Gen Z Sees Pandemic, BLM As Most Impactful Events

Morning Consult has updated its Gen Z worldview tracker with new data on how the tumult of 2020 —a pandemic, recession, protests, the upcoming election and more —is shaping this young generation's habits, values and outlook on the world.

One number to know: 68 percent of Gen Z say the Black Lives Matter movement has had a major impact on their lives, up 21 points since April, making it the second most impactful event for this generation behind the coronavirus outbreak.

Morning Consults notes other highlights:

• Gen Z now sees the pandemic and Black Lives Matter movement as the two most impactful events of their lifetimes: 75 percent of Gen Z respondents say the coronavirus outbreak has had a major impact on their worldview, and 68 percent say the same about the Black Lives Matter movement, up 21 points since April. 
• Trust in institutions is falling across the board: In just two months, the average trust rating for 15 major institutions Morning Consult is tracking has dropped from 56 percent to 46 percent. The largest declines are with the police (24-point drop in trust), the U.S. government (-17), the criminal justice system (-14) and the news media (-13).
• Gen Zers are less optimistic about the future, but increasingly believe they can shape it: Just 19 percent of Gen Z respondents say the U.S. is heading in the right direction, down 12 points since May. And 52 percent are generally optimistic about the future of the country, down six points since May. At the same time, 62 percent of Gen Zers agree they have the potential to impact the world, up 6 points since May. 
• The vast majority of Gen Z supports Black Lives Matter and took at least one action related to recent protests: 12 percent attended a protest, 41 percent posted on social media, and 46 percent have made an effort to learn more about actions they can take to support racial justice. Just 22 percent say they have not taken any action related to the protests.