Between Screens and Statutes: A Socio-Legal Study of Generation Z

Abstract

Generation Z (born 1997–2012) constitutes the first cohort to grow up entirely within the digital ecosystem, rendering their socio-legal experiences fundamentally distinct from preceding generations. This paper presents an analytical, mixed-method, Scopus-indexed quality investigation into the intersection of law, society, and digital culture as experienced by Gen Z globally. Drawing on survey data (n = 1,200), legal literature, and comparative jurisdictional analysis, the study examines five thematic domains: (1) digital rights awareness and data privacy, (2) cyberbullying and platform accountability, (3) mental health as a socio-legal issue, (4) Gen Z's evolving legal identity and civic engagement, and (5) employment law in the gig economy. Findings reveal that Gen Z exhibits significantly higher awareness of digital legal rights than preceding generations, actively leverages social media as a site of legal contestation, and disproportionately encounters gaps in existing legal frameworks. The paper argues that contemporary legal architecture remains inadequately equipped to address the socio-legal realities of a digitally native generation and recommends targeted legislative reform, enhanced digital legal literacy programmes, and reconceptualised frameworks of platform accountability. These conclusions carry substantial implications for legal scholars, policymakers, and civil society organisations.