{"id":115447,"date":"2023-10-18T08:28:07","date_gmt":"2023-10-18T08:28:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com"},"modified":"2023-10-18T08:28:07","modified_gmt":"2023-10-18T08:28:07","slug":"genz-tech-shame-tech-phobia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/genz-tech-shame-tech-phobia","title":{"rendered":"Tech Shame: Gen Z Fears ‘Normal’ Technology More Than Gen X"},"content":{"rendered":"

Once upon a time, Gen Z’s mastery of the digital realm was hailed as second nature.<\/p>\n

Yet, a recent study by staffing agency LaSalle Network shows that a staggering half of graduate entrants into the workforce feel technologically unprepared – giving rise to the concept of tech shame and a generational tech gap.<\/p>\n

20% of Gen Z workers feel judgement when they are faced with experiencing technical difficulties, compared to only 4% in older generations, according to an HP survey.<\/p>\n

And when in that situation, Gen Z employees are ten times more likely than their older colleagues to experience a personal sense of shame in this situation.<\/p>\n

One of the reasons? In the way that new technology can sometimes baffle older generations, Gen Z has the reverse \u2014 no exposure to older technologies.<\/p>\n

Enter the term: “tech shame”.<\/p>\n

But why is the most digital-savvy generation grappling with tech fear?<\/p>\n

Understanding Tech Shame: A New Phenomenon?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Coined by HP, tech shame captures the feeling of inadequacy younger workers feel when handling basic office tools<\/a> (PDF).<\/p>\n

But, this is hardly a Gen Z-exclusive sentiment – people have experienced it whenever a new gadget entered the workspace.<\/p>\n

The real conundrum: why is it hitting Gen Z harder? Let’s unpack Gen Z’s tech dilemma.<\/p>\n