It’s not new that Gen Z has watched the world unfold in real time.
We have witnessed a global health crisis, watched the invasion of Ukraine unravel day-by-day, and now we’re witnessing another war in the Middle East. We know the jokes, the memes, the ironic “WW3 is trending again” posts. But this time, I fear that this conflict feels more serious and more real. Maybe it’s the nuclear teasing. Maybe it’s the extremist ideologies we’ve chosen to ignore for years. Or maybe it’s the fear that something bigger is coming — something that could change the world as we know it.
As I recall, it was just last April when we found ourselves under digital fire: numerous warnings about missiles over Tel Aviv, quickly followed by reports of airstrikes in Teheran. I live a continent away. I’m nowhere near the conflict. Yet, I felt heavily involved. That’s exactly what being young right now feels like: whether you follow politics or not, it only takes a notification or a tweet to realize – you’re in it.
And the worst part for Gen Z, is not how much we see or how much we know about it.
It’s about how little we can do.
Too Much Information, Not Enough Time to Digest It
Gen Z is the first generation to grow up with the internet as an ubiquitous part of their daily life. It’s the place where we work, learn and connect. When something happens, it only takes a quick scroll to know about it. The same goes for the Iran–Israel conflict. We don’t wait for breaking news or read the morning paper. Instead, we see raw footage unfold in real time and most of the time it is without warning, without filter, and with no time to process.
The ironic – if not disturbing part- is how quickly we switch between emotional extremes. One minute we’re laughing at a meme about university and the next minute we’re watching collapsing buildings or corpses, as a result of a missile strike. Not only is it surreal, but as the time goes by, that constant exposure doesn’t make us numb. If anything, it creates emotional whiplash. We become anxious, overwhelmed, and emotionally overloaded.
Is It Ever Easy to Choose a Side?
“The more we see, the more we’re expected to know and say”.
I came across this phrase online once, and it really stuck with me ever since. In today’s chaotic digital environment, navigating your opinion feels more challenging than ever. Online, silence is rarely an option since it’s been interpreted as indifference. But speaking up? That’s a bold move. Say the “wrong” thing, and it can feel riskier than saying nothing at all.
If you post a flag, you’re immediately accused of bias. If you want “peace”, then you must be naive. And if you ask questions, you’re either uninformed or written off as ignorant. The realization that the Iran–Israel conflict isn’t just happening on the ground, but also in our comment sections and timelines, is just a reminder that the war has evolved far beyond its geographical borders and it has become a digital war too.
Moreover, the narratives seem to be false or inconsistent. On one hand, Iran is portrayed as a dangerous theocracy — and other times, as a symbol of resistance against Western dominance. On the other hand, Israel is framed either as a democratic ally under attack or an aggressor violating international norms. Pick a side, and you’re accused of ignoring the suffering of the other. Stay silent, and you’re accused of not caring enough.
But the young generation today is far from apolitical.
I would like to think that most of us don’t view Iran and Israel as purely good or evil nor that we are all about choosing sides. We observe real problems, such as broken systems, generational trauma and false cycles of retaliation that the world leaders are unable to address. We challenge and question the narratives we’re presented, and we express doubts of both state propaganda and mainstream Western media. However, skepticism does not equate to cynicism. More than that, we are attempting to make sense of the plethora of events that are happening all around us and a history that has been formed long before we were even able to comprehend it.
We are embracing the suffering and we recognise the grief of both sides. The whole point is that everyone is losing, but no one is willing to admit it.
Searching for a Balance & Trying to Stay Human
Gen Z did not choose to grow up face-to-face with the atrocities that are playing out in the world. But here we are, witnessing them firsthand too. And even though we do not possess power in the traditional sense, we do have the knowledge and the tools to question and confront these systems, challenge them, and maybe alter them.
The Iran–Israel conflict may be happening half a world away, but its ripple effects live in every aspect of our lives. From our Instagram feeds and group chats to our sense of safety overall. And while it’s tempting to look away and believe these horrors don’t affect us — the truth is, they already do.
We may not have all the answers — but at least, we’re asking better questions. And maybe, for now, that’s where staying human begins.
*Sissy Politopoulou is a core member of the EU Youth Hub at ELIAMEP, and a graduate in International and European Studies with a specialization in International and Humanitarian Law. She coordinates the team’s Social Media and Digital Presence efforts, and also writes for platforms like UnPlug Mag, promoting democracy, youth rights, and civic engagement across Europe.
