A Third of Gen Z Feels Pressured to Become Social Media Creators—And Many Say Their Schools Encourage It

Graduating high school is a significant milestone, but stepping into the adult world, especially during uncertain economic times, can feel overwhelming. A new study reveals that a large portion of high school graduates don’t feel adequately prepared for life after school, particularly in areas they consider essential for their futures. Many also feel pressured to turn to influencer culture as a potential career path to make ends meet.

The national survey, commissioned by K12, an accredited online K-12 school, polled 300 recent high school graduates and 200 parents about their confidence levels as they entered the real world. The results were telling: only 32% of recent graduates felt that their high school education had adequately prepared them for life beyond school.

Teen boys, in particular, felt less confident than girls, with 23% rating their preparedness at a 3 or lower on a scale of 1 to 10, compared to 16% of female graduates. When asked about the areas where they felt least confident, many recent grads pointed to key life skills. Surprisingly, these included classic rites of passage that young adults once eagerly anticipated: 34% said they didn’t feel ready to manage their own money, 27% were unsure about living independently, and 26% expressed concerns about communicating effectively—a sign of how online communication has increasingly replaced face-to-face interaction.

As for their biggest concerns, 44% of graduates said they were anxious about becoming financially secure. This fear is compounded by the fact that many felt their high schools didn’t provide them with vital skills, particularly financial literacy. A staggering 62% wished they had been taught how to do their taxes, 60% wanted lessons on credit scores and loans, and 51% wanted to learn how to invest.

Given these gaps in readiness, it’s no surprise that 90% of recent grads said they planned to attend college after high school. However, another trend is emerging: more and more teens are considering a career in social media.

A significant 34% of recent high school graduates reported feeling pressure to become content creators or influencers, a reflection of how mainstream influencer culture has become. Even more surprising is that it’s not just social media pushing this trend. According to the survey, 56% of students said their high schools actively encouraged them to explore “alternative career paths,” such as trades, gig work, and, notably, content creation.

As social media and influencer culture continue to dominate young people’s lives, it’s understandable that many teens are drawn to the idea of becoming content creators. But with this ambition comes uncertainty. Despite the allure of influencer income, many teens are justifiably concerned about their lack of financial literacy to turn this potential into a viable career.