Every generation has its unique fears that are informed by the times they grew up in.
Boomers had their fair share of worries — Cold War tensions, rotary phone etiquette, and making sure their cassette tapes didn’t unravel (the struggle was real!). But Gen Z is dealing with a completely different world, full of challenges their grandparents couldn’t have imagined. Here are just a few of the things Gen Z is afraid of that Boomers never had to worry about, thank goodness.
1. Accidentally sending a message to the wrong group chat
Group chats are a staple of Gen Z life, but they come with the constant fear of sending something embarrassing to the wrong thread. Whether it’s a rant about a friend that lands in their inbox or a meme meant for close mates sent to your boss, the stakes are high. Boomers never had to deal with this level of digital anxiety — they just passed handwritten notes and hoped for the best.
2. Being “cancelled” over an old tweet
The internet never forgets, and Gen Z knows it. The fear of being “cancelled” for something they said (or liked) years ago is ever-present. Whether it’s a questionable opinion from primary school or a meme that hasn’t aged well, the idea of their past coming back to haunt them is a real source of stress. Boomers, meanwhile, lived in a blissful pre-social media bubble where mistakes stayed private.
3. Crippling student loan debt
While Boomers may have been able to cover their living costs for the year with summer job earnings, for Gen Z, the rising cost of living is making uni more expensive than ever. Tuition fees, though lower than in places like the US, are still significant, and the financial pressure of student loans looms large for many. It’s tough when the idea of juggling student debt with career plans makes the future feel uncertain, especially as living costs rise faster than many can keep up with.
4. Getting ghosted after a seemingly perfect date
Dating in the digital age comes with its own set of anxieties, and ghosting tops the list. One minute, everything’s going great; the next, your texts are left on “read” forever. Boomers didn’t have to deal with this — they either got a call back or they didn’t, and everyone moved on without the endless speculation of “what did I do wrong?”
5. Their phone dying at the worst possible moment
Source: Unsplash For Gen Z, a dead phone isn’t just inconvenient — it’s terrifying. It means no navigation, no communication, and, worst of all, no memes. Boomers? They didn’t have phones to die in the first place. They just carried maps and had backup quarters for payphones. Different times, different problems.
6. Algorithms deciding their fate
Whether it’s the Instagram algorithm tanking their engagement or TikTok deciding their content isn’t worth pushing, Gen Z lives at the mercy of mysterious digital formulas. Boomers never had to deal with an algorithm sabotaging their personal brand or career dreams — they just relied on word of mouth and good old-fashioned effort.
7. Being publicly shamed for a bad take
The fear of going viral for all the wrong reasons is very real for Gen Z. One misstep online — an unpopular opinion or an offhand comment — can unleash a tsunami of criticism. Boomers never had to worry about this level of public scrutiny; their debates were confined to kitchen tables, not X (formerly known as Twitter) threads.
8. Climate change anxiety
While environmental issues existed for Boomers, Gen Z is growing up with a much harsher reality. Rising sea levels, unpredictable weather, and dire warnings about the planet’s future are front and centre in their lives. The constant pressure to “do their part” while grappling with systemic issues makes eco-anxiety a defining generational fear.
9. Having their job replaced by AI
Gen Z is entering the workforce with the unsettling reality that artificial intelligence might outpace them. Whether it’s AI writers, automated customer service, or delivery drones, the thought of being deemed obsolete by a robot looms large. Boomers, on the other hand, only had to worry about new hires, not shiny machines.
10. Being accidentally tagged in a photo they hate
In a world where everything is photographed and shared online, Gen Z lives in constant fear of unflattering photos making the rounds. A bad angle or goofy expression can haunt them forever. Boomers never had to worry about this—they just kept embarrassing photo albums safely hidden at home.
11. Overthinking every text reply
How many exclamation points are too many? Should they use an emoji or keep it professional? Is “k” too abrupt? Texting etiquette is a minefield, and Gen Z spends far too much time agonising over the nuances of digital communication. Boomers? They wrote letters, and it was a one-and-done situation — no overthinking required.
12. Influencers setting impossible standards
Source: Unsplash From flawless skin to picture-perfect lifestyles, influencers on social media can make anyone feel inadequate. Gen Z is bombarded with curated perfection every day, which can make real life feel dull by comparison. Boomers were spared this — they measured success by milestones, not Instagram likes.
13. FOMO (fear of missing out)
Social media has made it impossible to ignore what everyone else is doing, and Gen Z often feels the sting of FOMO. Whether it’s a party, a concert, or even just brunch, the fear of being left out is amplified when it’s all over their feeds. Boomers had “you had to be there” stories, but at least they weren’t broadcast to everyone in real time.
14. Living in a world where “going viral” is always possible
Source: Unsplash The idea of becoming internet-famous sounds exciting until you realise it can happen for the most random and embarrassing reasons. For Gen Z, every moment is a potential viral sensation, for better or worse. Boomers lived blissfully unaware of such possibilities — embarrassing moments were fleeting, not eternal.
