Who in the World Is Generation Z? The Rise of Mobile Natives and Their Socio-Technological Identity

Generation Z is a widely used term in both public and academic discourse, yet its definition remains ambiguous, particularly regarding the factors distinguishing it from its predecessor, Generation Y. Adopting a socio-technological perspective, this article proposes a clear generational boundary, those born after 1995, and introduces the concept of “mobile natives” to define Generation Z as a technologically distinct generation in relation to both its predecessor and successor. Unlike previous cohorts, the formative years of this generation were marked by early and continuous exposure, beginning in childhood, to mobile technologies, making the mobile phone the most influential technological experience shaping their identity. Drawing on statistical surveys and previous research, we demonstrate how this shift in the age of mobile adoption differentiates Generation Z from earlier cohorts in terms of socialization patterns, communication practices, and cultural orientations. By framing Generation Z as mobile natives, the article contributes a conceptual and empirically grounded framework for understanding the socio-technological identity of this generation. These findings have important implications for analyzing digital transformation, as well as for understanding the technological, familial, and social habits and traits that characterize this generation in an increasingly connected world.