For Generation Z, ‘Live Chilling’ Replaces Hanging Out in Person

I think the title is sensationalized a bit. It's not much different that hopping in a google hangout for a daily standup, except with friends instead of coworkers. When I was around that age kids would talk on the phone with their friends for hours every night. Then three way calling came and you could chat with multiple friends at one. Video hangouts are just generation Z's way of talking on the phone at night. I wouldn't go as far as saying it's replacing hanging out in real life.

The headline is indeed hyperbolic; the article admits that this is an evolution of millennials talking on AIM after school or gen X on the phone, with the only difference being the technology and capabilities have evolved. This isn't so much about "replacing hanging out in person" -- this is about communication and connection when hanging out in person isn't necessarily an option or comes with more social risk.

It's hard enough to coordinate transportation when you're 14 and can't drive, but a chat you can quit at any time and do something else. When you have to wait for a ride and are at a mall with 7 of your friends or at somebody's house, you have no such options of retreat.

Taxi drivers have been doing this on their phones for years :) I don't really mind, but it always surprises me a bit to find out that there's been another person hanging out with us on speakerphone when one of them says something after 5 minutes of silence - if only because it's so different from my own phone habits.

Flagging this garbage:

- Clickbait title

- Paywall

- WSJ has lost any credibility for me after doubling-down on, instead of retracting, their hit piece on PewDiePie.

Is this what those people who seems to be constantly on their phone in public are doing? They seem to be able to go a long time without saying anything, then when they do it takes me a while to realize they're actually on the phone.

Oh geez [shuffles papers, looks at watch] is it time to start denigrating the next generation already?