Gen Z is reacting to back-to-back global crises by flooding TikTok, Instagram and X with viral memes and World War III jokes. Shafeeq/ X You are viewing 1 of 6 images Previous Image Next Image ...

In 2020, one Vox analysis of Iran–U.S. war memes found Gen Z treating the possibility of World War III like a joke, equating it to a Fortnite match or a party invite.

Some memes and TikTok videos may be funny or tasteless (or both). But for Gen Z users online, experts say dark humor can help them process major news events and protect their mental health.

The consensus among Gen Z is that memes generally stop being funny once they’re overused, especially in ad campaigns by brands. But even if we see the meme as dead, it doesn’t disappear—it just stops ...

It is almost certain that Gen Z's memes won't influence the outcome of the conclave, but they are succeeding at adding some lightness and vivacity to the ancient wheels that turn.