One thing Gen Z is good at is creating terms and phrases such as rizz, red flags, monkey barring, talking stage, etc. To express themselves in unique ways. In doing so, they create these standards and boundaries within modern dating. These boundaries allow individuals, whether they are Gen Z or Millennials, to pick up signs that their relationship is a red flag across the board or if they deserve better.
Digital Boundaries; Soft launching & Red Flags
Boundaries are super important in relationships, and one thing about Gen Z is that they do not mess around with their boundaries, especially when it comes to their digital relationships. To start, boundaries in the sense of establishing your grounds (rules, non-negotiables, etc.)
Digital boundaries: Terms such as “soft launching” or “hard launching” come into play. Soft launching puts the boundary between the viewers/fans and the creator. It allows them to gradually share their relationship online without rushing into it.
It allows for both parties to grow comfortable with one another and adds this fun little mystery to it. As for hard launching, it's less like a boundary; instead, it invites the risk of viewer criticism and could be used as a marketing tactic.
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Digital boundaries are super important just as physical boundaries are, because sometimes it could feel like it’s you, your viewers, and your partner. This is not only something well-known influencers have to deal with, but also regular people who post a lot of personal things on social media.
For a teen, it's a way to show off the new flowers your partner got you or the cute boba date you guys went on. It is important to know what you want to share. That's where soft launching and hard launching come in. And of course, how much input you want from outsiders in your relationship, whether that be a random follower, a person from school who saw your post, your friends or even your partner's friends.
That, of course, does not include meeting someone online and starting an online relationship. That requires caution because red flags can arise at any moment, and it's harder to identify because there's a screen between the parties, yet that's what the youth are left with when options in real life are limited. Terms like catfish and stalking, but I suppose Gen Z has been doing a lot of reverse catfishing.
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Real-life or physical relationship boundaries are a bit different because today's youth is very particular, picky, and has high standards. It entails a lot of situationships, talking stages, and Netflix and chill. In other words, it focuses more on exploring and finding out what you want in a partner instead of a serious commitment.
Gen Z tends to make serious but also unserious judgments on what's a red flag and what's a green flag. A red flag is a warning sign in a person's behaviour that can seem toxic or manipulative. For example, I am sure we’ve all seen the infamous video or some recreation of this one girl trying to surprise her boyfriend in college, and he's in a room full of girls and tries to play it off by hugging his girlfriend. So, Gen Z definitely aren’t colorblind…Well sometimes.
Monkey Barring
One thing about this generation is that they want options. In other words, Monkey Barring, when you hold onto one bar (relationship) as you reach for another. How do they come up with these?
No idea. But what I do know…This is a huge red flag.
Nonetheless, the youth do not like being alone, but they also like having options because each person, in a way, meets different needs. It is also due to the fear of being alone and needing a relationship to keep you occupied. I am sure back in the days, they would call these two-timing or plain old cheating.
We all know at least one person who does this, and it can raise a lot of concern because it’s not honest and shows a lack of self-security, which is something many teens need to learn. How to be comfortable alone, learn how to heal and grow, and overall find what you need in yourself before looking for it in others.
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