Experts Warn of One Troubling Behavior Among Young Travelers
“The reputational payoff” of engaging in this is larger for young travelers, said a behavioral scientist and social psychologist.
A new study has revealed that nearly half of American travelers have taken risks on their trips that they initially felt unsafe with, and over a third of Gen Z travelers have taken a physical risk to capture a picture or video. Behavioral scientist Jordan Bridger attributes this tendency to the platform's reward system, stating that the reputational payoff of a dramatic shot is larger for younger travelers.
Travel expert Gabby Beckford notes that a risky photo or video can provide young travelers with attention, status, and opportunities, which is rarely the case for older travelers. The research, conducted by Climbing Kilimanjaro, surveyed 1,013 U.S. adults on how social media influences their travel plans and habits. The average age of respondents was 40, with Gen Z making up 21 percent of the sample.
Bridger argues that the research does not establish that Gen Z is more reckless, rather, it highlights how younger consumers have grown up in an environment where experiencing and documenting are intertwined.
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