The topic of Gen Z in the cybersecurity landscape is one that has continuously stayed relevant. Just last year, I had the opportunity to talk about this topic and the information I found was disappointing.
As it turns out, Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012, believe that cybersecurity incidents can't really happen to them – as 61% of them claimed. This fact is sadly paired with the statistics that show that almost 80% of Gen Z-ers recycle old passwords across platforms and that almost two thirds of them share personal information on social media.
New statistics show that a staggering 62% of Gen Z youth have engaged with a phishing message in 2025, and 74% of Gen Z-ers have admitted to opening unfamiliar links.
Gen Z-ers were the first generation born and raised in the era of modern technology, growing up completely surrounded by it. Because of this, it doesn't really come as a surprise that Gen Z-ers are known lovers of convenience and ease of use. This trait of theirs ties in perfectly with the rise of popularity of AI chatbots.
Last year, I learned that 55% of Gen Z-ers share personal information with AI chatbots, while 59% of them rely on AI when making decisions in the workplace, with the assurance that this number will continue growing. However, Gen Z-ers are becoming more aware of the rise of AI, which is making them feel replaceable and stressed. This is why almost half of Gen Z-ers (47%) admitted to hiding their use of AI at work. Still, 24% of Gen Z-ers are totally comfortable with AI completing their professional tasks at the workplace.
Even outside of work, Gen Z youngsters (also popularly called „zoomers“) treat AI as their daily advisor, and 28% of them even consider it a friend and a confidant. This, in turn, leads to them leaving even more of their private and professional information in the hands of various AI chatbots. Some of the personal bits of information they trust AI with is health-related (24%) and financial (22%). The simple fact is that 18% of zoomers feel „extremely or very comfortable“ with trusting AI agents and chatbots for acting on their behalf.
The mentioned love for convenience, coupled with their overconfidence that a cybersecurity incident cannot possibly happen to them, leads Gen Z-ers to underestimate the risks associated with AI. Less than half (42%) take measures to protect themselves and their data when using AI services, which includes independently checking sources and avoiding the disclosure of personal and professional information. The remaining Gen Z-ers either only occasionally take such measures (5%) or never (6%).
With the speedy advance of AI, it doesn't come as a surprise that it is being used for fraud. Studies show that up to 86% of phishing attempts today are being made using AI. This is why zoomers are losing confidence in detecting fraudulent attempts made with the assistance of AI. 78% of them believe that phishing attempts have become much more sophisticated with the use of AI, with a further 54% of zoomers failing to detect an AI-generated phishing email in one study.
So what can be done? Last year I showed some examples of ways to help educate Gen Z employees when it comes to gaining and maintaining good cybersecurity practice. I mentioned interactive learning with games and quizzes, using memes and pop culture and short video formats as well as using storytelling and personal experience as a means of education.
One very good thing about zoomers is that they are keen on learning. 91% of them stated that workplace training on the topic of improving cybersecurity should be a priority in the workplace. Another useful thing could be using AI for education and for defense, considering that Gen Z-ers are so keen on using it every day. Finding reliable and scalable, easy to use cybersecurity solutions and combining them with a proper education is the only way to go forward in the age of AI.
This article is part of our Cybersecurity Awareness Month series.
Find the full series on our Blog.
Stay informed. Stay secure.
