Released on International Youth Day, 'This Generation' is the latest film from Deutsche Telekom starring the five-time GRAMMY award-winner Billie Eilish to highlight the positive way Generation Z handles connected technology. 

'This Generation' directed by Vincent Haycock, encourages people to be more optimistic about the digital world. 

With the hashtag #WHATWEDONEXT, the films focus is on the positive way young people approach networked technologies to benefit society. The generation born between 1995 and 2010 grew up with the internet, making Gen Z a significant driver for digitalization. 

Billie Eilish, the voice of her generation, communicates the powerful message. First, she confronts viewers with preconceptions about teenagers, who supposedly stare blankly at their technical devices, devoid of all meaning. "Look at us. Just a bunch of kids that are screen obsessed. How can a generation that lives online know anything about the real world?” 

She then flips this on its head by introducing young people who actively engage with issues such as equality, climate change, IT security, and creativity. Sequences filmed before the coronavirus pandemic show them making use of technological possibilities to further these causes. Billie Eilish: "When it comes to what we really care about the difference we can make means even more now.“ The artist asks her own generation: "Why don’t we show them what we’re doing with it?“ 

Deutsche Telekom picks up the baton of Eilish’s thoughts: "We’re here for what this generation do. And what they do next.“ #WHATWEDONEXT is an invitation to share and take part in a discussion on digital optimism. 

The film was shared across the international Telekom Electronic Beats music platform and via social media and aimed to raise the profile of young people’s actions and ideas. In addition to Germany, the campaign was rolled out in the Deutsche Telekom markets of Austria, Croatia, Hungary, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia.