What: 17 tweens sounding off on the influence of Page 2

Where: Candy Craze, Progressive Plaza 24-28 Barbican Road

The buzz... Jamaica Observer Senior Associate Editor, Lifestyle & Social Content Novia McDonald-Whyte taps Gen Z for feedback on the 17-year-old publication Page 2.

The Zoomers, as they are referenced concurred for the most part that Page 2 has influenced their fashion and beauty routine.

There were many a revelation… The generation weaned on social media and tech, and have never known a world without it, prefer to peruse Page 2 online. More than half found the digital version easily accessible. “I mostly read online,” says Solae Hinds. “I find it convenient to have access to news at my fingertips.” Shari-Ann Ferguson reads the newspaper when she comes across it, though she’s quick to ‘fess up that it’s not often. Kia McLean typically reads the print version when she’s with her grandfather.

The Zoomers want to be featured more. Zarah Foulkes says when she was featured on Page 2 recently she immediately told her friends about it, but was amazed that many were not familiar with it. The majority concurred that their peers did not know much about Page 2. While Okelia Montique was in accord, her hope is that with more of them being featured her peers will better understand the role it plays.

Surprise, surprise… Perhaps the most surprising trend is not the phone-obsessed generation’s interest in lifestyle content but their desire to read more. Zoe Morrison believes reading more would make her “more culturally aware”, while Lauren Levy thinks more reading would “not only broaden my vocabulary but also expand my knowledge of cultural variations”.

Zoomer playlist:

Lauryn Hill

Lana Del Rey

Jada Kingdom

Taylor Swift

Shenseea

Nicki Minaj

Rihanna

Bryson Tiller

Stalk Ashley

Sade

Special thanks to Melanie Levy CEO Candy Craze & her team:

• Candy Craze

Shop #2

Progressive Plaza,

24-28 Barbican Road

• Shikima Hinds

• BrandEd principal Norma Williams

• Designer Kadian Nicely

• And all the parents who allowed their children to participate