"Kids Don't Leave Their Rooms"... Gen Z Chooses 'Grandma Life' Over All-Night Drinking Parties [The World is Z Gold]

Young People Choose Staying In Over Parties
Similar Trends Emerge in the US After the UK
Smartphones and Self-Care Culture Drive the Shift

Editor's NoteGeneration Z (those born from the late 1990s to the early 2010s) is gaining attention as a generation that leads culture and trends in a rapidly changing era, setting new standards across society. In [The World is Z Gold], we shed light on the lives and values of Generation Z around the world and explore how they are transforming society.

A lifestyle of avoiding gatherings and spending time alone at home is spreading, especially among younger people. Instead of going out late at night to enjoy drinks, more young people are choosing to stay home and focus on self-care-a phenomenon that has led to the emergence of the new term "GrandmaEra."

7 out of 10 Gen Z in the UK "Do Not Go Out for Several Days"

The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Getty Images Bank

According to a recent survey conducted by the British Columbia Tourism Board in Canada among 2,000 British adults, 67% of Generation Z respondents said they "stay at home for several days without going out." More than half (57%) of Millennials gave the same response, and 43% of parents pointed out that "today's children spend less time outdoors than they did in their own childhood."

The main cause of this trend is cited as the increase in screen time, such as smartphones and TVs. According to Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, the average daily screen time for British adults was just 1 hour and 36 minutes in 2013, but last year it rose to 4 hours and 20 minutes. In particular, 48% of respondents aged 16 to 24 said, "I spend too much time on social networking services (SNS)," compared to only 8% of those aged 65 and older.

Pixabay

The British daily newspaper The Independent analyzed, "The issue is not simply the increase in screen time, but the fact that now, through apps, people can manage almost every aspect of their lives without stepping outside their homes." It added, "People order food through delivery apps, feel a false sense of connection through SNS, enjoy light excitement through dating apps, and consume millions of pieces of content on platforms like Netflix and YouTube. With the spread of remote work added to this, we are now in an era where there is virtually no need to leave the house." Ultimately, the development of various digital services has greatly reduced the need to go out compared to the past.

The Term 'GrandmaEra' Emerges on TikTok

Searching for 'GrandmaEra' on TikTok brings up a variety of posts in succession. TikTok

Online, the new term "GrandmaEra" has emerged, reflecting the characteristics of Generation Z. This term likens a lifestyle of spending quiet time at home, rather than enjoying lively nightlife such as parties or drinking, to "living like a grandmother." On TikTok, the hashtag "#GrandmaEra" has been used more than 20 million times, spreading rapidly. Related videos mainly show people focusing on self-care and hobbies such as baking, playing the piano, self-care routines, and gardening instead of going out.

Some view this as a positive change that emphasizes well-being, but there are also concerns that excessive self-care may lead to social isolation. Daisy Jones, editor at British Vogue, said, "For many people, 'self-care' is essentially used to mean staying at home and not meeting anyone," adding, "In recent years, this culture of self-care has become noticeably more pronounced."

"Gen Z Avoids Parties, Chooses Coffee Over Alcohol"

Pixabay

A similar trend is unfolding in the United States. In June, the New York Post highlighted the new culture of Generation Z in an article titled, "Gen Z Avoids Nightlife, Now Plans 'Morning Raves' with Espresso Instead of Vodka." Morning rave refers to a party held in the morning, where people gather early to drink coffee, dance, and socialize-a new trend among young people.

The outlet reported, "Generation Z has entered the 'GrandmaEra' somewhat early," adding, "They are choosing early mornings over late nights, and coffee over alcohol. Generation Z no longer wants to enjoy parties as people did in the past."

The situation is not much different in South Korea. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the culture of gatherings has shrunk, and social interaction activities are on the decline. According to Statistics Korea, participation in social organizations last year was 52.3%, a decrease of 5.9 percentage points from 58.2% in 2023. By age group, those in their 50s had the highest participation rate at 59.0%, while those in their 20s had the lowest at 49.0%.