A new study has found Gen Z use weaker passwords than their grandparents, challenging common beliefs about digital natives.
Security researchers say the findings expose risky online habits among younger users, despite growing up with technology and social media.
Study reveals weak choices
Research by password manager NordPass shows the most common Gen Z password is “12345”, a basic and unsafe choice.
Other popular options include simple number sequences, while the word “password” ranks fifth on the list.
The slang term “skibidi” also appears among the top ten, highlighting casual and predictable password behaviour.
By contrast, Baby Boomers most often use “123456”, which is slightly stronger but still unsafe.
That password is also the top choice among Millennials and Generation X, showing poor habits across generations.
Myth of digital natives
Researchers say the results debunk the idea that younger users understand cyber risks better than older people.
Despite years of awareness campaigns, password hygiene has shown little improvement, according to the report’s authors.
Password fatigue grows
Similar findings come from a Bitwarden survey across the UK, US, Europe, Japan and Australia.
It found 72 per cent of Gen Z workers reuse passwords, compared with 42 per cent of Baby Boomers.
This behaviour increases the risk of hacking, data theft and identity fraud.
A shift to new security
Despite weak passwords, Gen Z are more likely to use passkeys, biometrics and two-factor authentication.
Google says older users rely more on passwords as their main sign-in method.
Experts argue modern tools are safer and easier than passwords, which are vulnerable to phishing and data breaches.
Major tech firms are now pushing for a future without passwords, aiming to improve both security and convenience.
