In an ever-changing landscape that presents new uncertainties and developments every day, it should not come as a surprise that Gen Z, considered to be “the most diverse and digitally connected generation in the U.S”, according to NPR, has become highly politically involved. 

Due to changes in immigration, a higher likelihood of having a college-educated parent and holding less jobs in their teenage years, Gen Z is likely to become the most well-educated generation, according to Kim Parker and Ruth Igielnik of the Pew Research Center. 

The emergence of social media and internet platforms have also vastly contributed to that superlative. With an abundance of resources in our back pocket, it takes very little to gather information. Moreover, Gen Z is able to easily share their political opinions online and educate themselves on those of others. 

In such a divided political environment, as well as an election year littered with civil unrest and a global pandemic, having the ability to connect and learn through a variety of online resources greatly contributes to the preservation of democracy. 

Further, with such unpredictability, Gen Z has a larger percentage of individuals who are looking for an active government who will propose and pass societal reforms, according to the Pew Research Center. 

“Members of Gen Z are more likely than older generations to look to government to solve problems, rather than businesses and individuals,” Parker and Igielnik said. 

This has become even more evident in recent years, with nation-wide protests in response to police brutality and the increase of gun-violence in schools, among a variety of other issues. 

In spite of a majority of Gen Z’s inability to vote, they are using resources that are available to them and speaking out in order to pressure government officials to make change. 

Junior Hannah Schwartzberg of Ocean believes that Gen Z has effectively used the media in order to continue to strengthen democracy. 

“So much good has been done by Gen Zers who are able to see and learn about the issues that have been going on for years,” she said. “It is evident, especially now that Gen Z has made a serious impact on the world and the fact that we have already done this at such a young age gives me great hope for future leaders.”