It’s not a thing of the last few years I’ve been using it for at least a decade.
It’s just a generic he or she, I’ve seen it used for years and never thought it’s related to any gender identity issues. Also they is easier to type than he/she. It’s similar to how vous can be used for plural or singular. Although maybe it’s not a thing in places that don’t also speak French.
Sounds great until they get to university and have the culture shock realizing not everybody else grew up on a sailboat traveling the coast.