At a glance
Notable context
- Generation Z is frequently shortened to Gen Z or Zoomers.
- Most members have never known a world without widespread internet access.
- The range 1997 through 2012 is widely used, especially in U.S. research.
Position in time
Generations timeline
The highlighted period shows where Generation Z sits among the commonly used modern generation ranges.
Generation Z commonly refers to people born from 1997 to 2012. For much of this cohort, high-speed internet, smartphones, streaming media, and social platforms were established parts of daily life from an early age.
Its members experienced childhood or adolescence during rapid digital change and the COVID-19 pandemic. Gen Z is a useful shorthand for this broad historical setting, but it does not erase major differences in access, culture, and opportunity.
Use the label as a starting point for historical context rather than a complete description of any individual. Birth-year ranges also differ between researchers and publications.
Want to explore this subject in more depth?
Read about Generation Z on Wikipedia