HELSINKI.- New ethnographic research conducted by art museum Amos Rex in collaboration with the strategy consultancy Noren reveals how 16–18-year-olds are actively shaping their everyday lives to cope with uncertainty and change.

“Amos Rex is an art museum that has a special relationship with young adults and older teenagers. We commissioned this research to understand them better, and we see clearly in it howtheir attitudes to social media and technology are changing, what they expect from the future of institutions and what art and culture means to their lives. I am excited that Amos Rex can represent and amplify these voices, and our collaboration with Noren brings something new to the debate about young people in Finland”, says Museum Director Kieran Long.

This research is being made public in connection with the opening of the fourth edition of Amos Rex’s Generation triennale on 13 May 2026, which showcases works by artists aged 15–23. Amos Rex’s current exhibition by Leandro Erlich is celebrating record attendance and has been especially popular with young people. Of over 200,000 tickets sold, 67,000 were for visitors under 30 and 40,000 for those under 18.

The study followed diverse friend groups from the capital region of Helsinki through interviews, museum and gallery visits, and participatory analysis. The findings challenge common narratives about passive or disengaged youth, instead revealing a generation that is thoughtful, strategic, and intentional in how they navigate the future.

“The public discussion about young people often focuses on the anxiety and challenges adolescents experience in uncertain times. This is important, but not enough attention is given to the ways in which young people themselves actively strengthen their resilience and support a good life”, says Linda Sivander, Head of Research at Noren.

Rather than relying on a single linear life path as generations before them have done, young people are actively developing practical and emotional strategies to strengthen their resilience in response to an unpredictable future. Despite different backgrounds and resources, four strikingly similar strategies emerged.

Young people notice the unique potential of cultural institutions to support creativity, empowerment, recovery and inspiration, as well as protection from stress. However, they urge institutions to address their own accessibility challenges, especially in more formal and regulated environments such as art museums.
Four Strategies for Resilience

Actively increasing resources

Young people challenge themselves and build meaningful skills such as concentration, intentionally limiting what they call “brain-rotting” screens in favor of more rewarding offline experiences. Mikko describes staying “locked in” during a concert at Musiikkitalo:

“We had studied it at school, so I had some background knowledge, which is why I was able to concentrate even though I normally can’t.” - Mikko, 17

Protection from stressful issues

In an era of toxic public debate, young people chose to avoid polarising topics and retreat to smaller, trusted circles. Their social media presence is carefully curated.

"We don't talk about politics, at least not in a big group, we don't want to disturb the peace. We stay on a superficial level. With closer friends you can talk about deeper things." Sean, 18.

Enabling recovery and renewal

Young people describe feeling stressed and drained. They try to counterbalance both brain rotting and useful activities with moments where they can let loose and just have fun.

"At a previous Amos Rex show I liked that I could lie on my stomach and there was mood lighting … You didn't have to do anything." Iisa, 16

Self-realisation through creativity

Practicing creativity is an overarching strategy for young people to strengthen resilience and build a connection to their authentic selves. They understand creativity in its broadest sense: everything from painting to choosing clothes to playing football is seen as a form of self-expression.

"Minecraft can also be an art form, you can build anything from scratch … Once we discovered a secret bunker weeks after a friend had built it without anyone knowing about it." - Mikko, 17

Gen Z is learning to cope with uncertainty alone — and that should concern all of us

The research shows that young people are not passive in the face of uncertainty – they are actively adapting. But they are doing so largely on their own. This matters beyond youth wellbeing: a society where young people don’t feel safe to participate in risk deeper polarisation, weakened democracy, and long-term disengagement.

“When we pay attention to young people’s own actions and aspirations, we notice that in many ways our society is headed in the opposite direction. For example, technology and AI are increasingly introduced into their lives, while many young people are trying to reduce ‘brain rot’ and are longing for genuinely rewarding leisure time”, says Iida Korpiniitty, Senior Strategist and Researcher at Noren.

We can learn from young people who show through practical action what meaningful resilience building looks like. Society's role is to make this into a collective effort, to build systems that support young people, rather than undermine or erode their efforts.

All the names of the participants in the research have been changed to ensure anonymity.