A 21-year-old in 2026 (born in 2004/2005) is in Generation Z (often called Zoomers). Gen Z generally includes people born between 1997 and 2012, making a 21-year-old a core, younger member of this generation. They are known as "digital natives" who grew up with smartphones and social media.
The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines Generation Z as "the generation of people born in the late 1990s and early 2000s". The Oxford Dictionaries define Generation Z as "the group of people who were born between the late 1990s and the early 2010s, who are regarded as being very familiar with the internet".
Generation Z refers to people born between 1996 and 2010. They're the second-youngest generation, between millennials and Generation Alpha. Gen Z identity has been shaped by the digital age, climate anxiety, a shifting financial landscape, and COVID-19.
The four most commonly discussed generations today, moving from oldest to youngest, are Baby Boomers (1946-1964), Generation X (1965-1980), Millennials (Gen Y, 1981-1996), and Generation Z (1997-2012), with the newer Generation Alpha (2010s-mid-2020s) following Gen Z, all defined by distinct cultural and technological experiences shaping their values and behaviors.
Generation Z (Gen Z) refers to people born between 1997 and 2012, making them roughly 13 to 28 years old in early 2026, though exact years can vary slightly by source, with this cohort succeeding Millennials and preceding Generation Alpha. They are known as digital natives, growing up with the internet, smartphones, and social media as established parts of life, influencing their unique perspectives and behaviors.
Generation Alpha's age range is generally considered to be from 2010 to 2024, though some sources vary slightly, placing the start as early as 2009 or 2011 and the end as 2025, making them the children of Millennials (Gen Y) and the younger siblings of Gen Z. As of early 2026, members of Gen Alpha range from infants to about 15 or 16 years old, and they are the first generation to grow up entirely in the 21st century, profoundly shaped by technology, the pandemic, and digital immersion.
For Gen Z, the 😭 (Loudly Crying Face) emoji usually means something is overwhelmingly funny, cute, or heartwarming, signifying "crying with laughter" or extreme emotion, rather than actual sadness, often replacing older emojis like 😂 (Tears of Joy) or the skull emoji 💀 for laughter. It conveys intense, often positive, feelings that are so powerful they bring on tears, showing they are "dead" from laughing or being touched.
Donald Trump, born in June 1946, falls squarely into the Baby Boomer generation (typically 1946-1964) as one of the first individuals in that cohort, while President Joe Biden, born in 1942, is a member of the preceding Silent Generation (roughly 1928-1946). Trump's birth year places him at the very beginning of the Baby Boom era, making him a Boomer, not Silent Generation.
That is why the generations today each span 15 years with Generation Y (Millennials) born from 1980 to 1994; Generation Z from 1995 to 2009 and Generation Alpha from 2010 to 2024. And so it follows that Generation Beta will be born from 2025 to 2039.
Gen Y became Millennials because authors William Strauss and Neil Howe coined the term "Millennials" in the early 1990s, recognizing this cohort would reach adulthood around the year 2000 (the new millennium) and distinguishing them as a unique group with distinct experiences, especially concerning technology and upbringing, making the "Gen Y" placeholder less descriptive. "Gen Y" was just the next letter after Gen X, but "Millennial" better captured their defining cultural moment, becoming the dominant term in media and common usage.
Bae – Boyfriend or girlfriend.
Social Issues
Zoomers (Generation Z) are people born between 1997 and 2012, making them approximately 13 to 28 years old in 2025, a digitally native cohort that followed Millennials and precedes Generation Alpha, known for growing up with the internet and smartphones.
The Silent Generation (born roughly 1928-1945) is called "silent" because they were raised during tough times (Great Depression, WWII) and matured during the conformity-driven, anti-communist McCarthy era, leading them to be more traditional, cautious, and less rebellious than previous or subsequent generations, preferring to work within the system rather than challenge it. The name was coined in a 1951 Time magazine article highlighting their quiet, conformist nature compared to their "flaming youth" parents, emphasizing their desire to be seen and not heard.
While the dates are still a bit up in the air (some argue that the oldest Zoomers were born in 1995), the Pew Research Center defines members of Gen Z as anyone born between 1997 and 2012. That means the group spans ages 13 to 28 as of 2025.
Yes, "Gen Zers" (or "Gen Z-ers") is a correct and widely used informal term for people in Generation Z, following the pattern of "Gen Xers" and "Millennials" (Gen Yers), though "Zoomers" is also a popular alternative, and "members of Gen Z" is more formal.
The Silent Generation (Born 1928–1945)
The silent generation famously got their name for being so conformist that they were silent through the MacCarthy era when the fear of Communism swept the country.1 During this era, kids were expected to earn their way through life using a strong work ethic.
Many believe that the issue arose from one thing that uniquely characterizes the Gen Alpha environment: a heavy reliance on technology. Not only are children being handed access to the Internet at a critically developmental age, but they are also growing up lacking proper social interaction as a consequence.
Gen Z values the ability to work where and when they are most productive. Many cite that rigid office hours clash with their need for balance and personal time. Flexible work environments allow them to prioritize their mental health and professional development without the need to sacrifice one for the other.
Recent research shows that members of the Baby Boomer generation have worse health than previous generations did at the same ages—diabetes, heart disease and other chronic illnesses are more common.
There's no single "toughest" generation, as each faces unique struggles, but Generation X (born 1965-1980) is often cited as the most stressed due to balancing work, family, and finances while facing economic uncertainty, yet they also show high resilience, while younger generations like Gen Z grapple with unprecedented housing costs and climate anxiety, making the definition of "tough" subjective and dependent on the specific challenges faced.
Bill Clinton is an American politician from Arkansas who served as the 42nd President of the United States (1993-2001). He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first baby-boomer generation President.
The 👁️👄👁️ emoji from a girl usually means she's speechless, surprised, or witnessing something awkward, funny, or unbelievable, expressing a "can't believe this" vibe, often with resignation like "it is what it is," or sometimes a slightly judgmental "wow, okay" without being overtly mean, just observing. It's versatile for awkward situations, shocking truths, or when something is so wild you don't know what to say.
"Salty" describes someone feeling upset, jealous, or annoyed, often about someone else's success or good fortune.
What does 💃 Dancer emoji mean? The dancer emoji is a sexy, confident woman used to tell folks that you are ready to party, are cool and carefree, or are a confident, fun loving lady. It can also indicate a general celebratory mood.