Is 1996 Gen Y or Gen Z?

Ah, the age-old debate... if you were born in 1996, you’ve probably found yourself caught in the middle of two very different generational categories. Are you a proud member of Gen Y, aka the Millennials, or have you somehow slipped into the more tech-savvy and future-forward Gen Z camp? Let’s try to unpack this a bit, because honestly, it’s a little tricky—and also kind of fascinating.

The Millennial vs. Gen Z Debate: A Quick Overview

First off, let’s set the stage a little. Millennials are typically those born between 1981 and 1996 (depending on who you ask). They were the first to grow up with the internet, but also remember a time before smartphones, social media, and streaming services were part of everyday life. For us Millennials, flipping through a magazine or spending hours on dial-up internet felt like a totally normal thing.

On the other hand, Gen Z includes those born from 1997 onward, which means they’ve pretty much grown up with social media, high-speed internet, and a whole lot of tech that we can barely keep up with sometimes. They’re the digital natives, fully immersed in an online world from day one, and they tend to have a very different worldview and experience of technology than Millennials.

So, where does 1996 fit into all this? Are you a Millennial or a Gen Z-er? Let’s dive in.

Why 1996 Is a "Borderline" Year

Here's the thing—1996 is what I like to call a borderline year. Technically, you’re on the cusp. You're right on the edge between the old-school, analog-leaning Millennials and the hyper-digital, social-media-savvy Gen Z crowd. If you were born in this year, you might feel like you're just straddling two very different worlds, and in many ways, that’s true. You probably remember a time when people still relied on things like AOL Instant Messenger, but also experienced the rapid growth of platforms like Instagram or TikTok in your later teen years.

You might find yourself reminiscing about watching VHS tapes and then later, binge-watching shows on Netflix, as your friends in Gen Z can’t even imagine waiting for a show to be available once a week. Or, you could be someone who still remembers the flip phone era, yet you’re now mastering the latest iPhone and asking Alexa to play your favorite tunes.

So, yeah, you’re a little bit of both.

The Millennial Side of 1996

If you lean more towards the Millennial side, you probably have memories of seeing the first iPod drop, playing Game Boy in the backseat of the car, and going on MySpace (remember that?). The Millennial experience was one of transition—witnessing the rise of the internet but still holding onto bits of that pre-digital age.

You might also have felt the cultural shift that Millennials went through, where we went from CDs and cassettes to streaming services like Spotify, and from seeing films in movie theaters to watching them on Netflix from the comfort of our couch.

The Gen Z Side of 1996

But hold up—if you identify more with Gen Z, that’s fair too. Gen Z grew up with digital technology constantly evolving. By the time you were a kid, Facebook was pretty much the thing, and YouTube was taking off. The major difference is that Gen Z was born into an era where smartphones were already in the hands of most people. You might have been one of the first people in school to get an iPhone, and you’re probably one of those who can’t remember a time before Instagram and TikTok.

You also likely experienced the shift from the simple world of computers and internet browsing to an age of constant connectivity, where being online and engaging with others is basically a second nature.

So, What Does It Really Mean for You?

Honestly, if you were born in 1996, it means you're a unique case. You were born at a time when the world was rapidly changing, and you’ve experienced the best (or worst, depending on how you see it) of both worlds. You may be able to remember a time without constant notifications, but you’re also one of the first to fully embrace the connected world we live in today.

Does that mean you're stuck between two generations? Not exactly. You’ve got the luxury of dipping your toes in both the Millennial and Gen Z ponds. You probably have a mix of Millennial nostalgia (hello, early 2000s pop culture!) and a natural comfort with modern technology that makes you feel at home with Gen Z.

A Final Thought

To be honest, labels like “Millennial” or “Gen Z” don’t always capture the full experience of what it’s like to live through these years. The truth is, if you were born in 1996, you’re part of a generation that got to experience the world both before and after smartphones and social media were everyday parts of life.

Maybe you don’t feel like you fully belong to either generation—and that’s okay! You’re in a unique position, one that lets you enjoy the best of both worlds: the nostalgia of pre-social media and the tech-savvy of a digital native.

So, whether you lean more Millennial or Gen Z, just know that the real answer is… maybe both!

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How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

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Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.