In media education, we've all grown up hearing iconic phrases like Marshall McLuhan's "The medium is the message," the concept of a "global village," and the long-standing belief that "media is the fourth estate of democracy." As someone who's spent time navigating both academia and industry, I often wonder: are we really heading in the right direction with our pedagogy?

I’ll admit, I too fall under the category of educators grappling with this challenge. The only difference? I consider myself more millennial and less Gen Z — though God knows, some days I feel like I’m barely holding on in this fast-evolving digital chaos.

But here’s why I’m sharing this. I need your thoughts: What are today’s kids really looking for? Is it freedom? A sense of belonging? Social media engagement? Or just the comfort of binge-watching K-dramas?

Ask a Gen Z kid these questions, and you’ll likely get a sceptical stare first. Then, as if they’ve realized they don’t quite belong anywhere, they’ll shrug it off — not because they’re indifferent, but because they feel trapped in a world that’s constantly overwhelming and, quite frankly, a bit messed up.

Studies suggest a noticeable decline in Gen Z's work ethic — some even call it anti-professionalism. It's ironic, like the opposite of the classic short film I grew up watching Just Lather, That's All — where precision and discipline were everything. Today, many young people are tuned into a different rhythm altogether.

Now, before we label this generation as lost in maze, let's take a closer look. There seem to be two distinct mindsets emerging — one driven by purpose, the other by impulse. Some students are remarkably disciplined, eager to learn, and critical thinkers by nature. Yet, this strong sense of purpose can sometimes make them vulnerable to radical ideologies — whether political, social, or cultural. While their ability to challenge norms is admirable, it's hard to tell if their critiques are constructive or just noise. On the other hand, there are those students who are guided (or misguided) by social media trends and Western pop culture. Predicting their next move is nearly impossible — even they themselves are often unsure. They live for the moment, finding joy in spontaneity rather than structured goals.

Curious to understand these mindsets better, I occasionally ask students the classic, clichéd question: "What do you want to become?" It's the one our aunts and uncles love to ask, often met with rehearsed answers about top-tier careers. But today's Gen Z? They either want to follow clear-cut rules or refuse to play the game at all. How these two groups will shape society — a world now driven by technology — is anyone's guess.

Even emotions like love and affection are becoming commodified by AI. Writing this, I couldn’t help but question myself: Am I even the right person to critique a generation I partly belong to?

In the end, I believe Gen Z isn’t lost; they’re just navigating a world that demands both adaptability and authenticity. And maybe, just maybe, that’s where their true strength lies.