People who were 70’s kids never needed these 10 things that Gen Z relies on

I remember sharing a latte with a close colleague of mine, listening to them reminisce about growing up in the 1970s.

They had a sparkle in their eye whenever they described roller-skating around the neighborhood or writing letters to stay in touch with old friends.

Every detail felt so different from my own experience, and it made me curious about how much our daily lives have changed in just a few decades.

This piece explores ten things that Gen Z depends on today—ten things that never even crossed the minds of those who grew up in the 70s.

I’m not one to judge whether that’s good or bad.

Instead, I hope to spark a bit of reflection on how technology, communication, and culture influence what we consider “essential.”

Along the way, I’ll share a few insights I’ve gained through my meditation practice and research in psychology.

I believe there’s always value in pausing to understand why we do what we do and whether it truly serves us.

1. Social media

When I think about social media, I see two sides.

One side connects us, bridging distances and allowing for friendships that span continents.

The other side can foster comparison, self-doubt, and the endless chase for likes and validation.

Back in the 70s, no one was agonizing over how many followers they had because the concept simply didn’t exist.

If you wanted to talk to someone, you’d call their landline or walk to their home. Instant gratification didn’t hinge on likes.

According to research, an average teenager in the United States now spends several hours a day scrolling through social feeds.

That might sound alarming to people who vividly recall a time when a phone was just a phone.

Still, there’s no denying that social media offers new ways to form communities.

For me, it’s a reminder to engage mindfully and decide whether all that scrolling aligns with my desire for a simpler, more intentional life.

2. Smartphones

Seventies kids didn’t stroll around with little pocket-sized computers that doubled as cameras, GPS devices, music players, and alarm clocks.

They had payphones on street corners and addresses jotted down in notebooks.

Calling someone was a planned event; you’d dial carefully and hope they picked up.

It was a slower, more deliberate way of communicating.

Today, a smartphone feels like an extension of our bodies.

If we forget it at home, we might race back to grab it—or feel unsettled the entire day.

I’m not pointing fingers. I rely on my own phone for everything from tracking daily tasks to sending birthday messages.

I have to be mindful of how frequently I reach for it. A quick check to see the time can morph into half an hour of aimless browsing.

I often ask myself whether I’m using my phone or my phone is using me. That small reflection helps me stay in control, rather than the other way around.

3. Curated news feeds

It’s a running joke among people who grew up in the 70s that the only “news feeds” they knew about were the nightly TV reports and the morning paper.

There was no such thing as algorithms customizing headlines to your interests.

You either watched the news at 6 p.m. or read the paper over breakfast.

Now, news is instant, constant, and very specific.

If you click on certain topics, your feed is immediately populated with more of the same.

Experts suggest that hyper-personalized news consumption can create an echo chamber, limiting our exposure to diverse viewpoints.

Seventies kids didn’t have to worry about living in a bubble curated by artificial intelligence.

Many of them heard the same stories at the same time as everyone else, and then formed their own opinions.

I sometimes wonder if we’re losing something by not collectively pausing and reflecting on a single newscast.

I’m learning to mix up my sources and question whether my feed is shaping my worldview too narrowly.

4. Real-time texting

Text messaging today is so ingrained in our interactions that we barely think about it.

People in the 70s relied on face-to-face conversations, phone calls, or handwritten notes.

Nobody anticipated a world where “lol,” “omg,” and emojis would become everyday language.

Real-time texting has turned communication into a rapid-fire exchange, with little room for reflection before hitting “send.”

I notice that I sometimes text people instead of calling them because it feels quicker and easier.

It’s a wonderful convenience, yet it can also create misunderstandings.

A typed phrase has no tone, no facial expression, no comforting warmth.

I occasionally challenge myself to pick up the phone and actually talk.

That might feel outdated, but it’s amazing how a direct conversation can resolve confusion in seconds.

5. Online shopping

Ordering with a click and having it arrive in a matter of days— or hours—has transformed daily life.

In the 70s, you’d hop in your car or walk to the store.

Shopping was more tangible.

You could see, hold, and test things before deciding if they were worth your money.

Today, we scroll through endless items, read reviews, and hit “buy.”

I had my own struggle with online shopping when I first discovered the joy of free returns and digital coupons.

Minimalism changed that.

Now I pause to consider:

• Do I truly need this, or is it an impulse?

• Does it align with my lifestyle and values?

• Is there a simpler or more sustainable alternative?

These bullet points keep me from filling my cart recklessly.

In a world where convenience reigns, a brief moment of mindfulness can make all the difference.

6. GPS navigation

If you were a 70s kid, reading a paper map wasn’t optional— it was the only way to navigate unfamiliar territory.

You’d mark your route, keep an eye on the road signs, and make the occasional wrong turn.

Today, Gen Z can’t fathom driving without voice-guided GPS.

I see the appeal.

It’s stress-free, and it rarely leads you astray, but it also means we might lose our sense of direction.

Researchers once covered the topic of “cognitive offloading,” which refers to the act of letting technology handle tasks we’d normally do with our brains.

We’re gradually delegating our sense of direction to an app.

When I travel, I try to rely on memory or street signs for part of the journey, just to keep my navigational instincts sharp.

7. On-demand entertainment

Seventies kids grew up with scheduled TV and maybe a trip to the movies on weekends.

The experience of waiting for your favorite show created excitement.

Nowadays, everything is on demand.

You don’t even have to wait for the next episode— you can binge a whole season in one sitting.

It’s an incredible luxury, but that immediate gratification can dull our appreciation for patient enjoyment.

I love a good documentary, and sometimes I’ll watch two or three episodes in one go.

But I’ve realized that stepping away, reflecting, or discussing what I watched can deepen my experience.

In the 70s, conversations had a certain anticipation to them— you’d wait a week to see the next twist, then gather around with friends to talk it over.

Perhaps there’s a bit of magic in restraint.

8. Influencer culture

You won’t find 70s kids who grew up dreaming about becoming social media influencers.

That role didn’t exist.

You aspired to be a teacher, a firefighter, or maybe a rock star, but not someone who earns money posting pictures of daily outfits or brand partnerships.

Today’s Gen Z is inundated with influencers promoting everything from skincare routines to travel hacks.

It can be inspirational, but it can also put pressure on viewers to measure up to curated online lives.

I recall reading an idea from Brené Brown: “Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.”

So much of influencer culture relies on appearing perfect, and that means vulnerability isn’t always part of the package.

I think we can learn from the 70s approach— celebrating authenticity.

If we choose to follow influencers, maybe we can engage with the ones who feel genuine and transparent about their imperfections.

9. Cloud storage

In the 70s, if you wanted to preserve a family photo, you made sure to keep the negatives safe or store the prints in an album.

There was no concept of digital backups in the cloud.

Today, everything from photos to important files gets uploaded and stored remotely.

It’s convenient, and I often appreciate how quickly I can access my work from any device.

But it also introduces a new form of dependence.

If a server goes down or a password is forgotten, it can feel like losing a chunk of your life.

That’s a fragile system to rely on.

Seventies kids didn’t carry that silent worry.

They had tangible copies.

Holding a physical photo is a sensory experience, and maybe there’s some wisdom in blending the old with the new— keep digital backups, but also print out a few favorites for safekeeping.

10. Instant mental health resources

Mental health support in the 70s often took the form of close-knit communities, family doctors, or a few available hotlines.

Therapy wasn’t widely discussed, and resources were sometimes hard to find.

Fast forward to Gen Z.

They can open an app and speak to a licensed therapist within hours, or join online forums for peer support.

It’s a massive shift, one I’ve watched with both optimism and caution.

As someone who practices yoga and meditation, I appreciate how easily we can share wellness tools with one another now.

We’re also living in an era with skyrocketing rates of anxiety and depression, so instant access can be vital.

Still, part of me wonders if the sense of community from earlier generations had its own healing power.

When neighbors or relatives looked after each other, you didn’t have to schedule help— it was woven into everyday life.

Perhaps the best approach is a balance: using modern technology for immediate assistance while also nurturing real-world relationships that keep us grounded.

Final thoughts

We’re almost done, but this piece can’t be overlooked: everything new brings fresh opportunities and fresh challenges.

Each generation has its own way of adapting, and Gen Z has certainly embraced a digital world that 70s kids could never have imagined.

At the same time, it might be worth asking whether instant solutions and constant connectivity truly make life better.

A moment of mindfulness—be it a yoga session, a quiet walk, or a simple breathing exercise—can help you decide if these modern essentials are aligned with your deepest values.

Thich Nhat Hanh once said, “The present moment is the only time over which we have dominion.”

That idea resonates with me each day.

We can’t go back to the 70s, and we shouldn’t pretend technology isn’t here to stay.

But we can choose to be aware, intentional, and responsible in how we use all these tools.

After all, the real value lies in finding a balance that nurtures our well-being, our relationships, and our personal growth.