natives.

Overdependence on AI?

From automated grammar checks to artificial intelligence-driven research and virtual assistants, Gen Z is utilizing AI tools to enhance productivity. And while this reliance on AI can streamline tasks and increase efficiency, it may also create a gap in essential skills, such as problem solving, collaboration and communication.

A recent survey by TalentLMS showed that nearly half of Gen Z professionals say they rely more on AI for guidance on work than they do on their managers. Nearly as many say they prefer to ask AI about work-related questions rather than ask their colleagues or managers.

By depending on AI to perform tasks such as data analysis or decision making, Gen Z may not develop the necessary skills to solve problems on their own — or it could limit their creativity or innovation. And while respondents say digital and technical skills were most crucial in the AI era — more important that interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence — 63% said that AI integration in the workplace should be accompanied by soft skill training, which the report authors says “can be an antidote to disconnection and isolation of the digital age.”