Generation Gap: The Changes

 As times have changed, the way of living, habits and people did too. The world is constantly changing and adjusting to that can be difficult. We are amazed by how things were back then. This article is devoted to acknowledging some of the differences between kids living in the 80s compared with kids living in the 21st century. 

This article is solely for fun and all the information comes from me and my parents’ experiences. 

Entertainment:

Kids of any age and from any time get bored, but each generation has its own way of dealing with that. 

1. 80s kids

Kids of that generation used most of their free time going outside and playing games with their friends. They talked to their friends directly, face-to-face and met up almost daily. They used to play a variety of games and got very creative in ways to have fun. These games include hopscotch, playing with marbles and simply running around and playing simple games like tag. 

They also used to play games like Kabaddi, which is a more physical game and more classic games like carrom board. The simplest things could spark children’s’ imaginations back then, which sparked the creation of hitting a wheel with a stick to make it roll. 

2. Gen Z

Video games have practically taken over the world and have attracted most children. From simple games like Mario Kart to graphic, violent, first-person shooter games like COD and CS: GO. Most entertainment lies in watching Netflix or playing video games with their friends. 

Information/school:

1. 80s kids

These kids passed college without Google, it’s crazy to grasp that concept isn’t it? Getting information meant that they had to ask people in their neighbourhood for help. Or, go all the way to the library and sit there for hours reading and taking notes. And, they didn't have an app to check exactly where the book was. They had to search for exactly what book they needed. They spent a lot more time on mundane tasks than our generation ever will.

2. Gen Z

Google has all the answers you’ll ever need and all that information is just a couple clicks away. Getting information for homework, general knowledge and anything else has become incredibly easy and requires close to no effort. Gen Z children don’t even need a computer, they just reach into their pockets, grab a phone and search up whatever they need. 

Technological advancements have made the world better and worse in their own ways. I don’t mean to take a shot at this generation’s livelihood but just to inform that they have it much easier than their parents and grandparents. 

Technology:

Technology has improved drastically within the last few decades and our view of electronics is very different than previous generations’. 

1. 80s kids

The technology was a massive thing back then and any small piece of electronic machinery in the house would be incredible. TVs were small and box-like, unlike the 75-inch 4K screens we are so accustomed to seeing these days. There were no mobile phones and computers had just begun to become a thing. Even having a massive, bulky monitor would draw a lot of attention. Kids back then appreciated all the little things in their lives and most of them probably received their first phones well into their 20s. 

2. Gen Z

Technology is taken for granted these days as it has become a general thing that everyone has. Spending money on mobile phones and iPads has become a normal occurrence. iPhones and MacBooks are now ubiquitous. Kids these days have a phone, mac or an iPhone and it does not surprise anyone from this generation except those from 80’s or older generations. Everything we do is centralized towards technology and we require WiFi services for everything. 

To put this into perspective, even as I am writing this article, I’m connected to WiFI to access Drive. 

I am not able to imagine what will Gen ABC kids got to write about Gen Z in 20 years from now. Generations can change, but a kid remains the same. They constantly look for engaging and enjoying their childhood. The best phase of everyone’s life. It is also a time to reflect on the amount of time we spend on a digital screen. Advancement is important but not at the cost of addiction to digital equipment. 

Kids have their entire life to be immersed in technology because they have to work. They should enjoy their childhood years with a mixture of both digital and real-life fun. They should go play in the rain, have a game of football while also being able to play mobile games. Balance is very important, and it’s up to the children how they want to balance it out. However, it is vital that they use their childhood years, filled with energy, on something, be it sports or just playing outside.