The Gen Z Takeover: Is Tech Giving Them the Power?
Accustomed to overprotection since childhood, Generation Z is now using the same tools that once controlled them to monitor their own parents. What started as a form of care has evolved into a new social phenomenon that questions the boundaries of privacy and the use of technology.
From helicopter parents to vigilant children
The influence of helicopter parents was intensified with the arrival of mobile phones and apps like Life360 or Find My Phone, which allowed real-time location sharing. These tools became an extension of parental hyperconnectivity.
– Location tracking: What initially seemed like a practical system for safety turned into an invasion of privacy, with parents monitoring every move of their children.
– Generational shift: Now, Generation Z uses these same apps to track their parents, sometimes even without their knowledge, in a kind of “technological revenge”.
Why does Generation Z want to track their parents?
This behavior is not always based on control, but on a mix of curiosity and convenience. Some young people see tracking their parents as a way to stay in touch without the need for frequent calls, while others simply replicate the control dynamic they grew up with.
However, this practice has raised criticisms about privacy boundaries:
– Practical tool: For many, tracking their parents facilitates daily logistics and reduces worry about their well-being.
– Possible abuse: Others see this trend as an unnecessary invasion that perpetuates the control cycle they criticized so much in their childhood.
How does this affect other areas?
The influence of helicopter parents is not limited to the family dynamic. This phenomenon has also transcended to the workplace:
– Job interviews with parents: According to a report, 20% of companies acknowledge seeing young people attending interviews accompanied by their parents, reflecting the dependency generated by overprotection.
– Impact on autonomy: These dynamics can hinder young people’s ability to make independent decisions and face challenges on their own.
Generation Z has taken the technology that once symbolized parental control and adapted it to their own needs, creating a new dynamic in the relationship between parents and children. However, this shift raises important questions about privacy, control boundaries, and autonomy.
In an increasingly digital world, finding a balance between the practical use of technology and respect for individual independence will be key to building healthier relationships. The question that remains is: does this change represent progress or simply a new cycle of control from a different perspective?
