GenZ was raised in a technically advanced environment, where almost everything from learning a new language to finding hidden gems in new locations can be accomplished using technology.
While they may appear to enjoy several tech-enabled privileges, they’re also losing several precious skills due to overreliance on the same technology. Here’s a list of 12 skills that GenZ is losing, thanks to tech.
Handwriting

Humans have used handwriting as a common form of written communication for almost 5,500 years. Everything was handwritten, from scriptures to official documents, personal journals to academic notebooks.
However, GenZ is losing this essential skill because of its overreliance on technology. Handwritten notes are now replaced with emojis, fast typing on smartphones, etc. As a result, approximately 40% of the GenZ population is weakening their ability to communicate through writing. If they continue ignoring this skill, it may eventually be forgotten.
Spelling

Knowing the correct spelling of words was crucial to written communication. It was essential in school and office environments. Unfortunately, GenZ is missing out on this skill as they rely more on spell check and predictive text technology. Since people of this generation have grown more attached to instant spell checks and easy editing, they struggle with correct spelling. If left unchecked, a significant portion of this generation may lose its ability to spell.
Mental Math

People of previous generations, like Boomers and even Millennials, had sharp mental math skills. They used their brain power for arithmetic calculations to facilitate their day-to-day operations, such as buying groceries from nearby stores. This single skill strengthened their critical thinking, creativity, and numerical abilities. GenZ is losing this valuable skill because the calculators installed on their smartphones can do it much faster. As GenZ loses the drive to sharpen its mental math abilities, the skill will eventually be lost in history books.
Reading Physical Maps

Map reading was a cherished skill for many as people viewed physical maps as symbols of places they’ve been or places they may visit. Despite carrying sentimental value, it is losing relevance to GPS and cell phones. Many adults can no longer read maps, and with GenZ embracing digital maps, the situation will only worsen. Hyper-local phone maps can become a leading cause of GenZ losing map-reading skills.
Memorization

When smartphones weren’t introduced, and technology wasn’t advanced, people memorized every important information, such as birthdays, phone numbers, addresses, etc. Despite being an important skill, GenZ is losing it to technology. With plenty of digital planners, appointment schedulers, smartphones storing information, etc., GenZ doesn’t have any strong incentive to memorize even the most critical information. Once they start using their tech-enabled device more than their memory, it can quickly disappear from their skill list.
Face-to-Face Communication

There was a time when all communications were face-to-face, and people had no choice but to improve this skill for adequate socialization, work, and academic progress. GenZ doesn’t have this pressure as they rely more on online communications via email, video calls, app-based online chatting, etc. It may appear harmless, but it’s stripping GenZ of their face-to-face communication skills. It is affecting their job prospects as well. According to a survey, nearly 70% of business leaders reported that GenZ had poor communication skills, highlighting the severity of this matter.
Attention Span

It is one of the most crucial yet underappreciated skills humans have. People with focused and unshakable attention spans could achieve great things, finish all their work on time, etc. Attention span still remains an essential skill, and unfortunately, it is losing grip on GenZ. The excessive consumption of social media content via smartphones, the endless doom scrolling, bite-sized content, etc., makes GenZ lose its attention span.
Hand Drawing

Drawing by hand was considered a traditional artistic skill that helped people bring out their creative side. In the past, people spent their leisure time sketching things they liked. This skill has almost become obsolete as GenZ relies primarily on digital platforms like Adobe Illustrator, Procreate, etc., to draw art or graphics. While few designers may still spend time drawing sketches by hand, most give more importance to digital art elements like typography, color theory, layouts, etc., leading to losing hand drawing skills.
Calligraphy

Once a celebrated art form, calligraphy was a form of decorative handwriting. It was a mainstay of American public education until the 2010 Common Core standards began omitting cursive instructions. Many people of the GenZ generation weren’t even taught to read or write cursive. Since people with cursive writing knowledge, like that of Calligraphy, had better retention and comprehension abilities, GenZ is also missing out on these skills. The launch of software like Canva, Photoshop, etc., made GenZ even more alien to this once-important art skill.
Proofreading

People working in offices and students studying in any educational institute used to proofread their written communication, such as letters, contracts, applications, etc., before submission. They used their grammar knowledge, including sentence structure, punctuation, tone, writing style, and more to ensure that the writing is crisp, error-free, and flowing. It is a crucial skill that GenZ is losing to technology. With plenty of proofreading tools like Grammarly, GenZ doesn’t see a need for manual proofreading.
Traditional Sculpting

Fewer individuals in the GenZ generation still practice traditional sculpting. It’s a skill-based process where artists use hard materials like clay, plastic, stone, wood, etc., and tools to create 3D objects. Except for hobbyists and professional traditional sculptors, people from the GenZ generation are turning to digital sculpting using software such as Blender and Tinkercard to create sculptures. It leads to losing the vital skill of traditional sculpting that once held immense value.
Musical Instrument Proficiency

The widespread adoption of AI musical platforms is enabling everyone to create music beats, replicate the voice of a particular artist, make instrumentals, etc., without proficiency in music and musical instruments. As AI-generated instrumentals become a more realistic part of our reality, GenZ will not have any tangible incentive to spend time practicing and achieving mastery in any musical instrument, stripping them of this valuable skill.