Gen Z memes through the WWIII hype

WWIII is trending online as Iran-Israel tensions escalate – but instead of panic, Gen Z is responding with memes, bread loaves, and dark humor as digital coping mechanisms.

As tensions ratchet up between Israel (plus the US) and Iran, just how scared have we become?

Well, many have taken a playful stance on matters, as coping mechanisms help quell the alarm raised by bombs being dropped.

Memes often act as a tranquilizer to high-octane and anxious times, and this selection does the trick.

If bread was rationed to families during the first two world wars, then perhaps this time, baking is the answer, according to @yourotherMom. The funniest part for me is that she labelled her baking hobby as “toxic.”

My toxic trait is that I use baking as a coping mechanism. Sad? Bread. Anxious? Bread. WWIII? Bread.
undefined your other mom (@difficultpatty) June 17, 2025

Then we've got the satirical take on being inconvenienced by a war. The commute to work would be bothersome, to say the least, as depicted by this X user.

My thoughts on WWIII pic.twitter.com/kVYpAEQhLD
undefined りり (@lalenakittenns) June 16, 2025

Older generations have gotten in on the meme action, too, as the safety drills of yesterday are encapsulated in an amusing photo of kids hiding under their school desks.

I was in elementary school in the 60’s . I am well trained to survive WWIII #IsraelIranConflict pic.twitter.com/IDSDd8glIC
undefined ScottW (@jswtreeman) June 17, 2025

And then you have the straight-up meme of calling out the double standards of the big cheese. To put it mildly – when you say one thing but mean another: