Mexico's Generation Z is growing up with precariousness, uncertainty and political distrust. And social media is their primary source of information

"The flag of the Straw Hat Pirates, from the Japanese anime series One Piece, is waved at Generation Z demonstrations. It symbolizes, in the words of the show's fans, freedom and justice. The word freedom is repeated as a yearning among those who attended the march on Saturday, November 15, in Mexico City. It was also repeated among the 10 young people interviewed by EL PAIS."

"But what is this freedom that they so desperately seek? While it doesn't always mean exactly the same thing for everyone, for these youngsters, it generally materializes in the form of employment, education, mental health, public transportation, housing and security things that allow them to feel less vulnerable. In less than a week, Mexico City has seen two protest marches (one much more successful than the other) that were organized on social media and described as targeting young people between the ages of 15 and 28."

"The actual turnout, however, was quite different, as most of the attendees were over 30. But the absence of those who were supposed to lead these mobilizations wasn't due to a lack of youths: although the last census is from 2020, UN projections estimate that 38 million people in the country belong to Generation Z, or about a quarter of the Mexican population."

Generation Z demonstrators in Mexico City waved the Straw Hat Pirates flag as a symbol of freedom and justice. Freedom manifested for many as employment, education, mental health care, public transportation, housing, and security that reduce vulnerability. Two social-media-organized marches aimed at 15–28-year-olds attracted mostly older attendees. UN projections estimate about 38 million Mexican Generation Z members, roughly a quarter of the population. Ten young people aged 16–26 described varied personal experiences including commutes up to three hours, precarious employment, anxiety over career choices, and frustration at unemployment. All identified an uncertain job market, unaffordable housing, and feelings of insecurity as major concerns.

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