There’s a huge gap between baby boomers and their Gen Z grandchildren.

It seems like baby boomers and Gen Z are from different planets, let alone different generations.

Baby boomers often find themselves lost in the rapid changes of today’s digital world, where their Gen Z grandchildren are natives.

Understanding Gen Z can feel like trying to learn a new language for many baby boomers.

Still, there are certain aspects of this generation that will forever remain alien to them.

Here are eight things that baby boomers will simply never understand about their Gen Z grandchildren.

1) Digital natives

As a baby boomer, you might remember when the first television set entered your home.

It was a revolution, a technological achievement that brought the world closer.

Now, enter the world of Gen Z. They’ve been born into a world where technology isn’t just a tool, it’s an inherent part of life.

From smartphones to iPads, social media to online gaming – they’re digital natives.

For baby boomers, understanding this digital fluency can be like trying to learn a foreign language later in life.

The ease and speed at which Gen Z navigate technology will always be a marvel to their grandparents. 

2) Physical media vs. streaming

I recall the days when I’d hop onto my bicycle, rush to the local video store with a pocket full of change, to rent a movie for the weekend.

The joy of browsing through those shelves, the frustration when the movie you wanted was already rented out – it was all part of the experience.

But for my Gen Z grandson, this concept is completely alien. He carries around a world of entertainment in his pocket.

He streams music and movies on demand, with no waiting or disappointment involved.

I’ve tried explaining the charm of physical media – the thrill of flipping through vinyl records at a music store, or the satisfaction of watching your favorite show on a DVD set you own.

But to him, it’s all a bit too antiquated.

He can’t wrap his head around why anyone would prefer these ‘outdated’ methods over instant, digital access.

And truth be told, I find it hard to argue against the convenience he enjoys.

3) Privacy concerns

Gen Z is often criticized for their apparent lack of concern for privacy.

They willingly share their lives on social media, from what they had for breakfast to their latest relationship status.

Gen Z-ers are also worried about maintaining their privacy online. But this worry doesn’t translate into fewer posts or less sharing.

It’s a paradoxical behavior that baby boomers find hard to understand.

4) The power of social media

To baby boomers, social media might seem like a tool for sharing holiday snaps or connecting with old friends.

But for Gen Z, it’s so much more.

It’s a platform for activism, education, and self-expression. It’s their news source, their job hunting ground, and their networking space.

It’s a world where they can build communities, raise their voices and make a real difference.

For many baby boomers, understanding this multifaceted role of social media in their grandchildren’s lives can be perplexing.

5) The urgency of climate change

Growing up, we heard about climate change. But it was often talked about as a distant concern, something for future generations to deal with.

For us, it was about reducing litter, saving water, and maybe planting a tree or two.

But for Gen Z, climate change is an urgent, immediate problem. They are the ones marching in the streets, staging school strikes, and demanding swift action.

They see their future hanging in the balance and they’re not willing to sit back and wait.

For baby boomers, this intensity of concern can be difficult to fully comprehend.

It’s a stark reminder of how much the world has changed and how much is at stake for their grandchildren.

6) Constant connectivity

The other day, I found my Gen Z granddaughter sitting alone, completely engrossed in her phone.

I asked her if she was okay and she cheerfully replied, “I’m hanging out with my friends.”

She was video chatting with a group of her buddies, all of them in their respective homes but connected through their screens.

This constant connectivity, the ability to be alone yet together, is a phenomenon I find hard to grasp.

For me, friendship was about physical presence, about shared experiences in the real world.

But for her, screens don’t limit friendships; they expand them. It’s a stark contrast that highlights the generational divide between us.

7) The gig economy

For baby boomers, a successful career often meant climbing the corporate ladder in a stable, full-time job.

The idea of job security and a steady paycheck was deeply ingrained in our generation.

But Gen Z is navigating a dramatically different job market. They are stepping into the gig economy – a world of freelancing, side hustles, and flexible work schedules.

They value freedom, creativity, and the ability to pursue multiple interests.

This shift in work culture can seem risky and unstable from a baby boomer’s perspective, making it yet another aspect of Gen Z life that they find hard to understand.

8) Activism and social justice

Gen Z is not just a generation of tech-savvy digital natives.

They’re also a generation of activists. They are passionate about social justice and are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in.

They are more diverse, more inclusive, and more vocal about their demands for equality and justice than any generation before them.

This level of engagement and activism is not something that was common in the baby boomer era, making it a profound difference that may be difficult for some baby boomers to fully understand or appreciate.

Final thoughts: Bridging the gap

The divide between baby boomers and their Gen Z grandchildren may seem vast, marked by different values, habits, and experiences.

But it’s essential to remember that each generation grows up in unique circumstances, shaped by the world they inherit.

While boomers reminisce about a simpler time without the constant hum of technology, Gen Z navigates a digital world that’s second nature to them.

It’s as if they’re dancing to a rhythm that their grandparents can’t hear.

But beneath these differences, there lies a common thread – the human experience.

It’s about growth, change, and the relentless march of time.

It’s about passing the baton from one generation to the next, each trying to make sense of their place in the world.

So while there might be things baby boomers will never understand about their Gen Z grandchildren, it’s this understanding of life’s constant evolution that bridges the gap.

It’s not always easy, but it’s undeniably human.

And at the end of the day, isn’t that what connection is all about?