I'm asking because a lot of people debate on this. If you look on any news article, the starting date is always either 1995 or 2000, just like Gen X is stated to begin in either 1961 or 1965. Some people born around the earlier part of the gen ('95-'97) seem to consider themselves Gen Y instead, not wanting to be lumped in with children who got phones in kindergarten. Of course, I feel some of it is them being insecure and thinking "Kids today are spoiled brats, everything after the mid-00s sucked!"

But fact is, if you go on Google Images and type in "Gen Z", nearly every date range leans towards 1995-2009. They don't care about what cartoons you watched, or how long the "90s residue" lasted, or whether or not you laid a finger on a can of Surge. None of that matters, what matters is the rise of Internet in '95 and the massive impact it had on the world. Sure, it didn't change things right away, but that was the BEGINNING of the impact.

Your thoughts?

I say the start is 2001 for a variety of reasons. The first one is that despite the rise of the internet, the use of it was low until sometime in the mid 00s; so, the Zers wouldn't have been using it as they were either too young or non-existent. Second, they were mostly born after the new millennium and 9/11, so they wouldn't have even remembered it. Third, Zers won't be able to commonly vote until the 2024 presidential election. Last, by the time the oldest Zers have graduated HS, it will be close to the 2020s which by then the pop culture will be fully Z and no Y influence whatsoever. 

I say the start is 2001 for a variety of reasons. The first one is that despite the rise of the internet, the use of it was low until sometime in the mid 00s; so, the Zers wouldn't have been using it as they were either too young or non-existent. Second, they were mostly born after the new millennium and 9/11, so they wouldn't have even remembered it. Third, Zers won't be able to commonly vote until the 2024 presidential election. Last, by the time the oldest Zers have graduated HS, it will be close to the 2020s which by then the pop culture will be fully Z and no Y influence whatsoever. 

THIS!!! I'd get PRETTY DAMN insulted if I was called a Zer!

THIS!!! I'd get PRETTY DAMN insulted if I was called a Zer!
I know that feeling. I have friends your age and I don't even see them as Zers. Besides, your childhoods were nearly the same as mine.

Yeah Zelek, the most accurate/recent sources are leaning towards 1995-2009 when giving the definition of Generation Z, because of the release of internet explorer in mid 1995 which was the building branch of a lot of the technology we have today. I disagree with it on so many levels, but the most accurate businesses give 1995-2009 as "digital natives". Kinda like how Baby Boomers are 1946-1964 because of the end of WWII being the cutoff, well, the release of the internet explorer is the cutoff of Generation Y and start of Generation Z. They don't care if you remember a time before a more upgraded computer, TV, phone, etc. because the internet was the building branch of it being more advanced. I don't understand why people say everybody born in 1995 and after can't remember a time before internet or when things were more advanced, when really 1992-1994 born's can't remember a time before the internet explorer was released either, despite being born before the internet BOOM.

http://www.intelligenthq.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/generation-z.jpg

Yeah Zelek, the most accurate/recent sources are leaning towards 1995-2009 when giving the definition of Generation Z, because of the release of internet explorer in mid 1995 which was the building branch of a lot of the technology we have today. I disagree with it on so many levels, but the most accurate businesses give 1995-2009 as "digital natives". Kinda like how Baby Boomers are 1946-1964 because of the end of WWII being the cutoff, well, the release of the internet explorer is the cutoff of Generation Y and start of Generation Z. They don't care if you remember a time before a more upgraded computer, TV, phone, etc. because the internet was the building branch of it being more advanced. I don't understand why people say everybody born in 1995 and after can't remember a time before internet or when things were more advanced, when really 1992-1994 born's can't remember a time before the internet explorer was released either, despite being born before the internet BOOM.

http://www.intelligenthq.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/generation-z.jpg

If they think that way then they really think Gen Z is one SHORT generation! >:(  that's ridiculous! ;D 

If they think that way then they really think Gen Z is one SHORT generation! >:(  that's ridiculous! ;D


Let me introduce you to how I relate to Y or Z, I copied and pasted my thoughts on this from another site, the Generation Y vs. Generation Z stereotypes comparing these two videos. So here are my thoughts on this.

MybFlN0Vn3s

Generation Y, let's go.

Run–D.M.C.; 2Pac; Spice Girls; The Notorious Big; Sublime: I missed out on the music from these groups or people, because I was too young by the time they broke up, no longer in its prime, or died.

Britney Spears; Backstreet Boys; Ace of Base; Limp Bizkit; No Doubt; NSYNC; Korn: If some of us had older influence in the family, or was exposed very exclusively, we might have listened to the music throughout our earlier childhoods, or even middle childhoods depending on how long they were in their prime, but honestly I wasn't into the pop culture of music at that young of an age. I didn't start being aware of the music coming out on my own until around 2007. I was just a young kid doing kiddy stuff before I was 11 years old. There are exceptions though.

Will Smith, Lauryn Hill, Ricky Martin, Shania Twain (is this woman really 50 now!?), Missy Elliot, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Robyn, Sheryl Crow, Outkast, Robbie Williams, Dave Matthews, etc: Hmmmm, I'm confused on this one, some of these names are still active, I guess it depends on if you remember these artists or celebrities in their peak or prime when they were young, I'm going to assume in the 90's decade for that.

Sneakers, Neon Colors, Crop Tops, Euro Chic, Cargo Pants, Long Skirts, Platform Shoes, Hoodies, Bobs & Pixie Cuts, Skater Chic, Hip Hop Fashion, Jelly Shoes, Bomber Jackets, Knee Thigh Boots, Hipster, Leggings, Plaid Shirts: Ok lol, you know I'm not an expert on the fashion before I entered middle school, when I was a young kid I didn't give a sheesh about what I wore, I didn't care, but again, there are exceptions though.

Full House; The Fresh Prince of Bel Air; Clarissa Explains It All; Party of Five; Boy Meets World; Sister Sister; Are You Afraid of the Dark; Animaniacs; Saved by the Bell; Married with Children; Ducktales; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987); Batman: The Animated Series; Ren & Stimpy: I either didn't grow up with the original run or grew up with reruns, as you can tell lol, so these don't count for me obviously.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer; Dawson's Creek; Will & Grace; 7th Heaven; Sabrina the Teenage Witch; Friends; Daria: Now for these following shows, I wasn't in the target audience for many of these during its original run. However, if you were one of those who again had an older brother or sister who exposed you to these at a young age. Or if your parents somehow made you watch whatever you wanted to on TV. Then maybe it applies to you then.

South Park; Pokemon; Sesame Street: I grew up with all of these shows. So these apply to me 100%

Nickelodeon cartoons: It depends on which ones you're referring to. If it ran through the early 2000's, then it counts as apart of my childhood in my book. However, if they mean Nickelodeon's golden age in the mid 90's, then it doesn't apply to me then. Maybe Klaspy Ksupo nicktoons count but I'm not sure.

Harry Potter books were a huge part of my childhood, same with the movies as well. Goosebumps were really fun during my earlier elementary school years too, however, I don't know if I was alive when all the books debuted or not. However, I do know I was alive to witness books come out like Harry Potter of course, Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Inheritance Cycle, The Hunger Games, and Twilight series.

Titanic; Home Alone; Toy Story; The Matrix; Boogie Nights; American Beauty; Little Mermaid; Aladdin, Beauty & the Beast; Mean Girls; Jurassic Park; Princess Mononoke; Armageddon; Hook; Men In Black; Rushmore; The Land Before Time; Space Jam; Hocus Pocus; The Princess Bride; The Nightmare Before Christmas; Dumb & Dumber: All of these movies except for Mean Girls I'm either too young to remember or wasn't born yet.

Nintendo 64: People around my age have the right to claim they grew up with this, since with video games it's different.

Y2K; AOL; Digital Cameras; High Definition; The Internet; MP3 Player, DVD; Tickle Me Elmo; Instant Messaging; cell phones (flip phones); Online Multiplayer Games; Memory Cards; iPod; DVR; E-Mail; Netflix; Java: Alright, not bad at all. Although I can't remember Y2K though since I was still in my early childhood by the time New Years 2000 hit. Some of this like Netflix or DVR could be a description of what they're expecting current Y members' lives to be like now.

qypKjzUOhBM

Now for the Generation Z stereotypes. Born in 2005, well this person is a 2010's kid.

Well I was born in the same year the Summer Olympics occurred in Atlanta, GA in 1996, and since that's near my home town, I have pictures of me as a baby with my cousins, parents, aunts & uncles at many of the Olympic events. If that counts lol.

Apple revealed the iPhone when you were 2 years old, well Google was launched when I was 2 years old ;)

Belong to a Generation born with complete technology, would any of you say being born in the mid 90's is being born into complete technology, due to the internet BOOM being big at the time, thanks to Internet Explorer and Windows 95?

"We have PC's, smart phones, gaming devices, tablets, MP3 players, and the internet" That's true, however, I'd say what ever age you were when these came out is a huge factor. There were video games around before internet explorer was released, does that count?

"We naturally multi-task" "We text, read, watch, and walk at the same time, a skill that stuns the adults."
Oh hell no! Now I'm being honest folks this doesn't apply to me at all, I was hardly ever a really good multi-task person growing up.

Everybody from all generations can express their feelings, thoughts, and spread them through the world.

"In our lifetime, we will never send a single letter by mail."
I'm laughing hard at this one right now, what a big ass lie. Now yes e-mailing has become more of the standard now, but I learned about handwritten letters throughout elementary & middle school and how to indent them probably and use the right terms when speaking to business folks. Heck I hand wrote all of my high school graduation letters.

A lot of folks all ages spend a lot of time on social media nowadays, it depends on their job or how they manage their time wisely. Now back in the 90's to early/mid 2000's, I don't think people spent time on social media as much as they do today.

Terrible social skills? Well that depends on the particular person IMO. I understand how a lot of technology has changed the way people interact in society and we must learn how to control it in the right way and not the wrong way. Honestly if you're going into a business one day or have to lead a job, then you'll have to take Public Speaking class in college to overcome that fear, which I'm doing right now.

All these other stereotypes I'm seeing throughout this video that makes me scratch my head as well, just keep watching and you'll see.

Living with your parents until you're 45? I know people who commute in college and live with their parents a couple more years to save lots of money and have more manageable college classes, but living with parents that long. I've never heard of this.

I will meet my future wife on a dating website with plastic surgery and makeup...... ok this is going too far & crazy here.

Anyways, what do y'all think? Honestly, there's absolutely no way I can be pure Y, to me it looks like the core Y members were all born throughout the 80's. Just saying. Heck even some Y stereotypes some early 90's babies may not apply to. Also I feel like there are some pop cultural shows or movies that are missing that could be in the Y section too, but you know Z is going to forget about it. Since it's more of a Y/Z cusp thing. As for Generation Z, again, I can't apply to everything either. It's strange between stuck in that weird position. So overall, I consider myself as a Y/Z cusper. There needs to be some stereotypes separate for our own generation.

If they think that way then they really think Gen Z is a SHORT generation! >:(  that's ridiculous! ;D

To be fair, their definition of Gen Y (1980-94) is also pretty short.

Also, from what I've heard, a "physical generation" (15-30 years) is different from a cultural/social generation. A social/cultural generation can be as short as 7 years, if things changed rapidly enough.

To be fair, their definition of Gen Y (1980-94) is also pretty short.

Also, from what I've heard, a "physical generation" (15-30 years) is different from a cultural/social generation. A social/cultural generation can be as short as 7 years, if things changed rapidly enough.


Y'all think Generation Y or Z is too short. A lot of sources will say Generation X ranges from 1965-1976 and will start Generation Y at 1977!!!! I'm not kidding! Talk about how short Generation X is. Which is a huge reason why Generation Y ends too early because of not only some damn ass Internet Explorer release cutoff date but also starting Y at 1977 as well, rather than 1980 or 1981 so Generation Y could be extended a little past 1994.

Y'all think Generation Y or Z is too short. A lot of sources will say Generation X ranges from 1965-1976 and will start Generation Y at 1977!!!! I'm not kidding! Talk about how short Generation X is. Which is a huge reason why Generation Y ends too early because of not only some damn ass Internet Explorer release cutoff date but also starting Y at 1977 as well, rather than 1980 or 1981 so Generation Y could be extended a little past 1994.

That's just.....STUPID! Gen X is 1965-1980/81ish, basically the 1999 class is the cutoff! 1977-1980/81 born are indeed Gen X, just cuspers!!

Let me introduce you to how I relate to Y or Z, I copied and pasted my thoughts on this from another site, the Generation Y vs. Generation Z stereotypes comparing these two videos. So here are my thoughts on this.

MybFlN0Vn3s

Generation Y, let's go.

Run–D.M.C.; 2Pac; Spice Girls; The Notorious Big; Sublime: I missed out on the music from these groups or people, because I was too young by the time they broke up, no longer in its prime, or died.

Britney Spears; Backstreet Boys; Ace of Base; Limp Bizkit; No Doubt; NSYNC; Korn: If some of us had older influence in the family, or was exposed very exclusively, we might have listened to the music throughout our earlier childhoods, or even middle childhoods depending on how long they were in their prime, but honestly I wasn't into the pop culture of music at that young of an age. I didn't start being aware of the music coming out on my own until around 2007. I was just a young kid doing kiddy stuff before I was 11 years old. There are exceptions though.

Will Smith, Lauryn Hill, Ricky Martin, Shania Twain (is this woman really 50 now!?), Missy Elliot, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Robyn, Sheryl Crow, Outkast, Robbie Williams, Dave Matthews, etc: Hmmmm, I'm confused on this one, some of these names are still active, I guess it depends on if you remember these artists or celebrities in their peak or prime when they were young, I'm going to assume in the 90's decade for that.

Sneakers, Neon Colors, Crop Tops, Euro Chic, Cargo Pants, Long Skirts, Platform Shoes, Hoodies, Bobs & Pixie Cuts, Skater Chic, Hip Hop Fashion, Jelly Shoes, Bomber Jackets, Knee Thigh Boots, Hipster, Leggings, Plaid Shirts: Ok lol, you know I'm not an expert on the fashion before I entered middle school, when I was a young kid I didn't give a sheesh about what I wore, I didn't care, but again, there are exceptions though.

Full House; The Fresh Prince of Bel Air; Clarissa Explains It All; Party of Five; Boy Meets World; Sister Sister; Are You Afraid of the Dark; Animaniacs; Saved by the Bell; Married with Children; Ducktales; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987); Batman: The Animated Series; Ren & Stimpy: I either didn't grow up with the original run or grew up with reruns, as you can tell lol, so these don't count for me obviously.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer; Dawson's Creek; Will & Grace; 7th Heaven; Sabrina the Teenage Witch; Friends; Daria: Now for these following shows, I wasn't in the target audience for many of these during its original run. However, if you were one of those who again had an older brother or sister who exposed you to these at a young age. Or if your parents somehow made you watch whatever you wanted to on TV. Then maybe it applies to you then.

South Park; Pokemon; Sesame Street: I grew up with all of these shows. So these apply to me 100%

Nickelodeon cartoons: It depends on which ones you're referring to. If it ran through the early 2000's, then it counts as apart of my childhood in my book. However, if they mean Nickelodeon's golden age in the mid 90's, then it doesn't apply to me then. Maybe Klaspy Ksupo nicktoons count but I'm not sure.

Harry Potter books were a huge part of my childhood, same with the movies as well. Goosebumps were really fun during my earlier elementary school years too, however, I don't know if I was alive when all the books debuted or not. However, I do know I was alive to witness books come out like Harry Potter of course, Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Inheritance Cycle, The Hunger Games, and Twilight series.

Titanic; Home Alone; Toy Story; The Matrix; Boogie Nights; American Beauty; Little Mermaid; Aladdin, Beauty & the Beast; Mean Girls; Jurassic Park; Princess Mononoke; Armageddon; Hook; Men In Black; Rushmore; The Land Before Time; Space Jam; Hocus Pocus; The Princess Bride; The Nightmare Before Christmas; Dumb & Dumber: All of these movies except for Mean Girls I'm either too young to remember or wasn't born yet.

Nintendo 64: People around my age have the right to claim they grew up with this, since with video games it's different.

Y2K; AOL; Digital Cameras; High Definition; The Internet; MP3 Player, DVD; Tickle Me Elmo; Instant Messaging; cell phones (flip phones); Online Multiplayer Games; Memory Cards; iPod; DVR; E-Mail; Netflix; Java: Alright, not bad at all. Although I can't remember Y2K though since I was still in my early childhood by the time New Years 2000 hit. Some of this like Netflix or DVR could be a description of what they're expecting current Y members' lives to be like now.

qypKjzUOhBM

Now for the Generation Z stereotypes. Born in 2005, well this person is a 2010's kid.

Well I was born in the same year the Summer Olympics occurred in Atlanta, GA in 1996, and since that's near my home town, I have pictures of me as a baby with my cousins, parents, aunts & uncles at many of the Olympic events. If that counts lol.

Apple revealed the iPhone when you were 2 years old, well Google was launched when I was 2 years old ;)

Belong to a Generation born with complete technology, would any of you say being born in the mid 90's is being born into complete technology, due to the internet BOOM being big at the time, thanks to Internet Explorer and Windows 95?

"We have PC's, smart phones, gaming devices, tablets, MP3 players, and the internet" That's true, however, I'd say what ever age you were when these came out is a huge factor. There were video games around before internet explorer was released, does that count?

"We naturally multi-task" "We text, read, watch, and walk at the same time, a skill that stuns the adults."
Oh hell no! Now I'm being honest folks this doesn't apply to me at all, I was hardly ever a really good multi-task person growing up.

Everybody from all generations can express their feelings, thoughts, and spread them through the world.

"In our lifetime, we will never send a single letter by mail."
I'm laughing hard at this one right now, what a big ass lie. Now yes e-mailing has become more of the standard now, but I learned about handwritten letters throughout elementary & middle school and how to indent them probably and use the right terms when speaking to business folks. Heck I hand wrote all of my high school graduation letters.

A lot of folks all ages spend a lot of time on social media nowadays, it depends on their job or how they manage their time wisely. Now back in the 90's to early/mid 2000's, I don't think people spent time on social media as much as they do today.

Terrible social skills? Well that depends on the particular person IMO. I understand how a lot of technology has changed the way people interact in society and we must learn how to control it in the right way and not the wrong way. Honestly if you're going into a business one day or have to lead a job, then you'll have to take Public Speaking class in college to overcome that fear, which I'm doing right now.

All these other stereotypes I'm seeing throughout this video that makes me scratch my head as well, just keep watching and you'll see.

Living with your parents until you're 45? I know people who commute in college and live with their parents a couple more years to save lots of money and have more manageable college classes, but living with parents that long. I've never heard of this.

I will meet my future wife on a dating website with plastic surgery and makeup...... ok this is going too far & crazy here.

Anyways, what do y'all think? Honestly, there's absolutely no way I can be pure Y, to me it looks like the core Y members were all born throughout the 80's. Just saying. Heck even some Y stereotypes some early 90's babies may not apply to. Also I feel like there are some pop cultural shows or movies that are missing that could be in the Y section too, but you know Z is going to forget about it. Since it's more of a Y/Z cusp thing. As for Generation Z, again, I can't apply to everything either. It's strange between stuck in that weird position. So overall, I consider myself as a Y/Z cusper. There needs to be some stereotypes separate for our own generation.


Many of those things that you mentioned are Generation X. Not Y. Whoever made this video is literally trying to claim things before their time. What really represents millennial pop culture best is the late '00s/early '10s period.

That's just.....STUPID! Gen X is 1965-1980/81ish, basically the 1999 class is the cutoff! 1977-1980/81 born are indeed Gen X, just cuspers!!


I believe that 1994-1997/98 born's are in the limbo as Y/Z cuspers kinda like how 1977-1980/81 born's are in a similar situation as X/Y cuspers.

I believe that 1994-1997/98 born's are in the limbo as Y/Z cuspers kinda like how 1977-1980/81 born's are in a similar situation as X/Y cuspers.

I feel as though the X/Y cusp is more like 1977-1984. Take this for example:
In a 2012 article for the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, George Masnick wrote that the "Census counted 82.1 million" Gen Xers in the U.S. The Harvard Center uses 1965 to 1984 to define Gen X so that Boomers, Xers and Millennials "cover equal 20-year age spans".

Also, I know it was meant for comedy, but in that video where Kevin Bacon explained the 80s to Millennials, he said they were born "after 1985". This indicates that those born around 82-84 may also feel like Gen X at times.