The Reign of Digital Video in Generation Z

“Bug, is that our dog barking out front?”

Tache got out this afternoon.

She’s a senile old mutt. Impossible to get angry at. I found her at the corner greeting the smaller of two dogs being walked by a teenage neighbor.

“This your dog?” the boy asks. He looks hopeful that someone is going to solve this worldly dilemma.

“Yeah, she’s not bothering you, is she?”

Grunt. Holding a video-playing phone to his face, he indicates that we’re cool, with a distinctly teenage noise that means the interaction is now not worthy of breaking attention from the screen.

I lasso my dog with the leash and lead her down the driveway, shaking my head.

Really? That video was more interesting than a quick word with your neighbor, or having your dogs meet mine? Do I really need to compete with your attention against YouTube? In real life? Out here on the street?

Yup.

It happens in my house everyday. My 13-year old son can fill any nook and cranny of his day watching video.

He’s a good kid, does what is expected of him and has all the answers:

• “I did my homework”

• “I got exercise at practice”

• “My brothers are watching with me”

• “I’m just watching [insert news or sports topic of the day]”

• “I can’t stop in the middle of the game!”

I’ve given up arguing. So I take my leave with my fatherly piece of advice: “Go live your life instead of watching everyone else live theirs.”

He rolls his eyes.

And I move on to my next project. One day, I may have to accept that real life happens inside the computer. Until then I go on believing that they are just tools.

One thing is for sure: If you are expecting this audience to love your brand, you better be making digital videos for them.

(Photo by Alex Diana)