Whether it’s the way they dress, speak, or behave in public, Gen Z is often criticized for being rude and careless. As social norms evolve and technology reshapes communication, the line between disrespect and self-expression is increasingly blurring.
On social media, it can be unclear what’s humorous and what crosses a line. “I think social media makes it seem like certain things are more acceptable than they are,” sophomore Oliver Chi said. Viral videos and influencers often glamorize rude or disrespectful behavior by presenting it as entertainment, which can influence younger audiences to imitate it—whether by playing “pranks” on employees or provoking strangers for content on social media.
“Social media influences student behavior because it’s something most students have access to and are able to create a common culture between teenagers beyond our local community,” Ethnic Studies and AP World teacher Amira Sani said.
When creators gain popularity and attention for mocking others or causing public disturbances, it sends the message that disrespect is rewarded. This, confuses humor and harm, ultimately normalizing inappropriate behavior in real life.
“I see a lot of videos of people going into stores and bothering the workers, which sends a message to viewers that it’s okay to do that,” Chi added.
During the 2021 “devious lick” trend, students filmed themselves vandalizing school property, stealing everything from soap dispensers to classroom supplies. In recent weeks, a similar trend has arisen. The “chromebook challenge” causes students to damage school devices by stuffing small objects like pencil led and paper clips into the USB port, which in some cases, can cause the device to catch fire. “My initial reaction was ‘how dumb,’” Sani said.
The anonymity of social media also allows users to say or do things they likely wouldn’t in face-to-face interactions, as there’s minimal risk of real-world consequences. This sense of detachment can lead people to post offensive comments, instigate arguments, or join harmful trends without fully considering the effects of their actions. “People on social media often hide behind their camera,” sophomore Finn Doherty said.
“I feel like coming out of the pandemic, students are more insular, maybe even apathetic to what we’re doing in the classroom. I think technology, particularly social media, has contributed to that,” World History and U.S. History teacher Laura Collier-Pang said.
Doherty believes one’s upbringing shapes respect. “I think respect differs from person to person because people’s parents might think of respect differently, and normally, you learn these important life lessons from your parents,” he said.
Different family backgrounds can often lead to staggered points of view when it comes to respect. “A teenager’s level of respect depends on who they were raised by,” said sophomore Melanie Flores-Camacho.
Bad behavior also reinforces negative stereotypes about Gen Z as a whole. “Teenagers on E-bikes zoom around Menlo Park without helmets, multiple people on one bike, and are rowdy, especially the middle schoolers,” an anonymous student said. These public displays of recklessness often become associated with the broader image of Gen Z, even though not all teens behave this way.
Because of the behavior seen online, some adults also assume that all of Gen Z is disrespectful or inconsiderate in real life. This can lead to unfair stereotypes in public spaces, where young people are judged before speaking or acting.
Senior Claire Gong, who works at Fleet Feet in downtown Menlo Park, has experienced this firsthand. “An adult came in and said they wanted a more experienced worker that wasn’t my age, but I’ve been working for two years, so I am an experienced worker,” she said.
“I think we see many things as normal and not necessarily disrespectful. Adults were raised in an environment where what we’re saying today is disrespectful, and they probably interpret it differently than we do,” Chi added.
As social norms shift and technology reshapes communication, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between what is disrespectful and simply new forms of expression among youth. “I just think we stand up for ourselves, and that’s seen as disrespectful,” Gong added.
