Gen Z leads now, not later

In an era defined by artificial intelligence, climate emergencies, disinformation campaigns, and political instability, one generation is proving itself ready for the fight ahead.

“We are not just the future. We are the present. We are the ones shaking systems and challenging norms,” says a political science major who volunteers for an election watchdog group. “We fact-check statements, we call out corruption.”

And that sentiment is shared by many others. The youth of today are stepping into roles far beyond their years. They are not only adapting to the dizzying speed of innovation, they are driving it.

The watchers and the woke

In recent years, students and youth groups have dominated headlines for their activism. From climate strikes in Manila to campus-led voter registration drives, the message is clear. Today’s youth are not apathetic. They are alert.

“Social media is our arena. We use it to expose, to educate, to organize,” says a journalism student. “People say we’re too loud online. But silence allows injustice to grow louder.”

Young people today have become an informal check and balance on those in power. As one professor notes, “They have the curiosity of learners but the courage of seasoned whistleblowers.”

Gen Z is fast gaining recognition as one of the most digitally fluent, adaptable, and innovative generations in history. A 2024 Deloitte study highlights that individuals aged 18 to 27 are at the forefront of breakthroughs in sustainability, artificial intelligence, fintech, and mental health solutions.

“They’re unafraid to fail and learn,” says a startup founder. “We see 19-year-olds pitching AI-driven solutions to food security or climate change. It’s not hypothetical. It’s happening.”

The cycle

Of course, this isn’t the first time the youth have stepped forward with fire in their bones. Every generation believes in its potential. But what makes this generation particularly potent is their unparalleled access to information and platforms.

“There’s a pattern throughout history,” explains a UP professor and historian. “Young people push boundaries, challenge norms, then institutionalize change. It’s a cycle. And that cycle is turning faster now because of technology.”

Armed with smartphones, today’s youth are not only consumers, they are curators, creators, and critics. In a single day, a student can challenge a senator on TikTok, learn coding via YouTube, and join an international climate webinar, all while sitting down.

“We are the most adaptable,” says a senior high school student. “And we have the most potential to learn. It’s not that we’re better than older generations. It’s just our time now to lead the next leap.”

Mentorship, not gatekeeping

Still, young changemakers recognize that their bold ideas need to be balanced with wisdom and guidance. Youth leaders have repeatedly emphasized the need for intergenerational cooperation, not rivalry.

“We need mentors, not gatekeepers,” says one student leader. “There’s wisdom in age, but there’s clarity in fresh eyes. We don’t want to replace it. We want to improve.”

And perhaps that’s the answer: balance. Wisdom passed down, and boldness passed forward.

With the Philippines facing rising debt, environmental degradation, and declining educational performance, the stakes could not be higher. But in the country’s 30 million young people, there is hope.

Hope that’s loud enough to be heard. Hope it logs in — and finally speaks up.

“I don’t think we’re the leaders of tomorrow,” says a college student. “We’re already leading today.”