Too often, young people are dismissed as “disengaged.” But the reality is quite different. Meaningful engagement means meeting youth where they are - online, with transparency, authenticity and purpose, write public affairs interns Lindsay Catre and Clara Silcoff.

If you’re in your early 20s right now, chances are you’ve had at least one mild panic attack about what’s next. And if you haven’t, congratulations, and please share your secrets with the rest of us.

Though the ‘real’ world of adulthood is finally within our reach, the numbers aren’t pretty for us. Youth unemployment in Canada hit 14.2 per cent in June — way above the pre-pandemic average. Rents are sky-high, and the dream of owning a home remains unattainable as housing prices continue to increase. These strains are not standalones; they’re layered on top of a lifetime shaped by the worsening climate crisis, political whiplash, and the lingering aftershocks of a global pandemic that stole our most formative years.

It’s not that we don’t care about politics or our communities. In fact, it’s quite the opposite: we care so much that it hurts. We’ve grown up with constant reminders that the world is on fire (sometimes literally), shaping how we see our future and how we show up in society. We mobilize quickly around issues that hit close to home, like sustainability, reproductive rights, and housing affordability. To us, they are more than matters of policy and principle — they determine the realities we face: can we afford our rent, plan for a family, or feel safe walking home?

The problem is, the traditional way of doing politics — voting every few years, waiting months for reports, showing up to town halls — doesn’t match our pace. In this digital era, we’ve been wired for instant feedback. We’ve seen how fast things can move online, so when government responses take years, it’s hard to stay engaged.

Social media has been both our rallying cry and our burnout machine. We’ve used it to organize protests, share petitions, and demand action when we feel ignored. But it can also trap us in echo chambers, spread misinformation, and leave us feeling like we’ve not made a difference when no real-world change has happened.

“Generation Z isn’t lost. We’re navigating a world that’s shifting faster than ever, and we’re rewriting the rules as we go. If you want us to show up, you’ll need to meet us halfway.”

Some of us don’t show up to vote, but it’s not always because we’re lazy or disinterested. We’re juggling unstable jobs, school or caregiving responsibilities that make traditional democratic participation harder. Add to that information buried in hard-to-find government PDFs or announced on platforms we don’t even use, and it starts to feel like we’re not supposed to be part of the conversation at all.

So what’s the fix?

Governments and businesses shouldn’t just write us off as disengaged. Instead, meet us where we are — online, yes, but with transparency and purpose. Show us that speaking up actually leads to change. Politicians could use their platforms to demystify decision-making: give us a day-in-the-life of a minister video, stream Q&As, highlight how youth feedback has shaped policy.

Business has a role too. Invest in internships, scholarships, and community grants, but make sure they’re more than résumé fillers. Build pathways that actually lead to full-time, stable jobs. Too many of us spend years hopping between unpaid placements, short-term contracts and gig work, never getting the security we need to move out, start saving, or plan a future.

As automation and AI roll through the workforce, there’s a real fear that the entry-level jobs where previous generations got their start will vanish altogether. We need these roles to help us learn the ropes, make mistakes in low-stakes environments, and get the kind of hands-on mentorship you can’t download from a chatbot. Without them, we risk creating a generation expected to have five years of experience before they’ve even had a chance to begin. All sectors will need to strike a balance between adopting AI for efficiency and maintaining a commitment to job creation, which is essential for building a prosperous economy for future generations.

We’re not asking for a miracle — just for a real shot. Generation Z isn’t lost. We’re navigating a world that’s shifting faster than ever, and we’re rewriting the rules as we go. If you want us to show up, you’ll need to meet us halfway.