Should we be worried about Gen Alpha? What you need to know

There’s a new generation in town, and that’s Gen Alpha. Born between 2010 and 2025, Gen Alpha is the first generation raised entirely in the digital age — swiping before they can talk and mastering their own slang before they can spell. But as they grow up, questions arise: Are they more emotionally intelligent, or just entitled? Are they self-sufficient, or dangerously dependent on digital validation? And most importantly — are we, the adults, the ones to blame?

The generation of iPad kids

If you’ve ever seen a toddler handle an iPad better than their own shoelaces, you’ve witnessed the phenomenon of the “iPad kid”. Gen Alpha has grown up with screens as pacifiers and babysitters, which has resulted in incredible digital literacy but questionable attention spans. They’re used to instant gratification, short-form content, and a world where silence is intolerable… even if it’s for just three seconds.

“You ate bestie!”

Forget “bruh” and “lit” — Gen Alpha’s slang game is in a league of its own. They casually throw around phrases like “rizz” (charisma), “gyat” (a reaction to seeing big butts or a voluptuous woman), and “delulu” (delusional, but shortened because don’t they just love keeping things under three syllables). It’s a language that has left the older generations, myself included, a Gen Z, dumbfounded, but reflects how plugged in and socially aware these kids are.

Therapy who?

Unlike previous generations, Gen Alpha is being raised by parents (Millennials and Gen Z) who have done the work — think therapy, generational trauma-breaking, and emotional intelligence. The result? Kids who openly discuss their feelings, set boundaries, and call out toxic behaviours.

TikTok user @littlelandy, who works as an educator, recently shared how two 10-year-olds resolved an argument by recognising misplaced anger — something most adults still struggle with. 

Besides, let’s be real… most of us would either be crying or throwing a tantrum if caught in a similar situation. Agree?

Okay, entitled much.

With great self-awareness comes... a complete disregard for patience? While Gen Alpha’s emotional intelligence is often praised, some argue that it has evolved into a heightened sense of entitlement. These kids are incredibly in tune with their emotions, but does that mean they expect the world to adjust to them at every turn?

TikTok user @olivia.paige22, an educator, shares about the one time her 10-year-old student had a full-blown meltdown, crying and shouting for half an hour, because the rules of walkie-talkie tag changed.

Instead of adapting, he crumbled under the pressure of a minor inconvenience. The question of whether we are doing enough to prepare this generation for a reality that won’t always accommodate their every whim surfaces.

Hyper-fixation on looks

Remember when kids cared about toys and cartoons? Gen Alpha is more likely to obsess over face masks, anti-wrinkle serums (when they’ve perhaps yet to even hit puberty) and whatever else is trending on TikTok.

Their hyper-awareness of appearance starts young, thanks to influencer culture and targeted marketing. Instead of Barbie dolls, they’re asking their parents for Drunk Elephant skincare. Like, hello?

Authority? Never heard of it.

Gen Alpha doesn’t just question authority, they bulldoze over it. Unlike past generations, who were taught to respect hierarchy and follow rules without question, these kids know their rights, their boundaries, and their power. They are growing up in a world where traditional structures are being challenged, and they see no reason to conform just for the sake of it. While this can be empowering, it also presents challenges in environments where structure is necessary.

Educators report students openly defying rules they deem “unfair” and debating policies instead of simply following them. In workplaces of the future, this might mean an end to toxic office politics, but it could also lead to a workforce unwilling to compromise or respect established expertise.

Can these kids even read?

One of the most alarming concerns about Gen Alpha is the apparent decline in literacy and academic performance. Educators are noticing a widening gap, with some 7th graders struggling with content meant for 4th graders.

Many blame this on the pandemic’s disruptions, which left children with remote work and a lack of crucial foundational learning experiences. Others point to excessive screen time, arguing that constant digital consumption has diminished attention spans and reduced patience for traditional learning methods like reading books. Instead of writing essays, these kids are typing in emojis and abbreviations, making educators worry about the long-term impact on their communication skills.

If these trends continue, the workforce of the future might pride itself on unmatched creativity and “meme fluency”, but at the cost of essential literacy and critical thinking abilities.

The question remains: Is this a temporary shift, or are we witnessing a fundamental change in how the next generation learns and interacts with the world?

Let’s debunk

Older generations see Gen Alpha as bold, defiant, and downright disrespectful. A major factor? Parents who fail to hold them accountable, either due to lack of time, ignorance, or a mindset that excuses bad behaviour with “kids will be kids”.

With minimal consequences, many of these children grow up believing they can say and do whatever they please without repercussions. Some educators warn that if this trend continues, we’re setting Gen Alpha up for a rude awakening when the real world doesn’t accommodate their every whim. Talk about being petty?

Gen Alpha is a fascinating mix of emotional intelligence, digital savviness, and absolute disregard for outdated systems. Whether that’s a good or bad thing remains to be seen. One thing’s for sure: They’re not like any generation before them, and they’re rewriting the manual as they go.

Like it or not, Gen Alpha is here — and they came to slay.