Gen Z Prefers an App over an Actual Flashlight

Technologies such as typewriters, analog cameras and cassette tape players are fading from human awareness. A new report from YouGov, a consumer data firm, examined generational differences regarding technology and found that most Gen Zers — those born in this millennium — wouldn't know how to use a fax machine, rotary phone, floppy disk or beeper. For example, just 17 percent of young people said they were comfortable using a rotary phone; 15 percent said the same about fax machines; and just 7 percent said so about pagers.

Even among Gen Zers, usage of various technologies is quickly disappearing. While 33 percent of respondents aged 15 to 18 have tried out a typewriter, just 16 percent of those aged 8 to 11 said the same. While 40 percent of the older Gen Zers have used an analog or film camera, the share was 18 percent among the younger survey participants. And hands-on usage of cassette tape players shrunk in half, from 36 percent to 18 percent, among the older kids vs. the younger kids.

On the other hand, most members of Generation X — people between 35 and 54 years old — are comfortable both with fading technologies and with newer ones. Whereas 87 percent of Gen Zers 15 years and older said texting was fine by them, 79 percent of Gen Xers said the same. For streaming music and video, 73 percent of Gen Zers expressed comfort compared to 61 percent of Gen Xers. And for tablet usage, pickup was just slightly higher among the younger crowd than the older one (81 percent vs. 77 percent).

Then there's the flashlight. More Gen Zers across all ages said they preferred using a flashlight app than the traditional version of a flashlight: 37 percent vs. 31 percent. In other generations, the older the respondent, the more likely he or she was to prefer an actual flashlight over an app. For Gen X, 52 percent of people said they'd use the traditional kind compared to 17 percent who chose the flashlight app. Among baby boomers, the actual flashlight vote was 64 percent vs. 9 percent who chose the app.

Total sample size for the survey was 587 U.S. children aged 8 to 17 and 2,097 adults. The research took place online between March 30 and April 3, 2018.

An infographic sharing summary data is available on the YouGov website.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  •  laptop on a clean desk with digital padlock icon on the screen

    Data Privacy a Top Concern as Orgs Scale Up AI Agents

    As organizations race to integrate AI agents into their cloud operations and workflows, they face a crucial reality: while enthusiasm is high, major adoption barriers remain, according to a new Cloudera report. Chief among them is the challenge of safeguarding sensitive data.

  • robot waving

    Copilot Updates Aim to Personalize AI

    Microsoft has introduced a range of updates to its Copilot platform, marking a new phase in its effort to deliver what it calls a "true AI companion" that adapts to individual users' needs, preferences and routines.

  • Rebind platform

    Grant Program to Give Free Access to AI-Powered Reading Platform

    E-reading publishing company Rebind has announced a new "Classics in the Classroom" grant program for United States high school and college educators, providing free access to the company's AI-powered reading platform for the Fall 2025 term.

  • The AI Show

    Register for Free to Attend the World's Greatest Show for All Things AI in EDU

    The AI Show @ ASU+GSV, held April 5–7, 2025, at the San Diego Convention Center, is a free event designed to help educators, students, and parents navigate AI's role in education. Featuring hands-on workshops, AI-powered networking, live demos from 125+ EdTech exhibitors, and keynote speakers like Colin Kaepernick and Stevie Van Zandt, the event offers practical insights into AI-driven teaching, learning, and career opportunities. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to integrate AI into classrooms while exploring innovations that promote equity, accessibility, and student success.