“Z世代”青年的意义世界构建困境及引导策略研究

This qualitative study explored how Generation Z university students constructed meanings of love and romantic relationships within contemporary social, cultural, and digital contexts. Guided by Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love and social constructionism, the study examined how intimacy, passion, and commitment were understood, negotiated, and enacted in everyday relational experiences. Using a narrative research design, data were gathered from 28 Gen-Z students aged 18–24 enrolled in different colleges and universities in Bulacan, Philippines, through a structured essay questionnaire. Participants’ written narratives were analyzed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s six-step framework, with deductive coding informed by the two guiding theories. Findings revealed that participants largely rejected idealized notions of love such as “love at first sight” and rigid destiny beliefs, instead framing love as a gradual, intentional, and experience-based process. Intimacy emerged as the most valued component of love, characterized by emotional safety, trust, and mutual understanding. Passion was acknowledged as an initial catalyst but was viewed as unstable if unaccompanied by intimacy and commitment. Commitment was frequently delayed or redefined, emphasizing everyday responsibility, effort, and ethical conduct rather than formal milestones alone. Participants’ constructions of love were strongly shaped by Filipino cultural values, religious beliefs, family expectations, and digital media narratives, reflecting love as a socially constructed and morally negotiated experience. Love was also perceived as developmentally consequential, capable of fostering personal growth when balanced, or emotional decline when boundaries and self-respect were compromised. Overall, the study demonstrated that Gen-Z students conceptualized love not as a fixed ideal but as a dynamic relational practice situated at the intersection of personal agency, cultural tradition, and digital realities.

Background: Since the mid-19th century, schooling has not merely transmitted skills; it has also functioned as a primary site of moral and metaphysical formation through what sociology of education terms cultural hegemony and the hidden curriculum. Problem: Although scholarship widely documents how schools tacitly shape dispositions, far fewer analyses map how apparently disconnected reforms (early institutionalization, secular “neutrality,” competency-based curricula, student-as-customer governance, and device-centered schooling) cohere into a durable pattern that predictably erodes virtue, thick identity, and transcendent meaning. Objectives: This article reconstructs an 1850–2025 timeline of educational reforms associated with elite steering of schooling, isolates the pedagogical instruments that privilege pleasure, self-sovereignty, and relativism over covenantal virtue, and evaluates how these instruments converge in Generation Z outcomes commonly described as hedonistic and nihilistic. Methods: Using a qualitative historical-comparative design and process-tracing, the study triangulates peer-reviewed research, institutional policy texts (notably UNESCO/OECD architectures), and programmatic writings explicitly linking educational unification to civilizational reorientation. Contested conspiratorial or esoteric texts are treated as discourse artifacts subject to critical scrutiny rather than self-authenticating proof. Key findings: Across reforms, thirteen interlocking instruments recur: universal early-childhood institutionalization; extended separation from home via boarding and extracurricular saturation; mobility and “global citizenship” curricula; knowledge-light competency regimes; edutainment and therapeutic schooling; customer governance via student evaluations and grade inflation; secularization and value-neutral framing; early sexualization; attention-fragmenting digitalization; anti-authority constructivism; credential inflation and debt discipline; and consumerist self-optimization. Implications: Whether interpreted as centralized orchestration or systemic convergence, the observed trajectory reliably relocates moral authority from transcendent truth toward peer norms, appetites, and administrative consensus, yielding conditions conducive to nihilistic meaning-vacuums that are then filled by consumption, desire, and perpetual novelty. 

This research is motivated by the emergence of the faithfluencer phenomenon as a new religious authority figure in the digital era that significantly shapes the religious mindset and practices of Generation Z. This change marks a shift from traditional religious authority to a more interactive and contextual, and media-based digital authority. The purpose of this study is to analyze the role of faithfluencers in shaping digital piety and redefining religious authority among Generation Z through social media. This study uses a qualitative approach with descriptive analysis through observation of content on Instagram and TikTok platforms, as well as interviews with active followers. The results show that faithfluencers function not only as conveyors of da'wah messages, but also as social and spiritual mediators who combine religious values with a popular communication style. The digital piety produced through this interaction tends to be reflective, participatory, and experiential, emphasizing personal meaning-making rather than rigid doctrinal transmission. The contribution of this research lies in developing the concept of digital religious authority that is adaptive to the spiritual needs of the younger generation and serves as a strategic reference for religious institutions in optimizing social media-based da'wah that is relevant to the dynamics of today's digital culture.

Amidst the hegemony of fast, instant, and algorithmic digital culture, an intriguing phenomenon has emerged among Generation Z: the revival of analog cameras. This study explores the social and symbolic meanings of analog cameras as a medium for identity construction and a form of resistance against the homogenization of digital visual culture. Grounded in Symbolic Interactionism, the research analyzes data from in-depth interviews with members of the analog photography community @huntingfullsenyum in Yogyakarta. Findings reveal that analog cameras transcend their technical function as photographic tools; they serve as symbols of uniqueness, authenticity, and emotional engagement in the creative process. Visual imperfections, such as grain and light leaks, are reinterpreted as aesthetic markers of honesty and rawness, contrasting with the curated perfection of digital imagery. Furthermore, analog cameras facilitate mindful resistance to instant culture, fostering self-reflection and collective social interactions that reinforce communal identity. Thus, Gen Z’s use of analog cameras represents a complex sociocultural practice embedding symbolic, emotional, and ideological dimensions in response to contemporary digital realities.

This study examines the lived experiences of Filipino Generation Z individuals who have assumed the role of family breadwinners. Guided by Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), this qualitative research seeks to uncover how these young adults make meaning of their experiences and how such roles shape their personal growth and evolving sense of identity. Findings revealed a four-phase journey: Commencement of the Role captures the sudden onset of responsibility due to parental separation, unemployment, or being the eldest child. The Weight of the Responsibility highlights the emotional, mental, and financial tolls of sustaining a household while managing self-sacrifice and pressure. Resilience and Growth uncover adaptive strategies and moments of meaning-making, as participants begin to find fulfillment in their roles. Finally, Reshaping of Self (Identity Formation) marks a developmental transition where participants embrace maturity, commit to their roles, and plan for a future that balances familial duty with personal ambition.

Interviews play a pivotal role in process tracing (PT) by allowing researchers to delve deep into the intricacies of agency, inter-agent interactions and relationships, and the processes underlying meaning and decision-making. These dimensions are essential for evaluating process theories connecting causes to outcomes in specific cases. Testing theoretical arguments via PT bears implications for how we conceive interviewing. We provide recommendations for scholars to design interview research aligned with PT best practices, focusing on sampling and the design of interview protocols, and being sensitive to differences between PT approaches. Aligning interviews with PT’s specific requirements strengthens the weight and inferential power of evidence. While the methodological foundations of PT and related data analysis techniques are well-documented in the literature, there is still a gap concerning data collection and generation. We aim to address this by encouraging process tracers to think systematically about their interviewing plans at the design stage.

ABSTRACT Drawing upon the Social Cure theoretical framework, this study explores the intricate relationship between social inclusion, meaning in life, and resilience among Generation Z during the Israel‐Hamas war. Notably, this cohort encounters heightened challenges in fostering close social relationships, resulting in a diminished sense of social inclusion. The study comprised 317 Israeli Generation Z adults who completed a structured online questionnaire. Results revealed a positive association between social inclusion and resilience, mediated by the presence of meaning in life. These findings underscore the importance of social inclusion in times of crisis in predominantly individualist contemporary Western societies.

This study aims to understand how female beauty standards are constructed through the TikTok account @dosenkecantikan, and how Generation Z interprets and responds to these standards. TikTok has become a dynamic platform where beauty ideals are formed, disseminated, and internalized.Using a qualitative approach, this research is based on in-depth interviews with members of Generation Z who actively consume beauty content on TikTok. The analysis focuses on patterns of internalization, self-comparison, and critical reflection on the promoted beauty standards. The results show that @dosenkecantik consistently displays idealistic beauty standards, which influence how viewers perceive themselves. Repeated exposure encourages internalization, although some viewers demonstrate awareness. This reflects the tension between the urge to conform to popular beauty standards and the desire to maintain personal uniqueness. This research confirms the role of social media in shaping beauty perceptions among Generation Z, as well as its contribution to the construction of social reality in the digital age

: This critical analysis explores the educational strategies needed to foster ethical decision-making, integrity, and social responsibility among Generation Z, a group shaped by rapid technological advances, global connectivity, and evolving cultural norms. Generation Z, generally defined as individuals born between 1997 and 2012 [1], is characterized by its immersion in a digital world and exposure to unique moral challenges that are different from those of previous generations. This study examines the role of educational institutions in providing this generation with ethical frameworks to respond to these challenges and become responsible and ethical individuals. The proliferation of technology and social media has brought new moral dilemmas, such as information manipulation, privacy ethics, and challenges related to online identity and harassment [2]. These issues put pressure on traditional moral frameworks and highlight the need for educational approaches to guide Generation Z in ethical decision-making. The study examines how educational systems can foster ethical decision-making by integrating pedagogical strategies that foster virtues such as honesty, responsibility, and empathy, which are increasingly important in an interconnected world where actions have far-reaching consequences. Experiential learning, as proposed by Kolb [3], is particularly effective in promoting ethical development. This approach emphasizes experiential and reflective learning, allowing students to engage in real-world scenarios involving ethical dilemmas, thereby promoting the practical application of moral principles. Experiential learning fosters a deeper understanding of the consequences of actions in different contexts [4]. Programs such as service learning and internships help students understand their role in society and cultivate a sense of responsibility toward others. Critical thinking is another essential teaching strategy. It enables individuals to evaluate arguments, recognize biases, and make informed decisions [5]. For Gen Z, critical thinking is essential for navigating modern moral questions, especially in digital spaces. The ability to critically evaluate information consumed through digital media enables students to make informed ethical choices and reduces vulnerability to misinformation or harmful content [6]. Values-based education plays an important role in shaping ethical development. This approach integrates moral values such as honesty, respect, and responsibility into the school curriculum [7]. It provides students with a solid foundation for thoughtful engagement with evolving ethical challenges. Values-based education helps students acquire ethical standards and integrate them into their daily lives [8]. Digital literacy, including technical and ethical dimensions, is essential in the 21st century

Against the backdrop of the deep integration of digital technology and youth subculture, AI tools such as DeepSeek have rapidly gained popularity among Generation Z, giving rise to a new cultural practice known as AI divination. This collective behavior reflects deeper cultural anxieties, as young people in the AI era constructed by algorithms are gradually losing their ability to engage with complex realities. How does AI divination reshape Generation Z's decision-making patterns? Does prolonged reliance on AI divination lead to a preference for simplistic attributions of complex realities, thereby eroding their capacity for deep thinking? Existing research has revealed the emotional motivations behind young people's online divination practices, but lacks in-depth exploration of how AI technology influences their decision-making. This study focuses on Gen Z's use of DeepSeek for AI divination, employing text analysis and in-depth interviews to investigate the mechanisms through which AI divination impacts young people's daily decision-making and the evolution of their cognitive patterns. The findings reveal that Generation Z's decision-making patterns exhibit a restructuring trend from deep thinking to algorithmic dependency. Through sustained interaction, young people's cognition undergoes a dynamic process of cognitive domestication. This study reveals the interactive relationship between technology and young people's cognition in the digital age, providing empirical evidence for understanding the digital transformation of Generation Z's subculture and the patterns of technology adoption.

People in their 20s are surely no strangers to the term Quarter Life Crisis, which becomes the most difficult period in life. This age usually has many opportunities and responsibilities to explore careers and personal lives. Sometimes a person can still choose what is more suitable for themselves, even if it means going against other choices. The doubts that arise at this age are varied, ranging from self-doubt, adaptation, skills, abilities, and much more that are inherent to a person, which is indeed no longer an easy matter. The multitude of inner turmoil will make someone dizzy, stressed, and even decide to choose not to choose anything at all. The purpose of this research is to determine whether there is a relationship between career decision-making and Quarter Life Crisis in Generation Z. This research uses a correlational quantitative approach. The subjects of this research are individuals from Generation Z, specifically those aged 18 to 21 years, who are currently enrolled in the Guidance and Counseling (BK) Department, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP), class of 2023, University of Borneo Tarakan (UBT). A total of 54 students. The data analysis technique used is the Pearson Product Moment correlation with the Jamovi version 2.3.28 software. The results of the Product Moment (Pearson) correlation test obtained a correlation coefficient (r) value of 0.318 with a significance value of 0.000 < 0.05, indicating a positive and significant relationship between career decision-making and Quarter Life Crisis. This means that the higher the level of emotional maturity of a person, the higher the Quarter Life Crisis they will experience, and vice versa. The relationship between the two variables is weak.

In an era dominated by personalized digital experiences, social media platforms play an increasingly influential role in shaping young adults' perceptions and decisions. With the use of algorithms that personalize social media feeds for individual users, concerns have arisen regarding the extent to which such personalization reinforces preexisting biases and influences user behavior, with a focus on how it influences biased decisions in a variety of contexts, including political opinions, lifestyle choices, and shopping habits. This study investigates the impact of personalized social media content on the decision-making of Romanian Generation Z users. The research analyzes how personalized feeds shape perceptions, preferences, and decisions by examining algorithmic bias in content curation and exposure to diverse viewpoints. Furthermore, the study examines digital literacy and critical thinking by exploring how aware Generation Z is of algorithmic personalization and its potential biases, providing information on its ability to engage with digital content critically. In this context, it is important to mention that throughout the article, we provide users' perspectives on how they perceive, feel, and think about the influence that the media has on their daily lives. Given the lack of research on the willingness of Generation Z to share information on social networks, we also addressed this issue. The data for this research were collected using a questionnaire conducted on a sample of Romanian university undergraduate students, all part of Generation Z. Based on the collected data, we present the results regarding the awareness of the participants about personalized content, their perceptions of bias, and the influence this has on their decision-making. The findings contribute to understanding the implications of algorithmic personalization for young adults in the Romanian context, highlighting the importance of critical social media literacy and promoting informed decision-making in the digital age.

No abstract available

ABSTRACT Efforts to support first-generation college students (FGCS) benefit from research on how these students make meaning of their identities and experiences. Drawing from in-depth interviews with 40 students, the present study explores student meaning making within a First-gen Forward Institution, recognized for its commitment to FGCS success. Findings reveal that participants interpreted their first-generation identities and experiences in a diverse range of ways. Specifically, students described being FGCS as a source of (1) pride and motivation, (2) constraints, (3) community, and (4) marginalization. Students linked these perceptions to their lived experiences in college. Implications for research and practice are explored.

Objectives The purpose of this study is to explore the changed lifestyle and meaning experienced by Generation Z college students in the COVID-19 situation. Methods A case study was conducted using in-depth interviews with eight students attending a two-year university in the Seoul metropolitan area who experienced remote classes due to COVID-19. In order to secure validity and reliability, not only did it go through discussions and deliberations among researchers, but it also conducted triangular verification and member check through in-depth interviews with researchers. Results The changes in the lives of Generation Z college students due to COVID-19 were categorized as first, daily life stopped in time, second, opportunities to spread deprived social relationships, online, a new but already familiar online learning method, and fifth, relaxed physical, mental, and economic stress. Regarding these experiences, research participants showed negative perceptions in part, but overall, they were found to have positive meanings. They reinterpreted previously recognized authority by looking at universities and professors who could not adapt quickly to rapidly changing non-face-to-face situations and perceived it as an opportunity to create their own lives autonomously and independently even in lethargic situations. In addition, it was recognized as an opportunity to reorganize one's social relationship and redefine one's perspective by reviewing the way of human relations and communication that one has had. Conclusions In the future, it is believed that it will provide an important basic understanding in seeking a new educational field in higher education or lifelong education for the early adult learners.

The present research examines to explore the psychological and emotional antecedents underlying over-the-top (OTT) binge-watching among Generation Z in the state of Maharashtra, India specifically considering enjoyment and loneliness as possible predictors. Situated in UGT, it investigates the process by which hedonic and compensatory needs influence sustained media use.Data was collected from 750 respondents of Generation Z in five urban cities, viz., Mumbai, Pune,Nagpur, Nashik and Aurangabad by using a structured questionnaire. PLS-SEM was used for testing of the hypothesized relationships. The results demonstrate that enjoyment (β = 0.450, p <.001) and loneliness (β = 0.320, p = 0.002) have significant positive effects on experience of binge-watching behaviour. In addition, enjoyment strongly moderates the connection between loneliness and binge-watching (β = 0.250, p = 0.001), meaning that people who have more experience of enjoyment tend to exhibit higher levels in continuous watching while they are lonely. The research highlights binge-watching’s split nature as a pleasure that can also serve as an escape from empty feelings. It offers imperative implications for content creators, marketers and mental health professionals working to comprehend the sophisticated media engagement behaviours of Gen Z. The future research,therefore, may extend it to cover more psychological and contextual constructs to better explain the shifting landscape in digital media consumption. Keywords: OTT Binge-watching, Enjoyment, Loneliness, Media Consumption, Generation Z, Media Consumption Behaviour

Introduction The main objective of the study is to better understand how knowledge about the natural process of aging and its implications, as well as the relationships with old people, shapes the perceptions of generation Z toward the meaning of old age. Methods The research methodology we used is partial least squares structural equation modeling in which we developed a model with five variables: thoughts about aging, feelings about aging, healthy habits, knowledge about aging and relationship with old people. Results The results revealed the direct and positive impact of both knowledge and relationships on the thoughts and beliefs of generation Z. Discussion The findings are useful for managers in the public sector responsible for shaping more efficient health strategies meant to normalize aging and prepare young individuals for healthy aging.

The existence of social media has shifted face-to-face communication to mediated communication, leading to the assumption that social media has successfully replaced face-to-face communication. As a result, Gen Z's social competence is low, they tend to be individualistic, socially isolated, and the quality of communication within the family decreases. This has the potential to conflict with kinship values in Indonesian culture. This condition emphasizes the importance of research that specifically examines the social competence of Generation Z in the context of social media use. This study uses a mixed method, namely combining descriptive qualitative and descriptive quantitative research methods. The qualitative method is used to discover and understand the meaning of Gen Z's social competence. The quantitative method is used to strengthen supporting data for qualitative data through data mining on social media. The data collection method is carried out using in-depth interviews with Gen Z in cyberspace, supported by data mining on social media. Gen Z actually excels in communication and socialization skills, friendship networks, and adaptation in virtual interactions. These findings indicate a shift in social competence patterns influenced by the use of social media and digital interactions. These differences indicate that Gen Z's social competence is multidimensional, with advantages in online interactions and social networks, but still needs to be strengthened in traditional interpersonal aspects that support empathy, self-control, and face-to-face social relationships. Keywords: Social media, Gen Z, digital, communication technology, social competence.

Purpose – This study explores the meaning of volunteerism for Generation Z Muslims who are active in social-religious organizations. The present study is noteworthy not only due to the dearth of extant research on the subject, but also in light of the observed decline in social cohesion, the rise of individualism, and the pernicious influence of the virtual world. Design/methodology/approach – A phenomenological approach was used to discover the deepest meaning for Generation Z Muslims at Madrasah Relawan Bengkulu (MRB). The spiral method was used to conduct repeated interviews with eight informants who were registered as active volunteers at MRB. Non-participatory observation and documentation were used as supplementary methods. The transcription, coding and thematic analysis procedures were carried out meticulously. The systematic writing of the research results followed the thematic analysis, with the discussion exploring only two novel aspects. Findings – This study found five themes in the meaning of volunteerism: social sensitivity (altruism), emotional satisfaction, organizational activism, charitable connectors, and da'wah motivation. Two unexpected findings that emerged were: 1) the role of volunteers as charity connectors, who link donors with beneficiary communities; and 2) the self-motivation to preach, which views volunteerism as part of practizing Islam. Research implications – Social-religious organizations need to design volunteer program that can develop social involvement and spiritual commitment, in order to maintain the sustainability of volunteer participation. Originality/value – The originality of this research lies in its emphasis on the dual role of Generation Z Muslim volunteers as agents of charity and Islamic preaching. Paper type - Research paper

This paper delves into the paradoxical digital lives of Generation Z—an age group characterized by its deep immersion in online ecosystems. While Gen Z has harnessed the internet to express individuality, forge virtual communities, and stay globally connected, this hyper-connected existence has also bred a sense of exhaustion, identity fragmentation, and psychological fatigue. The study critically examines how algorithm-driven content delivery, the pressures of online performativity, and the relentless pursuit of relevance on social media platforms contribute to an emerging crisis of social media burnout. Drawing upon interdisciplinary frameworks from media studies, psychology, and digital sociology, the paper explores themes such as content fatigue, the dissonance between real and virtual selves, and the constant recalibration of self-worth through likes, shares, and followers. The phenomenon of digital withdrawal—where users temporarily or permanently disengage from social media—serves as a coping mechanism, highlighting an urgent need to reevaluate our digital habits. Furthermore, the research emphasizes the importance of fostering digital literacy, mental health awareness, and platform accountability to build more sustainable and mindful online environments. As Gen Z navigates the delicate balance between digital empowerment and emotional well-being, this study sheds light on the evolving nature of identity, connection, and self-care in the digital age.

Globalization and the development of digital technology have changed the patterns of interaction and cultural expression among the younger generation, especially Generation Z (Gen Z). In Bali, this phenomenon has given rise to a major challenge in the form of a socio-cultural identity crisis, characterized by Gen Z's alienation from their local culture and a loss of value orientation, which can lead to a weakening of social cohesion and national identity. This study aims to identify the forms of socio-cultural identity crisis faced by Gen Z and formulate the reinvention of Balinese dance as a contextual mitigation strategy. The study uses qualitative methods with an ethnographic approach through observation, in-depth interviews, and document studies. The results of the study map three main sub-topics of identity crisis, including (1) a shift in values, in the form of a dominant pragmatic and consumptive orientation towards art; (2) a crisis of collective representation, when Balinese dance is no longer perceived as a medium of self-expression for Gen Z; and (3) the influence of digital lifestyle, which shifts the practice of learning and appreciating art to an instant virtual space. The object of this research is Widya Prakrti Dance. The research is expected to support arts education, strengthen cultural literacy, and expand the space for appreciating Balinese dance through digital media, creative learning platforms, and curricular and co-curricular activities for the younger generation who are oriented towards collaboration across contemporary local communities.

The transition period from adolescence to early adulthood is marked by a search for identity and life direction, which often triggers a quarter-life crisis among Gen Z students. This qualitative research with a case study approach explores how peer social support helps Gen Z students navigate the quarter-life crisis in the Social Youth Community. The findings reveal that students experience seven dimensions of the quarter-life crisis: difficulty in making decisions, loss of hope, negative self-perception, feeling stuck, restlessness, psychological stress, and excessive anxiety. Peer social support is manifested in three ways: affective assistance through empathetic listening, informative support through advice and guidance, and tangible help through physical presence and time commitment. The perceived benefits include feeling valued, emotional strength through care and affection, peace of mind that reduces restlessness, and an understanding of friendship networks that foster optimism. This research contributes to the development of a peer-based mentoring approach in higher education to effectively help Gen Z cope with the quarter-life crisis.

This research discusses how social media is drastically changing the face of identity and political involvement for Gen-Z in Bangladesh, drawing on different social theories. It focuses on the shift from dominant meta-narratives to the shift to personalized micro-narratives driven by digital platforms. Drawing on the theory of Francois Lyotard, reporting the decline of meta-narratives, and from Anthony Giddens' Structuration theory, the paper explores how such theoretical positions have accounted for the dynamics within the lives of young people residing in the digital age. Data collection was a mixed-methods process wherein questionnaires were distributed to 115 Bangladeshi university students over an online modality. As a result, from the analysis that social media in Bangladesh shapes individual identities while developing political engagement among the youth thereby contributing to the evolution of the socio-political environment. The study reveals that frequent social media use contributes significantly to individual identity formation and moderate political engagement among Bangladeshi youth.

This paper explores how Gen Z negotiates identity within highly digitalized environments shaped by social comparison, curated personas, and validation-driven behaviours. Drawing from Festinger’s Social Comparison Theory, Goffman’s dramaturgical model, and contemporary approaches to digital identity, the article argues that digital culture has intensified identity fragmentation among young people. Through close reading of contemporary literary and popular texts including True Beauty, Aesthetica, Followers, and Sympathy this paper demonstrates that curated personas function both as coping mechanisms and sources of psychological strain. The findings suggest that while digital platforms offer spaces for creativity and empowerment, the pursuit of constant validation and visibility complicates authentic identity formation. The study concludes that digital identity becomes healthy only when online personas remain aligned with offline experiences, rather than replacing them.

Abstract This study was conducted to explore the relationship between self compassion and social support and the quarter life crisis for Gen Z social media users. The application of correlational quantitative methods was used in this study involving 183 participants aged 20–27 years. Research data was obtained through distributing Likert scale-based questionnaires which included three main variables: self compassion, social support, and quarter life crisis. Research findings indicate a significant negative relationship between self compassion and social support and quarter life crisis. Self compassion encourages individuals to be more accepting of life's challenges, while social support provides a sense of emotional security and reduces psychological stress. The variables self compassion and social support simultaneously play an important role in supporting Generation Z in facing changes towards adulthood. Keywords: Generation Z; quarter life crisis; self compassion; social media; social support Abstrak Studi ini dilakukan untuk mengeksplorasi keterkaitan antara self compassion dan dukungan sosial dengan quarter life crisis bagi pengguna media sosial Gen Z. Penerapan metode kuantitatif korelasional digunakan dalam studi ini dengan melibatkan 183 partisipan berusia 20–27 tahun. Data penelitian diperoleh melalui penyebaran kuesioner berbasis skala Likert yang mencakup tiga variabel utama: self compassion, dukungan sosial, dan quarter life crisis. Temuan penelitian mengindikasikan hubungan negatif yang signifikan antara self compassion dan dukungan sosial dengan quarter life crisis. Self compassion mendorong individu untuk lebih menerima tantangan hidup, sementara dukungan sosial memberikan rasa aman emosional dan mengurangi stres psikologis. Variabel self compassion dan dukungan sosial secara bersamaan memegang peranan penting dalam mendukung Generasi Z menghadapi perubahan menuju kedewasaan. Kata kunci: dukungan sosial; Generasi Z; media sosial; quarter life crisis; self compassion

In the digital age, social media has become an essential platform for self-expression and cultural identity, particularly among Generation Z in China. This study explores how Chinese Gen Z individuals utilize cultural symbols in their social media profile pictures to convey their cultural identities. Through in-depth interviews with 48 participants aged 13 to 28, the research identifies a diverse range of cultural elements, including traditional motifs and modern pop culture symbols, that reflect their cultural heritage and contemporary influences. The findings reveal that profile pictures serve not only as personal representations but also as tools for social connection and cultural expression. Participants often blend traditional and modern elements, showcasing a dynamic understanding of their cultural identities shaped by globalization and digital interactions. This research contributes to the existing literature on social media and cultural identity by highlighting the significance of profile pictures in the identity construction process of Chinese Gen Z, emphasizing the interplay between cultural heritage and modernity in their self-presentation. The study concludes by suggesting avenues for future research on cultural identity in the context of rapidly evolving social media landscapes.

The phenomenon of socio-cultural shifts in Indonesia in the digital era has become increasingly complex, particularly as Generation Z emerges as the main actor in the use of technology while simultaneously inheriting traditional values. This study aims to deeply understand the subjective experiences of Gen Z in integrating traditional values—such as mutual cooperation, politeness, and kinship—with digital cultural practices characterized by speed, individuality, and global connectivity. Using a phenomenological approach, this research explores how Indonesian Gen Z negotiates its social identity amid the dialectic between the continuity of local values and digital innovation. The findings reveal that traditional values still hold significant influence, accounting for approximately 45% to 55% in shaping digital interaction patterns, particularly in aspects of communication ethics, online community solidarity, and the expression of cultural identity on social media. Although digital culture presents challenges such as global homogenization and tendencies toward individualism, Gen Z tends to engage in a process of hybridization, adapting digital technologies without completely abandoning traditional roots. Thus, the social identity of Indonesian Gen Z is not constructed dichotomously but through dynamic interactions that produce new communication patterns while opening space for the reinterpretation of local values in a global context. This study underscores the importance of balancing digital modernity and traditional heritage in shaping the identity of the younger generation and contributes conceptually to the understanding of Indonesia's national identity amid the intensifying currents of globalization.

In the era of globalization, Generation Z is faced with rapid social, cultural, and technological changes. This can have a significant impact on values and identity in daily life. However, the sophistication of technology does not always have a positive impact; there are also negative ef ects experienced by Generation Z, namely an identity crisis. Therefore, this research aims to understand the application of Pancasila values, particularly the second principle, in the daily lives of Generation Z in Indonesia and to evaluate the extent to which this application contributes to addressing the identity crisis in this generation. This research uses the literature review method, by reviewing and analyzing previously conducted research articles. The data collection technique used was through journal databases related to the targeted research topic. Research results show the importance of instilling Pancasila values through civic education, character education, and multicultural education to address the identity crisis in Generation Z, who are the future leaders that will realize Indonesia's goals and aspirations by instilling Pancasila values as the state ideology

The negotiation of identity among diaspora youth has received increasing scholarly attention; however, the intersection between artistic practices and identity construction within this group remains underexplored. This study addresses this gap by examining the ways in which Generation Z Ambonese migrants in Papua utilize artistic expression as a means of negotiating cultural identity. A phenomenological research design was employed to investigate the lived experiences of four young Ambonese artists engaged in music, dance, visual arts, and digital creativity. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and documentation of artworks, and subsequently analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). The analysis indicates that artistic practices function as mediating mechanisms that connect Ambonese cultural heritage with the socio-cultural environment of Papua. Music emerged as a universal medium facilitating interethnic dialogue, while digital art was identified as a prominent channel for creativity and cultural dissemination among Generation Z. Furthermore, artistic expression operated as a counter-narrative that contested and redefined negative stereotypes of migrant communities. The study contributes to migration and cultural communication scholarship by demonstrating the theoretical significance of art as a site for cultural negotiation, hybrid identity formation, and social inclusion. In practical terms, the findings suggest that the promotion of youth artistic initiatives may strengthen intercultural dialogue and enhance community cohesion in plural societies.

The development of digital technology has changed the landscape of public communication in Indonesia, primarily through social media, which has become the main arena for expressing identity and cross-cultural interaction. Generation Z, as a group that grew up in a digital ecosystem, faces challenges in navigating cultural identity, tolerance values, and social norms in a dynamic and diverse online space. This study aims to understand how Indonesian Generation Z negotiates cultural identity and tolerance practices through digital communication. The research uses an explanatory sequential mixed-method approach. The quantitative phase involves an online survey of 500 respondents from various regions in Indonesia to explore communication patterns, cultural openness, and attitudes towards tolerance. The qualitative phase consisted of semi-structured interviews with 20 selected participants to explore personal experiences, identity negotiation strategies, and the meaning of cross-cultural interactions. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify main themes. The results show that social media serves as a space for self-expression and a medium for negotiating cultural identity, where Generation Z combines local cultural symbols with global trends, creating a flexible, hybrid identity. Linguistic creativity through slang, code-switching, and innovative spelling is an important strategy for self-expression, building solidarity, and navigating digital social norms. Exposure to cross-cultural content increases tolerance, though interactions are often limited to similar communities due to platform algorithms. This study emphasises that critical digital literacy and cultural awareness are necessary to maximise the potential of social media as an inclusive means of strengthening social cohesion and intercultural harmony in Indonesia.

This study investigates the dynamic interplay between self-perception, interpersonal relationships, existential questions, and future aspirations during the phase of emerging adulthood, giving voice to young adults of Generation Z in Greece in 2024. This period is experienced as a liminal stage characterized by the ongoing search for balance, self-exploration, and the evolving sense of self within the context of close relationships. The study examines how participants perceive various existential concerns (meaning of life, time, faith, human experience) and how these shape their expectations and visions of a desirable future. Using a qualitative methodology, semi-structured interviews were conducted that incorporated multimodal and narrative tools, allowing participants to express themselves freely, even regarding emotions that are difficult to articulate verbally. Thematic analysis revealed recurring patterns marked by emotional intensity, doubt, and a search for stability. Anxiety, distress, worry, and a feeling of being “trapped” in a transitional identity emerged as central experiences. A notable element was the presence of self-awareness, while the quality of interpersonal relationships contributed to positive personal development. Existential questions triggered deeper reflection and ultimately guided participants in shaping their vision of an ideal future, articulated through drawings. These visual representations helped participants project their hopes, using imagination and symbolism, presenting hope as a counterbalance to uncertainty. The study provides an in-depth understanding of the psychosocial reality of Gen Z and enhances the literature on emerging adulthood by offering a comprehensive view of how identity, relationships, concerns, and dreams for the future intersect during this formative stage of life.

This study explores how Gen Z Indians navigate questions of identity, community, and culture on the global social media platform Reddit. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 15 Indian Redditors aged 18-25, we analyze their experiences through a theoretical framework that brings together key concepts from digital anthropology, postcolonial studies, and science and technology studies. Our findings reveal Reddit as a complex site of cultural negotiation where Indian youth construct hybrid identities, imagine communities beyond geographical boundaries, and grapple with the platform's affordances and limitations. However, we also highlight how these processes of meaning-making and community formation are deeply shaped by the enduring power asymmetries of coloniality and the digital divide in India. The dominance of English on the platform, the marginalization of Indian vernaculars and cultural referents, and the underrepresentation of lower-caste and working-class voices all point to the ways in which Reddit's promise of inclusivity and democratization remains unfulfilled for many Indian users. To make sense of these tensions and contradictions, we develop an analytical approach that foregrounds Indian Redditors' own cultural frameworks and meaning-making practices while also situating their experiences within larger structures of postcolonial power and inequality. This decolonial and pluriversal approach, we argue, is crucial for moving beyond one-size-fits-all models of digital sociality and attending to the irreducible diversity and specificity of Indian digital cultures. At the same time, we reflexively interrogate our own positionality as researchers and the limits of our inquiry, acknowledging the paradoxes of doing decolonial scholarship within a still largely Western-centric academic ecosystem. We thus offer our findings not as definitive conclusions but as an invitation to further conversation and critique, opening up new avenues for research and praxis at the intersections of Indian cultural politics, digital media, and decolonial theory. Ultimately, this study makes a case for the urgent need to decolonize our approaches to global social media platforms like Reddit and to center the lived experiences, cultural knowledges, and political aspirations of digital subjects at the margins. In doing so, we hope to contribute to a more expansive and pluriversal understanding of digital sociality – one that makes space for multiple ways of being and knowing online.

This study aims to explore Gen Z's perceptions of Islamic identity politics in Indonesia and its impact on their mindset and social life. This study uses a quantitative approach with a survey method of 62 respondents, the majority of whom are students. Data were collected through a Likert-based questionnaire designed to measure respondents' understanding and views on identity politics. The results showed that 43.5% of respondents considered Islamic identity politics to have the potential to divide society, while 51.6% of respondents considered the use of religious symbols in political campaigns to be quite effective. In addition, 77.5% of respondents acknowledged the major role of social media in shaping their views. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive and inferential statistical methods, which showed a significant relationship between identity politics and Generation Z's mindset and social life. This is manifested by the important role of a more inclusive approach in religious-based political policies in Indonesia. This finding is able to reflect how the younger generation is increasingly aware of complex social and political issues and shows their tendency to assess religious issues more rationally and openly. Therefore, this study provides an important contribution in understanding the dynamics of identity politics from the perspective of the younger generation who will be the main actors in the future of Indonesian democracy.

Among the mediums that can be used to express cultural identity is social media. The purpose of this study is to examine how Indonesian culture is presented and how to preserve it, and how to express Indonesian cultural identity on the Instagram social media platform. This research was conducted using a qualitative research method in the form of a critical discourse analysis method. Initial research data through interviews with generation Z Instagram users and secondary data in the form of literature and observations. The results showed that Instagram social media can be a means to express Indonesian cultural identity. However, there are still many Instagram users who are not wise in using social media. This can be seen from the many negative comments made by Instagram users. This is contrary to Indonesian culture which is famous for its politeness. Therefore, it requires mutual awareness to utilize social media wisely. Cultural content that is interesting and relevant to everyday life can be a concrete step in expressing Indonesian cultural identity in the digital era.

This study aims to determine how gen z in Kabupaten Maros uses a second Instagram account as a self-identity in a study of the cultural phenomenon of self-expression. Using a qualitative research method with descriptive analysis. A total of 5 informants interviewed came from gen z in Kabupaten Maros. The results of the study explain that informants have various reasons and goals in using Instagram, as well as how they distinguish between primary and secondary accounts. The majority of informants started using Instagram to stay connected with friends and get the latest information. Instagram functions as a platform for communicating and following social trends. This shows that Instagram is not just social media, but also a tool for building and maintaining social relationships in the digital era. The conclusion of the research results shows that the use of second Instagram accounts among gen Z in Kabupaten Maros functions as a tool to express themselves, maintain privacy, and build more intimate social relationships. This phenomenon reflects changes in the way gen Z builds self-identity and interacts in the digital era, where privacy and freedom of expression are very important. Social and cultural factors that encourage gen z in Kabupaten Maros to create and use second Instagram accounts are peers, freedom of expression, social media culture and the need to maintain privacy.

In the current study we seek to examine the difference between Generation Z and Generation X in terms of coping with a global crisis (COVID-19), specifically regarding resilience in times of crisis, personal values and attitudes during that time. Based on the theory of generations, we aimed to explore whether different generations have different levels of resilience, values and attitudes during the global crisis. Data were gathered in a cross-sectional study; 958 participants participated, divided into two age-groups: 508 participants of Generation Z (ages ranged between 18–24; 53.9% males [Age: M = 21.05, SD = 1.96]; 46.1% females [Age: M = 21.14, SD = 1.83]), and 205 participants of Generation X (ages ranged between 40–50; 54.2% males [Age: M = 45.16, SD = 3.15]; 45.8% females [Age: M = 45.23, SD = 3.01]). It was found that members of Generation Z (Gen Z) were less resilient. Also, Gen Z members had higher levels of openness to change, and self-enhancement as compared to Generation X (Gen X). In addition, Gen Z were found to be more positive in their attitudes toward flexible learning but no differences between the generations were found as for flexible work. Both generation members had the similar attitudes towards online consumption. Despite the magnitude and significance of the crisis, the main values of each generation remained unchanged in many respects, but attitudes of both generations are positive towards hybrid work and consumption.

This study addresses how religious affective content in digital media influences epistemic authority, social imaginaries, and religious beliefs. It draws on data from 64 in-depth interviews with Generation Y and Generation Z individuals with a higher-education background who identified as Christian, Muslim, or Hindu, conducted in Mumbai, India. While influencers are increasingly playing a significant role in the daily lives of the respondents, the impact of family on religious behavior appears to be more substantial than the epistemic sources on social media. In this context, accrued social capital can help individuals develop resilience or resistance to online disinformation, hate speech, and radicalization. Furthermore, while individuals exhibited animosity toward politicians and journalists, they also expressed nationalist attitudes, e.g., a shared Indian identity and common cultural capital, which may serve as ‘superglue’ for living peacefully in the current climate shaped by religious fundamentalist movements. In general, this field study contributes to the ongoing scholarly growth of the interdisciplinary focus of digital religion studies, and particularly on the impact of the social media domain on fundamentalist beliefs.

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This study examines the construction and contestation of Islamic identity among Millennials and Generation Z within the landscape of digital popular culture, specifically through the phenomena of hijabers, Muslim YouTubers, and modest fashion. The analysis employs a library research methodology, systematically reviewing scholarly literature to explore how religious values, aesthetics, and digital capitalism intersect in shaping contemporary Muslim identities. Findings reveal that social media functions as a crucial arena where piety is increasingly expressed through performative and aesthetic practices, leading to a dynamic negotiation between authenticity and commodification. The study concludes that Islamic identity in the digital age is fluid and hybrid, marked by a shift from traditional religious authority toward participatory, algorithmically mediated forms of religiosity. These transformations highlight the need to critically re-examine the relationships between religion, media, and popular culture in increasingly digitized Muslim societies.

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The purpose of this study is to explore the dualistic nature of music as a cultural artefact and a political instrument in promoting socio-political change in Kenya, with a particular focus on the 2024 Generation Z (Gen Z) led protest in Kenya. Anchored on Cultural Resistance Theory (CRT), the study thematically analysed data from 31 participants obtained through online interviews. The findings revealed how music—especially protest songs—has evolved into a tool for promoting systemic political change, building unity, and increasing awareness. It emphasised the importance of music in social movements, demonstrating its ability to shape national identity and political discourse while also articulating resistance. The study demonstrates how cultural resistance through music can inspire future generations to struggle for justice and equality, underlining music's long-standing role in political reform. Despite severe official repression, including police violence and wrongful detentions, the movement has won important gains, including the repeal of a contentious financial bill and the pledge to reduce unnecessary government spending. This study emphasises the importance of music in social movements, demonstrating its ability to shape national identity and political discourse while also articulating resistance. Further to this, music has developed into a potent instrument for opposing hegemonic systems, elevating dissident voices, and promoting international solidarity when paired with social media. The study recommends further research on whether the commercialisation of protest music has led to losing its intended role as a tool for fighting social inequality.

This study explores how Muslim digital natives perceive and construct the meaning of Shariah security in their engagement with blockchain-based financial platforms. Using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), data were gathered through in-depth interviews and digital artifacts from 20 participants actively using decentralized financial applications. Findings reveal that Shariah security is understood as a multidimensional construct integrating spiritual–moral assurance, ethical–procedural integrity, and technical–operational protection. Trust in blockchain emerged as a negotiated outcome shaped by religious identity, technological literacy, and community-mediated discourse. Participants’ engagement with blockchain was closely tied to processes of techno-religious identity construction, while social media functioned as a primary epistemic environment shaping perceptions of Shariah compliance. Emotional responses, such as reassurance, anxiety, and empowerment, further influenced security judgments. The study contributes a user-centered framework for understanding Shariah-oriented meaning-making in digital finance and offers implications for designing culturally aligned fintech ecosystems.

This article presents positions on the digitability of religion as they are lived and reasoned about by digital natives who claim to be religious, spiritual, and/or searching and curious in this regard. Data were collected through explorative participant observations and semistructured interviews with digital natives with transmigratory biography elements in Switzerland. Examples of the borders that interlocutors drew between digitable and nondigitable aspects of religion are also presented to provide an overview of the emic assumptions about the possibilities and limits of religious digitability in the field. The analysis revealed that digital natives tended to see almost all aspects of religion but not all aspects of the religious community experience as digitable, and sometimes value the nondigitability of certain nuances of community explicitly.

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This study examines the influence of social media engagement on cultural values among Iranian digital natives. A quantitative survey was conducted with 384 participants using a random online sampling method. The theoretical framework is based on Goffman’s dramaturgical model theory and Rogers’ diffusion theory. The findings reveal a significant negative correlation between the frequency of social media usage and adherence to cultural values, indicating that excessive use of social media may erode national cultural values and promote individualistic tendencies. Conversely, engagement with content that aligns with Iranian cultural values positively correlates with adherence to these values, underscoring the potential for social media to strengthen cultural values and preserve cultural heritage. This study highlights that social media engagement can have both positive and negative effects on cultural values, depending on the nature of the engagement. When used thoughtfully, social media can aid in the preservation and dissemination of cultural values. However, it also poses risks, including cyber vandalism and the degradation of cultural values. In conclusion, fostering media literacy for responsible digital citizenship is crucial for leveraging social media’s potential to preserve and promote cultural values. This approach can help create a healthier, culturally aware digital environment that protects cultural heritage.

Purpose: This study examined the influence of social media on the behavioural formation of digital natives in Lagos, Nigeria, with a specific focus on the accessibility and pattern of social media usage, the online experience, and the influence of social media on the behavioural formation of digital natives.   Design/Methodology/Approach: Using a stratified proportionate sample strategy, 450 social media users who grew up in the digital age across 10 local government areas in Lagos, Nigeria, provided the data for this quantitative study, where the heuristic model for the relationship was subjected to a string of tests using the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique.   Findings: Discovery revealed that social media has a favourable impact on the behavioural formation of digital natives, whereby digital natives’ nature moderates the structural relationship between social media and behavioural formation.   Original/Value: The study novelty appears on the side of Technological Determinism Theory postulated on social media as extremely popular among Nigerian digital natives and is one of the key contributors to the deterioration of digital natives’ behavioural formation in terms of morality, secretive information accessing, online insecurity, as well as the propagation of rumor and propaganda.   Practical implications: Because of the established dialectical connection between society and technology, widespread social media literacy is now possible, even among the humblest of households.

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This research aims to develop a conceptual framework to strengthen religious moderation through Christian Religious Education, specifically addressing the digital native generation and the challenges of digital extremism. Motivated by Generation Z's tendency to seek religious information through digital media-which increases their vulnerability to extremism and this study employs a descriptive qualitative method with a literature review approach. Data were collected from various relevant sources, analyzed through thematic categorization and descriptive interpretation, and validated using source triangulation to ensure reliability. The results identified four theoretical strategies: Digital Counter-Narrative Workshop, Interfaith Digital Dialogue, Digital Storytelling, and Faith-Based Digital Citizenship Certification. The novelty of this study lies in integrating the principles of religious moderation-rooted in Christian values such as love and Imago Dei-into a digital learning framework adapted to the characteristics of the digital native generation, thereby addressing gaps in previous research lacking a comprehensive approach. This research provides implications for the development of religious education concepts relevant to the digital age, reinforcing the role of PAK in shaping a solid and harmonious faith identity amid diversity, and preventing exposure to extremist content that could distort the religious understanding of young Christians

This study proposes the concept of “digital Gemeinschaft 2.0,” through examining Rich Ling’s employment of Ferdinand Tönnies’ Gesellschaft (market society) and Gemeinschaft (fellowship), when conceptualizing the “digital Gemeinschaft.” Drawing on 11 in-depth interviews with social media natives in Norway, it identifies three recurring themes, reflecting (1) a Gesellschaft attentiveness, (2) continued Gemeinschaft, with occasional public orientations, and (3) information gathering and learning without direct public partaking. This study emphasizes social media natives’ utilization of social media for maintaining social relationships through an active negotiation and construction of space. A continuous attentiveness to social space is connected to features of Gesellschaft in social media: the utilization of people’s data traces for economic purposes. The social media natives’ online activities are still tied to the market rationales of social media corporations, however, as platforms both facilitate and profit from their practices. The digital Gemeinschaft 2.0 concept hence highlights a continued tension between Gesellschaft and digital Gemeinschaft in social media as both medium and (social and public) space.

The construction of family ethos in the new era is a key approach to the inheritance of China’s fine traditional culture. From the perspective of cultural inheritance, this paper systematically explores the value implications of family ethos construction in the new era - as a micro carrier for the intergenerational continuation of cultural genes, an important fulcrum for the nourishment of social cultural ecology, and an original field for the formation of individual cultural personality; it analyzes its practical predicaments, including the intergenerational transmission fracture in families, the estrangement between families and schools in collaboration, and the insufficiency of social synergy; and it proposes practical paths such as awakening cultural memory in families, integrating curriculum practices in schools, building a collaborative mechanism in society, and digital empowerment through media, aiming to provide theoretical support and practical guidance for cultural inheritance and family ethos construction in the new era.

Against the background of the socialist core values leading the development of Chinese society, society as a whole has shown a vigorous and upward trend. At the same time, however, it has been noticed that there is a small group of young people whose way of thinking and acting expresses deviation from and resistance to the “mainstream”, and who are characterized as “non-mainstream”. This project studies this kind of youth non-mainstream group with strong spontaneity, fervor and impulsiveness, and examines the discourse space between “mainstream” and “non-mainstream” groups and the ideological differences behind them from the three dimensions of space, time and value. The study examines the discourse space between “mainstream” and “non-mainstream” groups, and the ideological differences behind them. Through analyzing the generation and operation process of discourse power in digital media, we systematically explore the internal mechanism of discourse power of non-mainstream groups, and provide a theoretical basis for the regulation of discourse power of non-mainstream groups in digital media environment. Then, through questionnaires, the current situation of non-mainstream behaviors of teenagers was investigated in the field from the dimensions of life and interaction. The research found that 94.97% of the adolescents believe that digital media play a relatively important role in influencing the spread of non-mainstream culture, and the Pearson coefficient of the two is 0.637, which is moderately correlated, indicating that the two are closely connected. The diversified types and nature of non-mainstream cultural forms determine that they have a double-edged effect on the mainstream ideology, however, the negative energy of the current non-mainstream groups is greater than the positive energy, which is worth to be criticized and improved.

This study examines the role of the family in shaping children’s cultural identity in the digital era, with a focus on communities in Ternate City. Amid rapid technological advancement and the pervasive influence of global culture through digital media, families face significant challenges in transmitting local cultural values to younger generations. The urgency of this issue lies in the growing threat of cultural homogenization and the potential erosion of local traditions if not actively preserved. Using a qualitative descriptive method, this study investigates how families act as digital cultural curators by integrating cultural literacy and digital literacy in everyday life. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation to capture the ways in which parents and elders instill cultural values while guiding children’s engagement with digital platforms. The findings indicate that families play a central role in constructing children’s cultural awareness through practices such as storytelling, participation in local traditions, and the supervised use of digital media. These strategies not only maintain the continuity of cultural heritage but also enhance children’s critical skills in navigating digital spaces. The novelty of this research lies in positioning the family as a key agent of cultural preservation in the digital landscape. By framing the family as digital cultural curators, this study contributes a conceptual model for strengthening children’s cultural identity amid the pressures of globalization and digital transformation.

The digital era has fundamentally transformed the paradigm of Islamic education, creating serious challenges for the preservation of local cultural identity in the madrasah education system. This study analyzes strategies for strengthening cultural identity as a form of resistance to digital hegemony in the construction of the madrasah curriculum. Using a qualitative design with a comparative case study approach at MAN 1 and MAN 2, Parepare, this study explores how madrasahs integrate local cultural values with the demands of educational digitization. Data were collected through in- depth interviews, participatory observation, and document analysis. The results show that madrasahs face structural challenges in including inconsistent curriculum changes, technological gaps across generations, and regulatory limitations that hinder the integration of local culture. Madrasahs respond to these challenges through strategies of spiritual habituation, the use of the Pancasila Student Profile Strengthening Program, the development of culture-based extracurricular activities, and the implementation of balanced technology control. The findings show that integrating local culture, such as the value of "Tabe," into Islamic Cultural History learning can strengthen students' identity while developing critical digital literacy. This study contributes to the development of an Islamic education model that is capable of preserving local wisdom in the era of digital globalization.

  This paper investigates the issue of identity construction in the emerging field of virtual clothing, using a set of digital artworks and a gaming community case study as research objects. Within the globally influential ACG (Animation, Comics, and Games) subculture, the digital “Avatar” has become the primary site for identity construction. Employing a mixed-methods approach that combines semiotic analysis, case studies, and exploratory metrics, this paper argues that virtual clothing, hairstyles, and aesthetic modifications are not mere representations but are practices imbued with performativity. The article uses a triangular theoretical framework composed of Roland Barthes's fashion semiotics, Judith Butler's theory of performativity, and Homi Bhabha's concept of the “Third Space” as its main structure, supplemented by theories such as the “Proteus effect”, the “extended self”, and posthumanist thought, to provide a multi-dimensional interpretation of digital identity construction. The core proposition of this paper is that the “digital skin”, as a “performative interface” and “wearable capital”, not only constructs fluid, networked identities but also embodies social and economic value that operates within specific platform ecosystems. Through the analysis of visual grammar, in-game unlock mechanisms, and community discourse, this paper aims to reveal that the study of digital self-presentation has become a critical new frontier in the field of costume and culture studies, elucidating how identity is shaped, negotiated, and capitalized upon in the increasingly prevalent virtual environments of the 21st century.

Since the 21st century, the process of globalization has been accelerating. Kenya has experienced all-round changes in politics, economy and culture in this wave. Consequently, the identity of Kenyan youth has become diversified and complex. This study analyzes two youthful protagonists in Ken Walibora's Swahili children's novel Ndoto ya Amerika (The American Dream), examining how ethnical politics, multilingualism, and mass media influence Kenyan youth identity from the perspective of global-local interactions. The study found that Kenyan youth are eager to integrate into modern globalized lifestyles, but it is difficult to get rid of the influence of local factors. This identity dilemma not only reflects their existential struggles between tradition and modernity, but also manifests their subjectivity in promoting social change and seeking their own positioning.

Generations shaped in the process of formation of an information/digital society have significant differences from previous generations, which were formed in the conditions of an industrial society at the level of values. The aim of this study is to identify specific differences in the perception of social, existential, and transcendental fears in Generation Z (also known as centennials, zoomers, etc., born in the late 1990s - early 2000s). Based on an information-communication approach, qualitative research (focus groups) of centennials - students of universities in the city of Ufa on the topic of fear perception was conducted. It was found that fear of the future information/digital society, shared by the older generations, is not characteristic of Generation Z. Development in a digital environment has fostered qualities such as pragmatism, network solidarity, network rootedness, and a positive attitude towards the digital future. Generation Z has shown a decrease in fear towards the development of digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and genetic engineering. At the same time, they are concerned about existential fears related to external forces, such as environmental pollution, global warming, and the risk of economic and political crises. In general, representatives of the digital society are optimistic, hoping that they can solve society's problems with the support of digital technologies. The identified change in the structure of fear perception has both academic and practical significance, allowing for the expansion and deepening of research in this area, as well as increasing the effectiveness of interaction with Generation Z.

Contemporary university students are navigating a period of profound societal transformation. While material abundance has been achieved, spiritual confusion, existential uncertainty, and emotional voids are increasingly consuming their youth. The path forward remains open to interpretation. From a historical and developmental perspective, traditional cultural education undoubtedly holds irreplaceable value and significance. This paper first examines four critical challenges confronting modern students’ growth, proposing that traditional cultural education serves as a solution to these developmental dilemmas. It then outlines a five-dimensional framework for integrating traditional culture into students’ growth education. Finally, it elaborates on six essential collaborative mechanisms required for the effective operation of this support system.

Recently, the Wuhan University false accusation incident has gone viral online, sparking a wave of social discussions and derivative works. This paper argues that the incident and its subsequent developments are not merely a public opinion crisis, but rather a concentrated manifestation of the inherent contradictions and dilemmas within the evolution of the information society. Drawing upon Lacanian-Žižekian psychoanalysis, Foucaultian and Byung-Chul Han’s theories of power, and Baudrillard’s critique of simulacra, this paper offers an in-depth analysis of the Wuhan University incident and the underlying mechanisms of the information society. It further proposes preliminary solutions to address the existential crisis stemming from the nihilistic state of the information age.

Abstract This article characterizes Argentine youth in relation to their beliefs and values. Religiosity, a key aspect of identity formation, gains particular relevance at this stage of life, as it offers frameworks of meaning that help young people interpret their place in the world, face existential dilemmas, and shape the values that guide their decisions and relationships. The study draws on a survey of 604 Argentine youth aged 18–29, complemented by insights gathered through focus groups. It forms part of a broader project led by the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome, in collaboration with the GAD3 agency, involving 4,889 young people from eight countries. The search for transcendence, the need to believe—even among those unaffiliated with any specific faith—and the centrality of personal and autonomous forms of spirituality stand out. These findings invite renewed approaches to youth and religiosity and offer guidance for pastoral initiatives attentive to contemporary ethical and value-based searches.

This article uses a generational lens and a quantitative design to examine the relationship between unfulfilled aspirations and perceived anomie in post-socialist Romania. Drawing on Durkheim’s and Merton’s classical theories of anomie, as well as contemporary frameworks on aspirational identity (Markus & Nurius, Appadurai, Currid-Halkett), the study explores how blocked aspirations influence social disintegration. Quantitative data (CATI survey, N=1100) show that low perceived opportunity and self-assessed underachievement are significant predictors of anomie. Generation Z reports the highest levels of aspirational tension and anomie, while older cohorts express disillusionment with institutions. Regression analysis confirms that aspirational indicators (ideal-achievement gap, perceived inequality of opportunity) account for 19% of the variance in anomie. These findings suggest that aspirational identity mediates the relationship between inequality, symbolic selfhood, and social integration in transitional societies. The study contributes by integrating identity and norm breakdown theories and offering empirical evidence from Eastern Europe.

This study examines the connection between values perceived as important by Generation Z and the values conveyed by the media contents chosen and consumed by young individuals. The article’s main objective is to identify the values that a sample of Italian university students, aged between 20 and 23, consider most significant. It explores their perceptions and expectations regarding contemporary society and the ethical trends therein. Furthermore, it investigates their preferred media and the values they believe these media platforms convey, trying to investigate the relationship between values and favorite media. Media and digital platforms, indeed, play an increasingly vital role in shaping and disseminating values. YouTubers, influencers, or, in a broader context, content on social media platforms (such as Instagram, TikTok, as well as entertainment platforms like Netflix) demonstrate how the new mediators of communication and the forms of media content favored by young individuals are, more evidently than ever, intertwined with the sharing of values, norms, and social expectations, much like family and school once were. One example that emerged from the research concerned the success of the “Bereal” platform, linked on the one hand to the desire to make public and share one’s self-image, and on the other hand to the need to show oneself as “authentic.” Through the conduct of five focus groups in December 2022 involving 60 university students from the University of Turin, this research reveals a substantial continuity in the values considered most important by young individuals (compared to previous national surveys). The article also demonstrates how the values conveyed by the media favored by young people do not always correspond to traditional ones and express needs that, at times, the new digital platforms and their protagonists manage to intercept.

Generation Z is a widely used term in both public and academic discourse, yet its definition remains ambiguous, particularly regarding the factors distinguishing it from its predecessor, Generation Y. Adopting a socio-technological perspective, this article proposes a clear generational boundary, those born after 1995, and introduces the concept of “mobile natives” to define Generation Z as a technologically distinct generation in relation to both its predecessor and successor. Unlike previous cohorts, the formative years of this generation were marked by early and continuous exposure, beginning in childhood, to mobile technologies, making the mobile phone the most influential technological experience shaping their identity. Drawing on statistical surveys and previous research, we demonstrate how this shift in the age of mobile adoption differentiates Generation Z from earlier cohorts in terms of socialization patterns, communication practices, and cultural orientations. By framing Generation Z as mobile natives, the article contributes a conceptual and empirically grounded framework for understanding the socio-technological identity of this generation. These findings have important implications for analyzing digital transformation, as well as for understanding the technological, familial, and social habits and traits that characterize this generation in an increasingly connected world.

Against the dual backdrop of digital transformation and social structural transformation, Generation Z youth are experiencing institutional delays in transitioning from the education system to the labor market, giving rise to the epoch-characteristic waithood phenomenon. This study integrates perspectives from communication and sociology to focus on how Generation Z youth in the waithood phase utilize new media platforms (such as Douyin and Xiaohongshu) for self-presentation and identity exploration. Waithood is a buffer period transitioning students into independent social roles, characterized by suspended identity and social pressure. Employing qualitative content analysis and case study methods, this research examines characteristic multimodal practices (including but not limited to slow living vlogs and daily life documentation) across these platforms from 2022 to 2025. The findings demonstrate how platform algorithms systematically curate information flows to simultaneously enable fragmented self-expression and sustain networked interactions, thus creating conditions for ongoing negotiations of identity construction and social positioning. The research enriches theories of digital self-presentation and community identity, deepens understanding of youth psychological support mechanisms and online cultural governance in digital media environments, and provides empirical support for related policy-making.

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No abstract available

The article presents results of the study of characteristics of the attitude of generation Z to state youth policy in modern Russia. Based on the analysis of various interpretations of generation Z, presented in domestic social science, it was concluded that it is possible to talk about its uniform characteristics only with a large degree of convention, taking into account the commonality of ubiquitous Internet communications that influence formation of the worldview and lifestyle of young people. The empirical basis of the article consists of materials from focus groups and online surveys of young people (2021 n = 519; 2022 n = 2021; 2023 n = 852) conducted by the faculty of Political Science Department, Saratov State University, under the leadership of the author. Based on these materials, it was proved that there are no uniform typological characteristics of modern Russian youth, which is heterogeneous and continues to differ not only in age and gender criteria, but also in ideological and sociocultural grounds, ideological preferences, place of residence, level of education and financial situation. In general, the study showed that, despite the presence of positive trends in the perception of state youth policy in modern Russia in the last two years (as well as other areas of state policy in various spheres of public life), the most important fact is that the share of opposition-minded among young people remains at a fairly high level (about a third of respondents). The greatest political motivation for opposition is inherent in young supporters of liberalism. Socio-economic motivation is more characteristic of supporters of “left” ideologies.

The actualization of the issues of the youth’s religiosity and of its scientific interpretation on the example of students, representatives of generation Z (centennials, Gen Z), determined the research questions of the article which aims at identifying centennials’ estimates of various religious phenomena and their interpretation of knowledge about it. The theoretical basis of the article are the ideas of social constructionism, which help to understand how young people take part in the creation of such a social construct as religion. The article summarizes the results of the sociological study of ideas about religion among students of the large regional university - Ufa State Petroleum Technical University (Republic of Bashkortostan). The sample consisted of students born after 1995, aged 18 to 26 (N = 1900); the author used the questionnaire with closed questions, narrative interviews and focus groups with the Eastern Regional Studies’ students. Based on the results of the survey, the author considers the youth’s ideas about religion, religious traditions and practices, their spread in the regional community, and the origins of religious sentiments and attitudes reproduced and constructed by the youth. The author notes the lack of unity in various aspects of the youth’s attitude towards religion, which indicates the blurring and eclecticism of religious ideas among the generation Z. Although students declare a wide variety of manifestations of religiosity, the relationship between religion and the existential understanding of the world is clear. Images of the sacred go beyond students’ religious worldview, which is due to the way knowledge about reality is constructed and to the individual need to sacralize knowledge. The comparative analysis of the construction of the image of the sacred by Muslim and Orthodox centennials showed some differences: Muslims are more religious; religious tradition seems to be transmitted from generation to generation mainly by the Muslim part of the Gen Z, and, on the contrary, is constructed by Orthodox students in the current social context. However, there is a general trend - religious identity of the believer is not strictly based on a certain tradition but is constructed with available knowledge and changes with new information, which is a typical feature of the generation Z.

Abstract The existing literature on empathic anger presents a variety of perspectives. While some scholars view it as a constructive expression of anger, others delineate it as a specific form of emotional empathy. On the other hand, the role of religion in society remains a topic of interest among researchers due to the beneficial impact it has on the emergence of prosocial behaviors. These findings suggest that religion plays a significant part in maintaining social order and cohesion. Nevertheless, only a limited number of studies have addressed empathic anger within the context of religion. In light of the aforementioned considerations, the first part of the study aims to ascertain the degree of empathic anger, religious attitude, and level of religious involvement among Generation Z students. The second part of the study examines the influence of religious components on the manifestation of empathic anger in respondents. The results indicated that although empathic anger is only correlated with religious behavior, religious attitudes also exert some influence on the manner in which students relate to injustice.

The research selected responses from Generation Z users on a Chinese question-and-answer website Zhihu, regarding the question ‘My younger brother wants to quit high school to pursue a career as an esports player, should I support him?’ as the primary research data. Utilizing the Social Cognitive Career Theory, the study delved into Generation Z's perspectives on abandoning academic pursuits to become professional esports players, from the aspects of self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and personal goals as a reflection of Generation Z's career outlook. Generation Z generally finds esports players extremely attractive, but fierce competition, uncertainty about career prospects, and pressure from societal perceptions and family expectations form a challenging career choice. Most Generation Z believe minors should remain rational, but a few Generation Z still think it's okay to give it a try. The study found that Generation Z's view of careers is a combination of romanticism and pragmatism; they cannot completely escape from considerations of career stability and social expectations, but they also value the pursuit of personal interests and the fulfilment of their passions. This duality reflects the inherent contradictions and struggles of Generation Z when confronted with traditional career concepts and modern values. This contradiction is particularly prominent in an emerging and uncertain field such as esports. This study provides profound insights into the underlying motivations of Generation Z's career choices and offers valuable implications for the evolution of societal norms and reforms in employment systems in the future.

With much academic attention to experiential learning in on-site tourism experiences, the benefits of Zen meditation tourism on Generation Z after their re-entry into daily secular life remains largely unexplored. Drawing on experiential learning theory, this study explores the benefits experienced by participants after Zen meditation tourism in three stages including reflection, learning results, and active experimentation. Employing phenomenology-based ethnography, six consecutive rounds of online face-to-face interviews were conducted with 12 informants who were continuously traced after attending a Zen camp. The study findings revealed long-term positive benefits in three aspects of this generational cohort. First, Zen practices tend to be fading yet abiding after the Zen camp which continues sporadically into daily life. Second, socialisation is continuously progressive; but self-growth is complicated and unstable. Theoretical and practical implications of these novel findings are discussed.

The paper focuses on the issues of intercultural interaction in terms of the generational perception of various styles of musical and visual culture. Contrary to established opinion, Generation Z perceives various genres of art not through the prism of the determination of the youth subculture but as a cultural information array in general. The opposition of supporters of various musical and visual genres and styles of fine art is not typical for a significant part of Generation Z, which is associated with the features of the generation “living” in the digital environment and the specifics of the present stage of the information or digital society. The study involved students (aged 18–24) of the technical and humanitarian fields of training. The survey revealed that metamodern values were common among the younger generation. About half of the respondents identified themselves as citizens of the country, about a third referred to themselves as representatives of ethnicity or religion. As for cultural preferences, the majority showed a positive attitude towards various styles both in classical and modern musical and visual arts. Approximately equal shares of respondents regarded classical and modern art styles as their favorite styles. At the same time, the representatives of Generation Z involved in the survey did not have an opposition between supporters of various styles.

Students of the 21st century face more stresses and pressures than previous generations. Gen Z students are born to a highly globalized, technologically-driven, and social media dependent world. This has led to increased rates of mental health issues and negative impacts to self-esteem. This study uses a literature review to identify patterns and trends that emerge from social comparison processes. By understanding how social comparisons impact students’ self-evaluation and overall well-being, policymakers, educators, and schools can be in a better position to introduce new strategies and procedures that seek to support the psychological well-being of their students.

This paper explores the social and psychological impact of relationship slang used by Generation Z, examining how terms like “situationship,” “ghosting,” and “breadcrumbing” are changing the way young people approach romance. These slang terms reflect more fluid and less committed relationship structures, allowing for easier emotional regulation, boundary-setting, and detachment in a culture where direct and instant communication is highly valued. The paper looks at the psychological effects of these terms, suggesting they help people navigate complex emotions without the need for formal confrontation, often as a response to the pressures of modern digital dating. Additionally, the study considers the broader cultural impact of this shift in language, showing how these terms mirror generational attitudes toward romance, commitment, and personal expression. The integration of these terms into pop culture and media has helped solidify their place in modern conversations about relationships. Drawing on sociological and psychological theories, the paper explores whether these changes in language are temporary trends or part of a larger, more permanent shift in romantic norms. Finally, the paper highlights areas for future research, particularly in examining how Gen Z’s relationship slang may evolve as they enter longer-term relationships, marriage, or parenthood.

The July 2024 Gen Z national protests in Kenya against the Finance Bill 2024/25, ushered in a new digital era and discourse on social media community. Striking was the new feature of shaping public opinion in the developing world, perennially locked in a geographic prison of ideas. The Gen Z protest organization and conduct of dissent strategy that included medical, legal and socio-psychological support for participants, made history of the first modern-time developing society within the Global South hemisphere. This paper examines the new phenomenon looking at the changing times in democratic governance spaces in the developing world enabled by the new digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence capabilities. The postcolonial societies in Africa for over two generations, and 60 years of independence have witnessed massive failures in public policy that is crashing to a halt in the 21st Century. The Gen Z of Kenya, identifying themselves during the protest campaigns as, “Leaderless, tribeless and partyless” births a new resistance movement against generational imposed ethnic politics in Kenya with the potential to proliferate across Sub-Sahara Africa. The study makes profound findings linked to the colonial legacies of foreign control, dependence, manipulations, exploitation and marginalization. The paper recommends changes to political, economic, education, cultural and foreign policies in Kenya to address the contemporary challenges facing the dystopic postcolonial society in Africa for renewed re-orientation and societal growth and development.

Generation Z (born ≈1997–2012) faces a complex set of interrelated challenges as they transition into adulthood, shaped by digital hyperconnectivity, economic uncertainty, and global environmental threats. This review synthesizes contemporary empirical and review literature (2019–2025) on major problems confronting Gen-Z, focusing on mental health and emotional wellbeing, digital life and smartphone/social media impacts, educational transitions, employment insecurity including automation risks, and climate related anxiety and civic engagement. Evidence indicates elevated self-reported rates of psychological distress among Gen-Z compared with prior cohorts, with social media use and information overload functioning both as stressors and as routes for help-seeking (McKinsey, 2023). Climate anxiety is prevalent and linked to perceptions of inadequate institutional responses (Hickman et al., 2021). Digital addiction and excessive smartphone use are associated with poorer sleep, attention, and emotional regulation in youth samples (Mason, 2022; Shiferaw et al., 2025). The review highlights methodological heterogeneity, gaps in longitudinal data, and the need for culturally diverse samples. Recommendations include targeted mental health interventions that integrate digital literacy, curricular redesign responsive to Gen-Z learning preferences, and policy measures addressing economic precarity and climate mitigation.

The phenomenon of religious hijrah (spiritual migration) among Generation Z (Gen Z) has emerged as a noteworthy social trend in recent years. This study aims to explore the religious tendencies of Gen Z through a phenomenological approach, focusing on two prominent currents of Islamic preaching: Sufism and Salafism. Employing a qualitative method, in-depth interviews were conducted with selected Gen Z individuals actively engaged in Sufi- and Salafi-oriented preaching communities. The findings reveal that their choice of religious orientation is not solely influenced by theological aspects, but also shaped by social, psychological, and personal spiritual factors. Sufism tends to appeal to those seeking inner peace and spiritual experience, while Salafism attracts individuals who yearn for religious certainty and a firm Islamic identity. These results reflect the complex and diverse nature of Gen Z’s religiosity, emphasizing the need for contextual and humanistic preaching strategies. This study hopes to contribute to a deeper understanding of young Muslims' religious patterns and the development of more relevant da'wah approaches in the digital age.

Generation Z (Gen Z) refers to individuals born between 1997 and 2012. Mental health refers to the emotional, psychological, and social conditions that affect how individuals think, feel, and behave. This generation tends to be independent, creative, unique characteristic and highly socially aware. However, they are also vulnerable to social and mental pressures due to the complex demands of life, which causes Generation Z to face specific challenges affecting their mental health. This scoping review discusses the factors influencing the mental health of Gen Z in the digital era. Articles were searched using databases including ScienceDirect, PubMed, Google Scholar, and ProQuest, focusing on publications from 2021 to 2025. The authors selected and analyzed articles using the PRISMA framework based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The search across several electronic databases revealed 538 research articles. After screening, a total of 15 articles were analyzed. The results identified factors influencing the mental health of Gen Z, such as social support (emotional, instrumental, informational, and friendship support), family environment, work-related stress, personal issues, exposure to negative content on social media (including cyberbullying, fake news, and body shaming), online gaming, technology use, and coping mechanisms. Gaining insight into the factors influencing the mental health of Gen Z can help in preventing mental and emotional disorders and support the promotion of overall well-being.

This study examines representations of work culture, hustle ideology, and burnout in contemporary Indonesian fiction featuring millennial and Gen-Z protagonists. Employing qualitative literary analysis, the research analyzes 26 texts published between 2015-2024 through close reading and thematic coding frameworks. Findings reveal that 85% of texts explicitly engage with hustle culture, with 60% adopting critical narrative positions that expose contradictions between entrepreneurial promises and lived precarity. Burnout appears consistently across 92% of the corpus, depicted through sophisticated narrative techniques including fragmented syntax, non-linear chronology, and body metaphors that formally enact psychological suffering. The analysis demonstrates burnout as structural condition produced by toxic organizational systems, with 83% of fictional workplaces violating work-life boundaries and 67% exhibiting low psychological safety. Gendered patterns emerge significantly, with 80% of female protagonists experiencing burnout compounded by emotional labor expectations while 73% of male protagonists face provider pressures. Generational analysis reveals millennials express disillusionment from broken meritocratic promises while Gen-Z demonstrates baseline cynicism, though comparable burnout rates indicate structural conditions overwhelm individual attitudes. Individual resistance strategies appear in 54% of texts while collective organizing remains rare at 12%, suggesting literary reinforcement of neoliberal individualization. The research affirms literature's epistemic value for accessing subjective dimensions of work-related suffering while documenting cultural contestation around labor ideologies, contributing theoretical frameworks for analyzing Southeast Asian workplace fiction and practical evidence supporting policy interventions for labor protection, organizational transformation, and mental health support infrastructure.

This research aims to find out whether there is a relationship between Self Esteem and Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) in Gen Z in East Java. Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) is an individual's feeling when they feel afraid and worried about being left behind. FoMO is a very close relationship with psychological health and well-being. The FoMO phenomenon can affect anyone, especially Gen Z where this age is the age of searching for identity and all their activities are directly connected to social media. This study uses a descriptive and inferential quantitative approach with a simple regression analysis method. The subjects of this study were Gen Z in East Java aged 18-27 years who use social media with a sample of 120 people. Data were collected through an online survey via Google Forms that measured Self Esteem and Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) and distributed through social media. Data were analyzed using classical assumption tests and hypothesis tests in the form of simple regression analysis. the results of the study showed that there was a very significant influence between Self Esteem and Fear of Missing Out in Gen Z. This is indicated by the regression coefficient value of 459,000, which indicates that the higher the Self Esteem, the lower the FoMO so that Gen Z in East Java feels valuable and confident. this study still has shortcomings such as subjects that are not balanced between genders, not focusing on one social media, and research subjects that are still limited, therefore it is hoped that further research can improve the findings.  

Doomscrolling, defined as the excessive consumption of negative information on social media, has become one of the factors that worsen mental health among Generation Z. This study aims to examine the effect of doomscrolling on the mental health of Gen Z in Karawang. A quantitative method with a causal design was applied, involving 384 respondents aged 13–28 years selected through snowball sampling. The instruments used were the Doomscrolling Scale and the Mental Health Inventory (MHI-38), both of which had been tested for validity and reliability. Data analysis was conducted using simple linear regression. The findings revealed that doomscrolling had a significant effect on mental health, with a regression coefficient of -0.748 (p < 0.001) and a contribution of 75.7%. This indicates that higher levels of doomscrolling are associated with lower levels of mental health among respondents. These results highlight the urgency of promoting digital literacy, emotional regulation, and psychological interventions to help Generation Z manage social media use more wisely and maintain psychological well-being.

This study explores the psychological and emotional challenges faced by Generation Z in the digital era. The investigation focuses on four critical issues affecting their well-being: digital overload, academic and career pressure, global uncertainty, and isolation and loneliness. The increasing use of technology has led to an increase in screen time and digital engagement, resulting in cognitive fatigue and emotional exhaustion. Academic expectations and a highly competitive job market contribute to stress and burnout. Economic instability, climate change, and political unrest further intensify anxiety and uncertainty about the future. Despite being the most digitally connected generation, many Generation Z individuals experience social isolation, as online interactions often fail to provide meaningful emotional support. This study identifies key patterns and interconnections among these challenges. Findings suggest that excessive digital consumption negatively impacts mental health, while societal pressures exacerbate stress levels.  

This study aims to analyze the impact of digitalization on lifestyle, mental health, and social interaction among Generation Z and Generation Alpha in Bekasi City. Utilizing a quantitative approach with a survey method, data were collected from students and university students using a structured Likert scale questionnaire. The analysis was conducted using Partial Least Squares-based Structural Equation Modeling (SEM-PLS) to examine the relationships between latent variables. The results indicate that digitalization significantly influences lifestyle, mental well-being, and social interaction. It shapes daily habits that are increasingly connected to digital technology, influencing consumption patterns and activity management among the youth. However, excessive use of digital media also contributes to psychological strain and a decline in the quality of face-to-face social relationships. These findings suggest that Generation Z and Alpha live in a highly digitalized environment, necessitating guidance, digital literacy education, and supportive social policies to maintain a balance between technology usage and the psychological and social well-being of young people

This study explores the entrepreneurial experiences of Muslim Generation Z entrepreneurs in Palopo City, Indonesia, with particular attention to how Islamic financial literacy, self-efficacy, and Islamic business ethics are understood and practiced within digitally mediated business environments. Grounded in the socio-religious and cultural context of Indonesian Islam, the research adopts a qualitative phenomenological approach to examine how young Muslim entrepreneurs construct meaning, internalize moral values, and sustain their businesses in everyday economic practices. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with fifteen purposively selected participants and analysed using Colaizzi’s phenomenological method. The findings reveal four interrelated themes. First, Islamic financial literacy is experienced as practical-moral awareness, reflected in transparent pricing, separation of personal and business finances, and avoidance of ambiguous transactions. Second, self-efficacy emerges as psychological-spiritual capital shaped by mastery experiences, social support, and Islamic concepts such as ikhtiyār (effort) and tawakkal (trust in God). Third, Islamic business ethics operate as an internalized moral habitus reinforced by Bugis-Luwu cultural values, including lempu’, siri’, and amānah. Fourth, business sustainability is achieved through the integration of Islamic identity, local culture, and digital practices, forming a distinctive model of ethical digital entrepreneurship. Conceptually, this study contributes a phenomenological perspective that highlights the ethical, cultural, and spiritual dimensions of Muslim Gen-Z entrepreneurship, while offering practical implications for context-sensitive entrepreneurship development programs in Indonesia.

This study explores how Generation Z students in the Special Region of Yogyakarta perceive the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) phenomenon and how it affects their social interactions and psychological well-being. Utilizing a qualitative approach with a phenomenological method, the data were gathered through in-depth interviews with five students from different districts. The results indicate that social media plays a crucial role in intensifying FOMO, which manifests through constant trend-following, self-comparison, and decisions driven by external pressure rather than personal intention. This leads to emotional issues such as anxiety, stress, and mental fatigue. Nonetheless, some respondents have begun to recognize the need for self-regulation and mindful use of social media. In this context, FOMO is shaped by personal perception, social influence, and a lack of intrinsic motivation. Strengthening digital awareness and self-management skills are therefore essential in addressing the impact of FOMO among students.

Oversharing on social media has become a prevalent behavior among Generation Z, driven by psychological, social, and technological factors. This study explores the motivations behind excessive self-disclosure, using surveys and interviews to analyze its causes and consequences. Key influences include the need for social validation, fear of missing out (FOMO), and the desire for a strong digital presence. Social media platforms further encourage oversharing through features like likes, comments, and sharing functionalities.While oversharing can foster social connections and a sense of belonging, it also poses risks such as privacy breaches, cyberbullying, and mental health issues. To mitigate these risks, the study suggests media literacy education and awareness campaigns promoting responsible social media use. The findings contribute to understanding digital behavior and offer insights for educators, parents, and policymakers on fostering healthier online environments.Balancing social media benefits with privacy protection is crucial. Future research should examine the long-term effects of oversharing on Generation Z and explore effective interventions to enhance digital resilience.

Hustle culture has become a defining characteristic among Generation Z university students who highly value continuous productivity and achievement. This culture often leads to psychological pressure and academic burnout. This study systematically reviews the relationship between hustle culture and burnout among university students following the PRISMA guidelines. Relevant articles published between 2018 and 2025 were retrieved from Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and PsycINFO. Out of 85 initial studies, 15 met the inclusion criteria. The findings indicate a positive relationship between hustle culture and academic burnout, mediated by perfectionism, social pressure, and extrinsic motivation. Meanwhile, self-compassion and social support were found to mitigate the negative impacts. These results highlight the importance of promoting balance between ambition and psychological well-being in developing resilient Generation Z learners.

Background: Aging Anxiety, formerly considered as a condition of older adults, is also commonly observed among the younger age groups. Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the anxiety of aging among Generation Z in Pakistan by combining psychological testing with perceptions of genetic effects on mental health and aging processes. Methods: The survey was a cross-sectional study of 106 respondents of age 17-28 years in the month of June 2025, through a structured questionnaire on Google Forms. The data contained demographics, caregiving status, use of social media and education level. The aging score was covered with the help of the Anxiety about Aging Scale (AAS). In addition, questions involving genetics were posed to establish the awareness of genetic mental health and age-related diseases. The meaning of results was determined by comparing with p-value (p < 0.05). Results: Findings showed that 66 % of respondents thought that genetics has a contribution in mental health and aging anxiety, 62% had family longevity, and 15% had a family history of age-related diseases like Alzheimer or Parkinson disease. Mean AAS score was a little higher in female (66.78) than in males (66.47). In all demographics, the scores exceeded the midpoint (60) of the AAS scale (20-100 score), suggesting a notable trend toward aging anxiety above the scale midpoint. The results revealed no significant differences in anxiety scores across gender, residential background, or caregiving status. Conclusion: This study shows aging anxiety has developed in Generation Z in Pakistan and needs to be addressed in future studies.

This study investigates the relationship between self-efficacy and anxiety levels among Generation Z individuals acting as the sandwich generation in Jakarta. These individuals often face dual responsibilities, potentially increasing psychological strain if not supported by strong self-efficacy. Using a quantitative, non-experimental design, the study involved 123 Generation Z respondents in Jakarta. Data were collected through the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) and Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (ZSAS), and analyzed using Spearman correlation. Results showed that most participants had low self-efficacy (55.28%) but were within normal anxiety levels (67.48%), with 30.08% experiencing mild anxiety and 2.44% moderate anxiety. The Spearman analysis revealed a very weak, non-significant negative correlation between self-efficacy and anxiety (r = -0.022, p = 0.808). These findings indicate no significant relationship between self-efficacy and anxiety in this group. Therefore, psychological interventions and programs to strengthen personal capacity are recommended to support Gen Z in managing their dual roles more effectively. Future research is encouraged to consider potential mediating variables, such as social status, occupation, and education, which may influence both self-efficacy and anxiety.

Introduction Sharing cultural values in this digital age for young generations who are digital natives is highly important and, in this respect, the aims of this study are to evaluate experts’ opinions on sharing cultural values in this digital age based on their experience, the roles of educators and families with respect to the sharing of cultural values through storytelling in the digital age, and also capture how cultural values can be explained with metaphors. Methods A focus group interview was conducted with teachers and vice headmasters from public primary and secondary schools in the Northern part of Cyprus within the age range of 30-50 years that are considered to be experts based on their 10 years and above of teaching experience. Data were analyzed through line-by-line coding to create themes. Results Findings revealed that cultural values are eroding, and in sharing cultural values with storytelling in the digital age, the roles of educators and families are essential. Cultural values are the treasures and mirrors of society that should be preserved and transmitted to the younger generations and this can be accomplished through participation in digital platforms, and when such participatory cultural heritage projects are planned with a community-oriented background and human-centered computing concentration. Discussion This research sheds a light to indicate the importance of the storytelling approach for sharing cultural values and heritage. It is significant to address the merits of technology in transferring cultural values and heritage. In addition to this, this study is limited to one specific context that can be further explored as a cross-cultural analysis.

Generation Z (born ca. 1997–2012) has grown up as fully digital natives and faces unique psychological and social conditions. This paper synthesizes recent global research on Gen Z adolescents’ psychological traits, digital behavior, socio-cultural influences, and mental health trends. Data from peer-reviewed studies and large surveys show that Gen Z teens experience unprecedented levels of stress, anxiety, and loneliness, in part due to constant digital engagement. At the same time, they exhibit positive trends such as openness to therapy, social activism, and value-driven identities. We employ a mixed-methods approach, reviewing qualitative evidence (literature, expert interviews) and quantitative data (global surveys, mental health reports) to identify key factors affecting Gen Z well-being. Our findings highlight (1) distinctive personality and social values (collaborative, pragmatic, diversity-valuing); (2) pervasive digital connectivity with associated FOMO and social comparison stress; (3) elevated rates of anxiety and depression relative to past cohorts; and (4) strong engagement in social causes (e.g. climate activism) even while reporting eco-anxiety. In discussing these challenges and strengths, we offer practical recommendations for educators, parents, policymakers, and mental health professionals: fostering digital resilience, open communication about mental health, and support systems tailored to Gen Z’s needs. Our comprehensive review underscores that understanding Gen Z’s complex psychology is critical for guiding them toward well-being in a rapidly changing world.

The pervasive integration of social media platforms into the daily lives of digital natives represents a complex socio-technological phenomenon with profound implications for social cohesion, psychosocial development, and mental health trajectories. Given India’s diverse social fabric, understanding these dynamics is critical for societal stability and cultural continuity. The present investigation employs a quantitatively driven methodology to elucidate the nuanced relationships between social media engagement patterns and social isolation among digital natives in Delhi, a microcosm exemplifying India’s rapidly digitizing demographic. Analytical results demonstrate statistically significant positive correlations: social isolation exhibits strong associations with social media usage frequency, perceived digital social support, and dependency on social media platforms. Findings substantiate the hypothesis that heightened engagement with social media - particularly among Indian digital users - correlates with attenuated face-to-face interactions, increased subjective feelings of loneliness, and exacerbated social fragmentation. Given the heterogeneity of India’s social fabric, these emergent patterns of digital-induced social disintegration necessitate culturally sensitive intervention strategies. Recommendations include promoting balanced digital consumption through digital literacy programs, strengthening offline social competencies, and fostering community-based engagement initiatives - aimed at mitigating social isolation and safeguarding the social cohesion essential for India’s societal stability and cultural resilience.

The study explores the role of digital natives, particularly Generation Z, in political transformation, particularly in the context of the 2024 Kenyan uprising. The research employs a qualitative methodology called netnography to understand the nuances of their involvement, particularly in sensitive contexts like human rights abuses and conflict zones. Desktop research consolidates findings from existing studies while highlighting areas that remain unexplored. This objective approach helps frame research questions accurately and comprehensively understand existing literature. The study focuses on online communities and the cultural dynamics of digital spaces, allowing researchers to delve into the motivations and sentiments driving political engagement among GEN Z. Social media analytics is used to create a more comprehensive picture of the political landscape, ensuring the validity and reliability of the research findings. The analysis reveals that the 2024 Kenyan uprising exemplifies Generation Z's capacity to drive significant political reform and social cohesion. Their strategic use of social media mobilized national activism, evidenced by the President's cabinet dismissal, and catalyzed a global wave of digital activism, highlighting their pivotal role in reshaping socio-political paradigms. This methodology provides a solid foundation for understanding the implications of Generation Z's political engagement.

This study extends a three-stage framework of the digital resilience building process into the domain of hypermediated political crises by using US’ TikTok ban as a critical case. Drawing on non-engagement observation of the event and systematic analysis of empirical materials, we adopt a contextualized political analysis to examine how “TikTok refugees” absorbed shocks, adapted to risks, and ultimately transformed their digital political/apolitical practices under this hypermediated crisis. In this process, RedNote natives, initially apolitical and seemingly “pure” social media users, were drawn into a playful and ironic form of digital carnival triggered by the influx of “TikTok refugees.” As the event unfolded, interactions between the two groups gradually shifted from early stages characterized by gamification and entertainment toward exchanges centered on everyday life and connections through high-cultural and artistic practices. Through this organic evolution of a media activism event, digital resilience deepened into a form of affective solidarity. Consequently, “TikTok refugees” and RedNote natives coalesced into a cosmopolitan discursive community, reactivating the openness and inclusivity that once constituted the “cultural genes” of the global internet. Beyond this case, we argue that the seemingly coincidental yet structurally inevitable diversity of their communicative practices reflects a broader geopolitical context in which global citizens, through bottom-up resistance and “the power of organizing without organizations,” subtly challenge and reconfigure a long-standing, state-centric international political–cultural order. This challenge does not operate through overt political confrontations but rather through micro-level, depoliticized, everyday communicative practices rooted in civil and interpersonal interaction.

Cultural psychology has significantly advanced our understanding of the family unit, providing a nuanced perspective on how cultural contexts shape family dynamics, roles, and interactions. As societies become increasingly multicultural, it is imperative to explore these cultural dimensions to enhance our comprehension of family psychology. Furthermore, cultural psychology addresses developing family policies and programs that are responsive to the cultural realities of different communities. Policies that recognize and support diverse family structures and practices can enhance the well-being of families from various cultural backgrounds. The field of cultural psychology continues to evolve, with emerging research exploring new dimensions of family and culture. Additionally, there is a growing interest in the role of technology and globalization in shaping family dynamics. As families become more interconnected through digital platforms, cultural psychologists are examining how these technologies impact communication, relationship building, and the transmission of cultural values. Advancements in cultural psychology have significantly enriched our understanding of the family unit, emphasizing the importance of cultural contexts in shaping family dynamics, roles, and interactions. By integrating cultural perspectives into family psychology, researchers and practitioners can develop more comprehensive and culturally sensitive approaches to supporting families. As societies continue to diversify, the insights from cultural psychology will be invaluable in promoting the well-being of families across different cultural settings.

No abstract available

Background/ problem: Rapid digital transformation and cultural complexity demand that counselor education evolve to foster integrated competencies for online, multicultural, and technologically mediated practice. This is critical in Thailand's southern border provinces, where online counseling serves communities with distinct traditions amid limited access to mental health services. Despite this urgency, little is known about how counseling students cultivate cross-cultural, digital, and group counseling skills through real-world engagement.Objective/ purpose: This study aimed to explore and describe the lived experiences of graduate students in counseling psychology regarding the development of cross-cultural, online group, and digital counseling competencies through experiential learning during an online practicum.Design and Methodology: This qualitative phenomenological study involved 12 second-year graduate students, purposively selected to participate in online group counseling and supervision in Thailand's southern provinces. Data was collected one month after the practicum through semi-structured group interviews and online reflective surveys. Qualitative experts reviewed instruments, and data were analyzed using content analysis.Findings: Counselor identity development was a relational and transformative process rather than a linear acquisition of skills. Three themes emerged: (1) cross-cultural competence as a lived experience; (2) humanistic values as foundational to online group counseling; and (3) digital counseling competency as an emotionally attuned and ethically grounded practice.Conclusion and Implications: The study highlights the value of integrating virtual practicum, culturally responsive training, and digital ethics in counselor education and supervision. Embedding these elements can guide training programs, strengthen supervision, and inform policy to prepare future practitioners better to serve diverse populations with competence and integrity.

This study employs environmental psychology and social psychology theories to comprehensively examine the ethical dilemmas and cultural tensions arising from artificial intelligence image art within digital media ecosystems, focusing on the socio-psychological effects and value conflict resolution mechanisms. The research reveals that the emergence of AI art creates "normative disruption environments" that systematically challenge traditional creative authority, authenticity perceptions, and cultural value systems, generating multifaceted ethical dilemmas including copyright attribution, moral responsibility delineation, and algorithmic transparency concerns. Simultaneously, significant tensions arise between technological democratization processes and established cultural authorities, manifesting as intergenerational conflicts, cross-cultural adaptation disparities, and value system reconstructions. At the individual level, AI art catalyzes profound psychological adaptation processes among creators, including "distributed creative identity" reconstruction, "algorithmic agency negotiation," and "aesthetic schema rebuilding," while audiences confront fundamental adjustments to their aesthetic cognitive frameworks. The study further unveils multilayered value conflict resolution mechanisms, encompassing individual "ethical pluralism development," community "cultural hybridization formation," and institutional "adaptive norm emergence," demonstrating human society's remarkable cultural resilience and adaptive capacity under technological disruption. The research indicates that successfully addressing AI art challenges requires developing new forms of "digital cultural literacy" that encompasses not only technical competencies but also deep psychological understanding of how algorithmic systems influence cognition, emotion, and social relationships, ultimately pointing toward a future of human-AI collaborative creation that must be grounded in sophisticated balance between technological capabilities and human psychological needs.

This study examines the complex relationship between digital wellness practices and cultural heritage tourism intentions among Generation Z, focusing on the mediating role of the 'Joy of Missing Out' (JOMO). We aimed to understand how conscious digital consumption, particularly digital detox behavior, influences the desire for authentic cultural experiences. A quantitative crosssectional survey was administered to high school students in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This demographic was chosen because it represents a digitally native generation, making them ideal subjects for examining the impact of digital habits. Validated measurement scales were used to ensure the reliability and validity of the data collected on digital detox, JOMO, authentic cultural experience seeking, and cultural heritage tourism intentions. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed for data analysis, allowing for the simultaneous assessment of multiple hypothesized relationships within the theoretical framework. The results unequivocally support all hypothesized relationships, demonstrating robust statistical significance. Crucially, digital detox practices have a positive influence on the development of JOMO, indicating that consciously disengaging from digital platforms fosters a sense of contentment with one's current offline experiences. Furthermore, both digital detox practices and the cultivation of JOMO significantly influenced attitudes toward and intentions to engage in heritage tourism. The integrated theoretical framework successfully explained substantial variance in heritage tourism intentions, underscoring the complexity of the factors driving Generation Z's cultural tourism behavior. This behavior, our findings suggest, emerges from a dynamic interplay between conscious digital consumption modification, psychological wellness states (such as JOMO), and a genuine appreciation for authentic cultural experiences. The findings demonstrate that Joy of Missing Out serves as a crucial psychological mechanism linking digital detox behaviors to authentic cultural experience seeking, providing valuable insights for cultural tourism marketing strategies and destination management approaches targeting digitally native generations.

Digital transformation has brought new challenges and opportunities in cultural preservation in Indonesia, particularly through the application of Virtual Reality (VR) technology to the Gamelan tradition in Yogyakarta, Bali, and Lombok. This study highlights the urgency of cultural revitalisation and the transmission of traditional Gamelan values, which are increasingly being eroded by modernisation and changes in the lifestyles of the younger generation. Applied a qualitative approach and Design-Based Research (DBR) methods, this study examines local wisdom, structure, and the function of Gamelan through the Ethno-Stream model framework, which integrates science, technology, religion, engineering, art, and mathematics. Data were obtained through in-depth interviews with expert informants, Gamelan maestros, and cultural observers, as well as multimedia documentation. The study's results demonstrate that the development of an interactive VR-based Gamelan model has successfully increased cultural engagement and appreciation among the digital-native generation, thereby expanding the scope of learning across social, spiritual, and cultural domains. Analysis shows that immersive learning experiences through VR can bridge the generational gap in tradition and strengthen the global relevance of local culture. In conclusion, the integration of VR in Gamelan preservation can be an effective solution to enhance cultural identity, encourage multidisciplinary education, and build a sustainable model for cultural revitalisation in the digital age.

No abstract available

The international scientific community turned to cultural-historical psychology to find solutions to the issues caused by the introduction of new tools into social practice - digital tools and artificial intelligence, embodied in the international congress: "L. S. Vygotsky and A. R. Luria: cultural-historical psychology and issues of digitalization in social practices". The cross-cutting theme was the definition of the place of the digital medium in human life. Summarizing the results in a brief form, we identified five areas: defining the essence of the digital medium, its limitations and possibilities; highlighting the limits of its use; irrationality and rationality in relation to the "machine"; the role of the adult in learning and communication with the child when using digital media; the requirements for digital media in the boundaries of safety. In each area, the main provisions of cultural-historical psychology are examined in depth through the prism of their applicability to contemporary reality. The notions of "social situation of development," tool and sign, interiorization and zone of the nearest development, age and its features, mediation and others showed not only their theoretical viability, but also the practical necessity of their application.

Aim/Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose a new conceptual framework for defining Generation Z as “mobile natives”, highlighting early and embodied exposure to mobile technologies as the generation’s core socio-technological characteristic. Background Existing generational models often struggle to distinguish Generation Z from Generation Y in meaningful ways. While both are described as “digital natives,” the critical shift—according to our analysis—is not merely access to digital technology, but age of first contact, especially with mobile devices. Methodology This is a conceptual and theoretical study based on a synthesis of existing empirical research and statistical surveys from various countries, with particular attention to mobile phone adoption patterns in early childhood. Contribution We introduce the term “mobile natives” as a refinement of the broader and often vague “digital natives” category. The framework distinguishes Generation Z by their early, daily, and bodily-integrated interaction with mobile technologies—beginning in childhood, not adolescence. Findings The adoption of mobile phones among children surged significantly beginning with those born in 1995–1996. This early mobile immersion has shaped identity, communication habits, and parent-child relationships in ways unique to Generation Z. Global patterns (e.g., South Africa, India) show similar dynamics, suggesting the framework has international relevance. Recommendations for Practitioners Educators, media creators, and policy-makers should recognize that Generation Z’s media practices are shaped by pre-adolescent mobile exposure. Approaches to engagement, education, and digital well-being must reflect this developmental trajectory. Recommendations for Researchers Scholars should adopt the age of first technological exposure as a key variable in generational studies and explore cultural differences in mobile adoption. Comparative studies across societies can deepen our understanding of how “mobile nativeness” manifests globally. Impact on Society Recognizing Generation Z as “mobile natives” reframes how we understand their socialization, media consumption, identity formation, and cognitive development. It also challenges assumptions about generational boundaries and digital behavior. Future Research Future work should empirically assess the psychological and developmental effects of early mobile exposure, explore how “mobile nativeness” operates in non-Western cultures and examine the long-term societal implications of mobile-centric childhoods.

Dewa Ruci is one of the original Indonesian classical mythologies containing educational values that have been socialized for a hundred years through traditional Wayang performances and considered as guidance in behavior. This research will discuss the educational value contained in Dewa Ruci that is beneficial for Generation Z and how graphic narratives may allow the message to be more easily accepted. This research uses a qualitative research approach. Firstly, will explain the research result from the previous researcher in the field of graphic narrative and its role in education. As a comparative study, the analysis carried out towards visualization and narration contained in three Dewa Ruci comics from three different eras to become references and as initial evidence that graphic narrative can be used as an alternative solution. Then, the explanation will be given towards the content of the classic mythology that is relevant as character education and graphic narrative as alternative media to deliver the educational content from the classic mythology can be suggested. This research aims to provide an overview of the importance of adopting educational content on classic mythology and to understand the suitable media to deliver educational content that matches current learning requirements and Generation Z characteristics.

This study investigates the role of Islamic laws in addressing rising social crimes among Generation Z in Bangladesh. With increasing rates of drug abuse, cybercrime, and peer-influenced delinquency, the research highlights Gen Z's complex relationship with moral authority and legal systems. Using a quantitative approach, data was collected from 200 university students through structured questionnaires. Findings reveal a mixed perception: while many recognize the moral value of Islamic teachings, opinions are divided on the relevance and effectiveness of these laws in a modern, digitalized society. The study underscores that Gen Z is not dismissive of faith-based guidance but seeks frameworks that are compassionate, just, and socially resonant. A significant number of participants expressed a need for broader education on Islamic values, believing it could support moral development and crime prevention. However, knowledge gaps and skepticism remain, particularly regarding punitive aspects of Islamic law. The research suggests that Islamic legal principles, if introduced with cultural sensitivity and relevance, can act as preventive moral compasses rather than merely legal enforcers. Ultimately, a balanced, integrative approach combining spiritual, educational, and social support systems may be most effective in curbing youth delinquency in contemporary Bangladesh.

Digital environment, generation Z acquires specific characteristics, such as dependence on technology, different communication styles, and the need for greater autonomy and individual recognition. The purpose of this study is to improve family education patterns in the transformative era of generation Z. The research methodology with a qualitative approach to single case study design. Data collection techniques are observation, interviews. Data analysis techniques with source triangulation. This research is in Mayung village, Gunung Jati district, Cirebon Regency. Researchers began observation on July 1, 2024, the study took place on July 15 - August 25, 2024. The research subjects consisted of 1 Mayung village head, 2 villagers born in 1997 and 2000. Secondary subjects 2 family members of the client. The results of the study indicate that family counseling services in providing assistance to parents in understanding how education is modeled on generation Z

With the growth of short video platforms and government policy support for BB, earthy short videos have gained widespread popularity among Generation Z audiences on the Douyin platform. The researcher analyzes the psychological needs of Generation Z audiences through content analysis of earthy short videos on the Douyin platform, examines the platform's precise recommendation mechanism, and applies the theory of culmination to assess the impact of these videos on the values of Generation Z. Finally, strategies are proposed to optimize the value identity of contemporary youth audiences through the Douyin platform. Especially in the era of short video, in order to meet the development needs of generation Z, there are more and more researches on the application of short video recommendation algorithm. Deep convolutional neural networks have extremely powerful feature representation capabilities and have been reasonably applied in multiple computer vision tasks,The theory of culmination is applied to analyze the impact of short videos on the values of Generation Z audiences, exploring both positive and negative outcomes. Finally, a strategy is proposed for optimizing the value identity of contemporary youth audiences through the Douyin platform.

Purpose The marriage expectations of Generation Z youth in China, the main force of marriage currently and over the next decade, are declining. In this study, several moderated mediation models were constructed to explain the effects of online exposure to marriage information on the marriage expectations of Gen Z from an information processing perspective. Participants and methods A total of 1,390 questionnaires, based on the Online Exposure to Marriage Information Scale, Relative Information Exposure Scale, Marriage Values Scale, and Marriage Expectation Scale, were collected from Gen Z youth across 31 provincial administrative regions in China. Preliminary data analysis was conducted using SPSS 24.0, and the mediation effect test and moderated mediation effect test were conducted using Process 3.5. Results The results indicated that (1) online exposure to marriage utility information was positively related to marriage intention, and online exposure to marriage cost information was negatively related to marriage intention; (2) marriage values mediated the relationship between online exposure to marriage information and marriage intention and that between online exposure to marriage information and expected marriage age; and (3) relative utility and cost information exposure played opposite moderating roles in the relationship between online exposure to marriage information and marriage intention, ultimately inhibiting the marriage intention of Chinese Generation Z. Conclusion Different types of online exposure to marriage information and the relative information exposure of Chinese Generation Z individuals have varying impacts on their marriage values and marriage expectations. Policy-makers and online platforms should enhance supervision and guidance on online marriage information. Additionally, Generation Z youth should adjust their relative exposure to cultivate healthy marriage values.

This study explores the variable factors that affect the identity management identity of the Generation-Z in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, and provides solutions for improving the youth's identity, inheritance and further improving the efficiency of organizational management of red cultural organizations. This study uses quantitative investigation and qualitative analysis methods, and derives three independent variables, an intermediary variable and a dependent variable. A total of hypotheses and a conceptual model were proposed. Pilot study was used for data collection and analysis, factor analysis, path analysis, and regression analysis to verify the research hypothesis. This study will take the organizational identity theory as the theoretical basis, provide a new research perspective for the Xi'an Municipal Government and relevant red culture functional management departments to improve management effectiveness, and provide reference ideas for the identification and inheritance of red culture among adolescents in the Generation-Z in Xi'an.

In line with current global trends, social media in particular has become one of the most effective mediums for obtaining information, entertaining and spreading knowledge. Not to be left out, the development of various social media has greatly benefited both current and past generations. Born between 1995 and 2012, Generation Z is the first generation whose everyday life has been influenced by social media, the internet, and smartphones. Being the biggest generation in history, they have a big impact on the world development. However, Gen Z’s use of social media can impact their lives in both positive and negative ways. Therefore, this article discusses the issues and challenges of social media against Generation Z. Furthermore, it offers Quran and hadith as guidance to fortify Gen Z’s identity and help them overcome their issues. In order to obtain the necessary data, a qualitative method using a library research approach by researching books and journal articles was carried out. The study’s findings unveiled numerous issues and challenges arising from the utilization of social media. These include economic disparity, social inequality, data privacy concerns, mental health issues, time wastage problems, neglect of responsibilities, validity of information, loss of manners, and so forth. Furthermore, the study also provided recommendations derived from two primary sources of revelation. These suggestions encompass prioritizing life’s main objectives, utilizing time for worship, abstaining from negative influences, cultivating virtuous behavior, and other related aspects. Therefore, this study is important to reveal the impact and raise awareness to all parties to ensure the Muslim Generation Z are firm in their belief and steady faith.

Our qualitative research was inspired by the 75-year long Harvard University Happiness Survey.In October-November 2022, 65 young marketing undergraduates from Generation Z were asked what value and happiness meant to them. Today’s 20-year-olds were forced to live one tenth of their lives, i.e., 2 years, locked in their homes, isolated from friends and university peers, during the COVID -19 pandemic. Hardly had they recovered from the threat of the pandemic, from their grief, when they were hit by another trauma, as were other members of society. War in neighbouring Ukraine, serious energy crisis, climate crisis, skyrocketing inflation, uncertain future…The focus of the research was therefore on the question of what kind of life they would be satisfied with, and what they would do to achieve the quality of life they want. What goals do they have, what do they want to achieve in their lives? Are human relationships important to them? As our interviewees were marketing students, we asked them if they were happy buying a product or using a service, how important is the experience of buying a product or service to them? How do they think about this topic, what strategy do they want to follow as marketing employees based on their life experiences? Their way of thinking is also decisive at a societal level.

As “digital natives” in the digital economy era, Generation Z college students have their social behaviors and patterns profoundly shaped by digital technologies. This study begins by examining the social characteristics of Generation Z college students, discusses the social dilemmas they face, and further analyzes the multifaceted influences of technological evolution, socio-environmental shifts, and cultural conflicts. Finally, it proposes strategies to address these challenges, including strengthening guidance and education from universities, support and guidance from families, and creating a healthy environment. These strategies aim to help Generation Z students break through social dilemmas, establish healthy social relationships, and promote their healthy growth in the digital age.

This article aims to determine the capital owned by Generation Z and the efforts to strengthen spirituality that are carried out so that Generation Z is ready to face the era of society 5.0. The locus of this research is at Madrasah Aliyah Negeri Insan Cendekia Pasuruan, East Java, Indonesia. The approach used in this study is qualitative research. The data collection technique chosen was through interviews with MAN Insan Cendekia teachers and seven MAN Insan Cendekia students. The data sources in this study were nine, including Mr. S as the dormitory supervisor, Mrs. Y as the guidance counselor, ODP, NES, SH, ZRMH, IILL, SRB, and KD as students of MAN IC Pasuruan. Other techniques used are observation and documentation. Explicitly, the problems that researchers raise in this study are: what are the capitals owned by Generation Z MAN Insan Cendekia in facing the Era of Society 5.0, and how to strengthen spirituality so that Generation Z is ready to face the era of society 5.0. Data analysis techniques are carried out through data reduction, data presentation, and verification. The results of the study show that the capital owned by Generation Z MAN Insan Cendekia in facing the Era of Society 5.0 includes economic, intellectual, and cultural capital, and efforts to strengthen spirituality are carried out so that Generation Z is ready to face the era of society 5.0. carried out through the study of the Qur'an, secondly, the Study of the Hadith of al-Arba'in an-Nawawiyyah, third, Qiyamull lail every night (Tahajud prayer), fourth, Diba'an.

The subject of the research in this article is typical features and value orientations of Generation Z, new risks and opportunities, which appear in representatives of “digital natives”. The study aims to understand the prerequisites of value transformations, identifying the specifics of the generation not only in terms of fundamentally new conditions of “Zets” existence in the information society, but also in the context of several socio-cultural and political events of the early XXI century, which have formed new risks and new opportunities for the representatives of this generation.

Purpose-This research aims to analyze the role of character education in addressing racism among Generation Z, who are frequently exposed to racial issues through social media. Research Methodology/Design/Approach- A descriptive qualitative approach was used with a library research method. Various relevant literature sources were examined to understand both the phenomenon of racism and strategies for implementing character education. Findings-The study finds that character education—emphasizing values such as tolerance, empathy, justice, and equality—plays a crucial role in fostering an inclusive mindset within Generation Z. These values can be integrated into curricula, extracurricular activities, and digital platforms to support anti-racism efforts. However, challenges such as cultural resistance and unequal access to quality education remain significant obstacles. Addressing these requires collaboration among educators, parents, communities, and social institutions. Originality/value-This research highlights the strategic importance of strengthening character education as a foundation for building an inclusive society free from racial discrimination. It offers insights into integrating anti-racism values within educational programs tailored for the digital era’s unique challenges faced by Generation Z

The metaverse is progressively advancing toward broad application in real-world scenarios. However, as a key driving force of today’s digital economy, Generation Z has not demonstrated sufficient enthusiasm for participation. This study adopts a mixed-methods approach to systematically explore the resistance behaviors of Generation Z toward the metaverse and their underlying causes. In the first phase, grounded theory was employed to analyze data from 25 in-depth interviews. Through three levels of coding, seven key resistance factors were identified: interpersonal alienation, psychological burden, social norm conflict, value doubt, perceived complexity, perceived unavailability, and perceived risk. In the second phase, structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine the net effects of these factors on resistance behavior. The results indicate that all factors except perceived complexity have a significant positive influence on resistance behavior. In the third phase, fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) was employed to identify nine configurations of conditions that lead to resistance, thus addressing the limitations of SEM in capturing complex causal relationships. This study not only extends the theoretical boundaries of user behavior research in the metaverse context but also provides empirical insights for platforms aiming to optimize user experience and develop operational strategies targeted at Generation Z.