Viral Trends

Gen Z shockingly admits they don’t know how to change a lightbulb in startling new poll

By
Asia Grace
Published Jan. 14, 2025, 10:24 a.m. ET

Well, they’re not the brightest bulbs in the box — and their cluelessness comes at a high cost. 

The adult babies of Gen Z can cry about strict workplace mores and whine over the anxiety-inducing stress of making a phone call. 

But they can’t even change a lightbulb, per new data on the youngsters’ incapacity to tackle everyday, do-it-yourself duties. 

“The ability to do basic, practical tasks is being lost amongst younger generations,” warned Andy Turbefield of Halfords, a UK-based motoring and cycling retailer. 

An annoyed young woman trying to change a lightbulb.
A recent report reveals that a majority of Gen Z is incapable of doing simple DIY tasks, such as changing a lightbulb, and would rather pay someone else to do them. Krakenimages.com – stock.adobe.com

Yamalis Diaz, an NYU Langone psychologist, tells The Post that their deficiencies are likely due to the digital age.

“They simply haven’t really had to [do things for themselves],” said Diaz of Gen Z, real-world newbies ranging in age from 18 to 27.

“So much of their (and all of our) lives are automated, convenient and outsourced, which today’s generation of young people have benefited from way more than past generations,” she added. “So, it makes complete sense that Gen Z simply doesn’t know how to do as much with regard to non-tech or independent tasks.”

And the proof is in their helpless pudding.

Researchers for Halfords surveyed 2,000 grown-ups, including Zoomers, as well as millennials, guys and gals ages 28 to 44; Gen Xers, folks 45 to 60; and baby boomers, silver foxes over age 60, to determine each demographic’s level of self-sufficiency. 

The investigators found that nearly 25% of Gen Zers had no idea how to change a lightbulb in a ceiling lamp, with many claiming that climbing a ladder is “too dangerous.” One in five also worry that the bulb might be “too hot.” 

A young woman changing a lightbulb.
Experts fear that the younger generation is losing basic motoring skills due to their reliance on others. ryzhenko23 – stock.adobe.com

So, instead of risking their lives to complete the common DIY, the Z’s would rather GOTDIT — Get Others To Do It, according to the report. 

The enlightening revelation comes as the latest layer to top the “Gen Z is lazy” cake, a not-so-sweet campaign that has somewhat soured society’s taste for the 20-somethings. 

But rather than acquiescing to the “lazy” stereotype — shade that Gen Zs in NYC have staunchly rebuffed — the whippersnappers would, instead, prefer paying service people major money to handle their minor inconveniences.  

A woman making an online payment.
Gen Z is being deemed the “GOTDIT” generation, which means they’d rather “get others to do it” than do anything themselves. DC Studio – stock.adobe.com

Analysts with Halfords found that Zers, on average, spend over $1,500 per year, hiring professionals to knock out basic household chores. 

Gen Xers only shell out approximately $470 for the extra help annually, while boomers drop about $300 on a little supplementary support. 

But, based on Gen Z’s reported lack of fundamental skills, their big payouts may be money well spent. 

Older man washing a car.
Instead of cleaning their own cars, Gen Zers enjoy tasking their moms and dads with the laborious chore. Rido – stock.adobe.com

In addition to not knowing how to change a lightbulb, the majority of team-Zers aren’t confident in their abilities to clean a car. In fact, a faction of respondents said they’d rather have their parents do the dirty work for them. 

Less than half of the younglings don’t know how to add air to a car tire, and even fewer know how to fit a windshield wiper blade. 

Young attractive blond woman hanging a picture in a plain wooden frame.
The probers found that a high number of Gen Zers cannot hang a framed picture on a wall. contrastwerkstatt – stock.adobe.com

And a shocking 30% of the group could not identify a flathead screwdriver, while 21% couldn’t recognize a wrench. 

One in 10 Gen Zers admitted they’d call a pro to hang a picture on a wall, too. 

“Motoring knowledge, in particular, appears to be on the decline,” said Turbefield, in part, “with many reluctant to take on even the most basic tasks.”

However, to ensure that their “GOTDOIT” attitude doesn’t get passed down to the uprising Gen Alphas — tots ranging from one-year-olds to age 10 — nor the newest kids on the block, Gen Betas — babies born in 2025 and beyond — Diaz suggests parents being schooling their broods, now.

Here are Diaz’s tips for raising capable kiddos:

  • Assign chores: Chores help kids learn skills and take ownership of tasks that contribute to the household.  
  • Encourage them to “use their hands”: Engage kids in non-tech activities that require them to work on something actively – under adult supervision, of course! (e.g., woodworking, carpentry, assembling things, yard work, painting, etc.)
  • Let them be your “helpers”: For any of these types of tasks, this may be an opportunity to let kids help you with things that need to be done around the house. With a little up-front coaching, they can be assigned tasks that will be helpful to you and teaches them skills — plus, there’s the added bonus of spending time with mom and dad.