Gen Z Is Feeling Disillusioned. This Magazine Offers a Reality Check.

Remember when growing up meant endless possibilities, not existential dread about AI taking your job? Turns out, that's not exactly the vibe for young people today. Positive News editor Tom Pattinson notes a growing number of young adults are losing faith in democracy, staring down crushing university fees, and wondering if a degree is just a really expensive piece of paper.

More than a third of UK teenagers, for example, are genuinely worried AI will snatch up all the good jobs before they even get a chance to apply. Which, if you think about it, is a pretty wild way to start your career planning.

Rethinking the Path Forward

The new issue of Positive News magazine dives headfirst into this particular brand of modern angst. It’s less about hand-wringing and more about highlighting the people and ideas actually helping young folks navigate the minefield from childhood to actual adulthood.

Think school projects that go beyond explaining democracy to actually making students practice it — learning to argue respectfully and understanding that having a voice comes with, you know, responsibility. Other programs are sending young people abroad to volunteer, getting them involved in community arts, or hooking them up with mentors. All designed to broaden horizons and remind them the world isn't just one giant LinkedIn algorithm.

The Unexpected Comeback of the Market Stall

While AI is busy making everyone nervous, something interesting is happening on the entrepreneurship front: the humble market stall is making a comeback. Apparently, 34% of 16- to 24-year-olds are already running a side hustle. Because if the big corporations won't hire you, you might as well sell artisanal candles or vintage clothes yourself. It's a first step towards independence, and frankly, a refreshing dose of old-school grit.

Then there's the arts. Funding cuts, rising living costs, and the relentless march of AI threaten to turn creative careers into a luxury only for the financially secure. The magazine's cover story looks at schemes in Europe that are exploring universal basic income for artists. It’s not charity; it’s a quiet acknowledgment that creativity, like a good sourdough starter, needs time and stability to truly flourish.

Ultimately, it's about backing the next generation. Because supporting them doesn't just help them contribute to society; it helps society itself grow into something that, hopefully, doesn't feel quite so terrifyingly uncertain for the next batch of kids.