Opinion — Social media’s ageist conversation is exhausting
TikTokers are currently discussing how and why Gen Z are ‘rapidly ageing’ compared to their Millennial peers. The conversation is symptomatic of a wider generational obsession with age, life milestones, and external societal pressures. The whole thing is draining.
If you’re an avid TikTok or Instagram Reel user, you’ve probably seen some discussion around Gen Z ageing faster than their older Millennial peers this week.
There’s been viral conversation over Gen Z beauty standards, lifestyle practices, and attitudes toward getting older in general, both on social media platforms and via traditional media.
Various publications — such as FEMAIL and Marie Claire — have given insight into why they believe younger people are looking older than their years, blaming excessive skin care products and misinformation as the primary cause.
Other outlets have instead focused attention on Gen Z’s seeming obsession with turning thirty. It appears to be a life milestone that invigorates genuine dread in some younger people, with a few commenters stating they’d ‘unalive’ themselves for fear of becoming a ‘hag’.
