Next Gen’s Top Tips: Advice from High Schoolers
Chloe from Fresh Start recently invited high school students from across the region to chat about life as the next generation. With Gen Z (1997-2012) growing up and Gen Alpha on the horizon, these young voices are gearing up to take on the world. They shared their thoughts on everything that matters, from social media and evolving mindsets to how communication looks today.
-
Hamish and Angus, Year 12,
St Phillips Christian Collage
-
Monique and Anton, Year 11,
Hunter Christian School
-
Riley and Lily, Year 11,
Hunter Christian Schoo
l -
Siuti and Lachlan-Year 12 Student Leaders
Hunter Christian School
-
Ebony and Caleb, Year 12,
Avondale School
-
Emily and Divan, Year 12,
Medowie Christian School
Below are the Next Gens’ Top Tips: Advice from High Schoolers:
The Impact of Social Media
“We are forced to grow up quicker because of the social media influence”
– Hamish, SPCC
If you could choose to rid the world of social media, would you?
“I’d say no social media”
– Anton and Monique, HCS
“It’s shaped the way I view the world, informed me on how the world works”
– Siuti, HCS
“If I could, I probably would grow up without it”
– Divan, Medowie Christian
“I deleted TikTok, it would take up too much of my time. The average time spent on a TikTok is 2-5 seconds… you have this whole generation whose attention span is 2-5 seconds now”
– Lachlan, HCS
“With phones, young people are lacking purpose… now I feel like you can get lost in the abyss of scrolling and nothingness…”
– Caleb, Avondale
What Might the Future Look Like
“I think especially with AI it is going to grow so fast and accelerate. It may go out of control, but we will learn how to control it again”
– Siuti-, HCS
“I think progress in general will slow down. Massive inventions have changed society in the last 50 years… we will see electric cars, AI”
– Lachlan HCS
“I want to look back and say: I was happy, I didn’t regret anything, I did what I wanted to do, I lived my life to the fullest”
– Emily, Medowie Christian
Changes in Communication
“Our generation doesn’t remember (the positive encouragement) as much as the negative comments… they stick with you more”
– Emily, Medowie Christian
“Because of COVID, some of us have grown up conditioned to be online so we haven’t built the skills”-
Siuti, HCS
“I think we look at the bigger picture. We are happy to speak up”
– Angus, SPCC
Changes in Mindset
“Things that were set in stone, we can change it and break it down”-
Hamish, SPCC
“How much mental health matters now”-
Monique, HCS
“I think you have to be open to seeing the ways different things can be interpreted”
-Siuti, HCS
“I think people who grew up in 2010-2020… new ideas have been brought in… there’s a certain amount of people (in this age group) that are not willing to change”
– Lachlan HCS
Advice for and from Other Generations
“Be yourself, be true to yourself. Be who you want to be and don’t worry about what people think. Find your people”
– Angus, SPCC
“(The older generation)
can be really encouraging, and some that are straightforward and say stuff that is blunt… I feel like it helps us get a different type of thinking… they speak the truth, and even if it’s blunt, you have to take it on board”-
Divan, Medowie Christian
“Every single teacher I have had has just inspired me to be better, and has always pushed me”
– Riley, HCS
“I think older generations have more wisdom and encouragement to give… they are always sweet and lovely… they so sweet and don’t even know it”
– Emily, Medowie Christian
As Chloe reflected on a week with the next-gen, she said:
I had an incredible time chatting with Year 11 and 12 students from across the Hunter Valley during Next Gen Week. Their earnestness and thoughtfulness regarding the issues their generation faces were both heartwarming and, to be honest- occasionally surprising.
My key takeaway from these conversations is that in 2024
, young people are eager to confront challenging issues.
They have no patience for anything superficial; they are in search of truth. This
deeply encourages me
because I know where the unshakeable source of truth lies: in Jesus.
Let’s pray for our young people.
Let’s genuinely listen to their frustrations, doubts, hopes, and fears—and provide them with honest answers, even when they are difficult. Together, let’s empower the next generation to lead the church and the kingdom of God into
a new and unprecedented era.
Written by: Rhema Newcastle