Psychotherapist reveals how you can spot a Millennial on social media with one huge giveaway

There seems to be an endless amount of differences when it comes to Millennials and Gen Z.

From outfit choices, happy hours and bedroom trends, all the way through to our attitudes to work and even how we email people - it seems the list of major cultural differences between the two generations is always growing.

And the latest disparity surrounding those born between 1997 and 2012 and their older predecessors, who are born between 1981 and 1996, is all to do with how they use social media.

To find out a little more about why Millennials and Gen Z are so different when it comes to their social media bios, we spoke to author and psychotherapist, Eloise Skinner, who told Tyla everything we needed to know about the fascinating phenomenon and exactly how you can spot a Millennial online.

What is the major difference between Millennial and Gen Z social media bios?

Eloise tells us: "I think one of the main differences could be the extent of explanation or description given by Millennials.

"Where Millennials tend to summarise their background, interests or location, Gen Z tend to be more brief (or perhaps preferring not to share any information in their bio at all)."

According to the expert, many Millennials first started using platforms like Instagram - which first hit our phones back in 2010 - when they were fairly new.

This was also at a time when the app was 'mostly associated with developing friendships' - in a similar way to Facebook or MySpace.

"As Instagram expanded to develop connections between strangers, or between influencers and audiences, it became less relevant to fully present yourself as an individual with a background and history," Eloise explains.

"Instead, identities evolved so that your 'Instagram self' could be somewhat unrelated to your actual life."

The 'Millennial bio' versus 'Gen Z bio' formula

Eloise tells us that a Millennial bio is 'likely to include personal roles' - think mother, wife, sister etc - as well as location.

"Millennials might also include job titles or professional roles," she notes.

However, the younger generation are way more snappy with it.

"Gen Z are more likely to be brief, perhaps using abbreviations to show elements of identity or personal values - or perhaps even a collection of emojis or a few single words or phrases," the psychotherapist adds.

After making the discovery, people have taken to social media to share tongue-in-cheek 'how to' guides if you're wanting to come across like a Millennial online.

One X user outlined:

"How to write a bio like a Millennial:

" - Be a junkie (food junkie, road trip junkie..etc.)

" - Pick a Friends character (Chandler, Ross, Rachel)

" - Decide your beverage (tea/coffee)

" - Add a social movement (feminist, humanist...)

" - End with random words like wanderlust, nomad, etc."

"This is too real," agreed another X user while a third pointed out: "Also adding fond of foods like... cloud eggs, pumpkin spice latte, charcoal water..."

A fourth echoed: "Don’t forget - wish me on / landed on earth on / blow candles on / I suck and I don’t know it."

"Accurate," added a final X user.

What kind of bio do you have?