A Channel 4 study has found that Generation Z are less tolerant than their elders. Generation Z is a demographic term for people born in the period between the late 90’s and early 2010’s.
The survey found that people aged 13 to 24 could be considered “less liberal” than earlier generations as they were “less tolerant” of the views of others.
According to The Times:
It follows the highly charged debate over transgender issues, which has involved the author JK Rowling, among others, being criticised for her belief that biological sex is immutable.
Alex Mahon, Channel 4’s chief executive, said the group does not “believe in unrestrained free speech” and were “more censorious than their elders” about removing offensive material.
They did so “in support of people they see as vulnerable”, she said, which was likely to be “a completely rational response to the online world we have”, in a reference to polarising social media.
Mahon said: “Young people could be said to be less liberal because they are less tolerant of the views of others than their parents and grandparents — surely a novelty.
“There is an obvious paradox between this intolerance and their genuinely stated desires for everyone to have their rights and freedoms defended.
“This is probably a completely rational response to the confusing online world in which they live, but is it either what they want for themselves or what those who love them want on their behalf?”
The study, titled Beyond Z, polled more than 1,500 people, including those aged 13 to 24 and those aged over 25.
