By now, I’m sure you have heard about the generation Z vs. millennial debate taking over certain platforms of social media, and especially TikTok. Though most of TikTok’s audience is made up by Generation Z, many millennials have jumped onto the app too and created somewhat of a culture war.
Millennials are defined as people born between 1981 and 1996, with Generation Z being those born from 1997 and after. (Dimock, 2019) However, I present to you: Zillennials.
I was born in 2000 and feel like I bounce back and forth between the stereotypes of Millennials and Gen Z. On the one hand, I was (and still am) a huge One Direction fan and definitely went through an “emo” Tumblr phase like most Millennials. On the other hand, I am also a Tik Tok addict and part my hair in the middle like Generation Z. However, I skipped the “eating Tide Pods” phase, and totally still own a couple pair of skinny jeans, but don’t really care about my Hogwarts house. If you can relate, you might be a Zillennial.
Here is what I have learned about the older Generation Z/ younger millennial group and why we feel so out of place.
1. We have middle parts and wouldn’t be caught dead using the laugh-crying emoji because we don’t want to accidentally be mistaken for a Millennial
2. We’re obsessed with Iced coffee, but we also know the political affiliation our favourite coffee shop. For example, Starbucks contributes to the Democratic Party and Dunkin’ Donuts contributes to the Republican Party (opensecrets.org), so do with that information what you will
3. We love and support slow fashion, black-owned businesses, Depop
4. We have *anxiety*
5. We can and will put My Chemical Romance and Five Seconds of Summer on the same Spotify Playlist
6. We remember Hank Green as our YouTube science teacher and not as a break-out TikTok star
Ultimately, the reason we are so obsessed with generational titles is because it feels nice to belong to a group and feel understood. It is human nature to want to be a part of something bigger, which is why I have felt security under the #zillennial page on Tiktok, and why you might too.