Dear Generation Z,

Wherever you are surfing on the internet these days, I sure hope you can find the time to read this. I promise to make it short.

I am aware you don't understand the world that we are living in right now nor do you care to think about whatʻs been going on, but I just want to be a millennial and tell it like it is.

I know what you're thinking. Why would I listen to what a millennial has to say? I know we, millennials, may not have been the best role models lately, but I just wanted to take the time to let you guys know that you guys matter, even if it doesn't feel like it. The world will be needing you very soon.

The internet today isn't what it use to be. I remember the birth of the internet was a time when Google was just a search engine and not a verb or noun, like how the term is used today.

Now, itʻs evolving and it's been evolving. It's evolving into your generation, called Generation Z, where the Internet isn't just a place for research and playing online games anymore. You are now in a world where you will never know how it is to live without a cell phone or computer. You live in a world of memes, World Star videos, and endless access to profiles of everyone in the world.

Whether you think it is easy or difficult to be in Generation Z, I just want to leave you with this:

Social media is raising you. You all have been forced to live in a world where the Internet can affect you physically, mentally, and emotionally at any time of day with the press of your finger. In this day in age, please know that filters exist, photo editing programs are being used, and there will always be "haters" no matter what. Don't post things for the views, for the likes, or for the followers. Instead, post things that will inspire others and make them feel good. Remember, people won't remember what you did or how you look, they will remember how you made them feel.

You praise famous Instagram accounts with millions of followers, comment "goals" on everything, and the word "viral" isnʻt actually what it means. The only person you should be praising is yourself and your parents. Remember, you're growing up fast. And the older you get, so do your parents. Your parents may be embarrassing, and it may seem like they're never on your side, but they do the things they do because they love you. I promise you'll understand their reasons later on. In the meantime, love and cherish them with all your heart because you mean a lot to them.

The world is way too big for you to be staring at one little screen all day. Even though it may be hard to, put the phone or tablet down sometimes. Give love and attention to the people who are physically with you. It's about those moments and stories when you're genuinely present. This is what life is truly about. People will come and go in your life. I promise you'll find a true circle of people that love you because you are you.

You are beautiful and NEVER forget it. Love yourself in every way possible and do everything in every way possible to make yourself happy. You deserve happiness and you deserve to know that you matter. There are no standards of beauty and no standards of how to live life. If people aren't supporting nor loving you for you, tell em' boy bye!

Keep growing, keep being you. Continue to love each other, because each other is all we have left. I can't wait to see what amazing things you come up with for this world.

Yours Truly,
A Millennial with Hope