The consumption habits of Generation Z youth are undergoing a transformation marked by speed, the emotional appeal of social media, and access to credit without proper preparation. In this scenario, indebtedness is increasing and becoming normalized. According to the Delinquency Map, Brazil recorded 78.8 million delinquent individuals in August 2025, of which 11.41% were between 18 and 25 years old. The combination of low financial literacy and constant exposure to immediate purchase stimuli has placed this age group among the most vulnerable to revolving credit.
“The first contact with a credit card often happens before any notion of financial planning. The card becomes an extension of income rather than a financial instrument. That is where the trap is set,” states Rodrigo Mandaliti, president of IGEOC and a financial expert. He emphasizes that the problem is not just individual. Consumption driven by instant desire, reinforced by influencers, algorithms, and targeted campaigns, creates a culture of continuous spending without a view of the consequences.
A survey by the National Confederation of Store Managers (CNDL) shows that 49% of consumers have already made purchases directly through social media. For young people, who spend a significant amount of time connected, the stimulus is uninterrupted. “Social media acts as permanent storefronts. When you combine convenience, installment plans, and immediate approval, the purchasing decision ceases to be rational and becomes emotional,” adds Mandaliti.
Without basic notions of planning, financial reserves, and the impact of interest, young people enter a cycle that compromises future income and limits financial autonomy right at the start of their productive lives. According to the expert, the solution is not to restrict consumption but to teach strategy. “Financial education is not about prohibiting; it's about context. The question is not: ‘Do I want this?’, but ‘Does this fit into my month, my plan, and my future?’. When young people learn to make this pause, their behavior changes.”.
