Written by: Yew Yihan Bryan, Wong Jing Xuan Janelle, See Toh Wei Quan Rafael, Clarissa Tan Hexin
Generation Alpha, also known as Gen Alpha, is the first generation to grow up in a tech-saturated world. Born after 2010, they have been shaped by smartphones, tablets, and social media since day one.
The COVID-19 pandemic intensified Gen Alpha’s use of digital technology. Virtual learning, social media, and remote playdates have become a norm in their lives. However, this digital dependency came with its downsides too. Fewer social interactions, isolation, shorter attention spans and communication barriers with their predecessors are commonly observed traits within Gen Alphas. Some even fear that the themes of “Brain Rot,” a phenomenon where internet trends and memes dominate the mind, may worsen such issues. As these digital natives grow, many question whether this generation will face more challenges than ever before. So are Gen Alphas doomed from the start? Or are they the most resilient generation yet?
How do Gen Alphas Interact with Technology?
Although Gen Z also grew up with technology and social media to some extent, the advancement in technology between generations has made the way Gen Alphas interact starkly different.
While previous generations tend to start online interactions much later, Gen Alphas have started interacting online as early as the age of 8. According to a report by the Morning Consult, 65% of Gen Alphas from age 8-10 spend more than 4 hours on social media. This has led to them developing their own internet culture commonly referred to as “Brain rot”.
Brainrot involves terms like ‘skibidi toilet’ and “sigma” which mostly originate from meme videos aimed at children. For example “skibidi Toilet” originates from a Youtube web series of people who live in toilets and the word “skibidi” generally has no discernable meaning. Meanwhile “sigma” originates from the Greek word with the same spelling, but has quickly gained a rise in popularity with its use in meme videos. The word, in Gen Alpha terms, is used to describe a person who does things on their own accord.
The repetitive and thoughtless nature of brainrot has quickly influenced the young minds of Gen Alpha. While other generations may find this as something to scoff at, for Gen Alpha, brainrot plays a huge role in their communication.
Gen Alphas' Thoughts
For 10-year-old Gen Alpha Brennan Wong, “Brain Rot” culture is quintessential. “Skibidi Tower Defence and Toilet Tower Defence on roblox are games I play,” he shared.
However, it’s not just about entertainment. He consistently uses “Brain Rot” language in his daily conversations with family and friends, highlighting meme culture’s influence on their behaviour. As Brennan puts it, “I think it’s (the content he consumes) good for me because it’s very sigma”, referencing the online trend that embraces individualism.
With Gen Alpha’s constant exposure to the internet, problems are already starting to arise. Some countries such as Ireland, have already started limiting Gen Alpha’s interaction with brain rot content due to concerns of it being detrimental towards their mental health.
Meanwhile, a study conducted by Ofcom reported that an increasing number of Gen Alphas face difficulty focusing on one screen at a time due to their extended screen time at a young age. As such, there may be more issues that Generation Alpha may face when they grow up.
Social Skills and Development
Technology has been found to severely affect the social skills and development of Generation Alpha children. Although these children show impressive digital literacy, their dependence on screens often results in reduced face-to-face interaction due to their early exposure to innovative technology, such as watches that enable texting parents and personal learning devices (PLDs). According to Penny Mallory, this shift can hinder their social and emotional development, as they struggle with essential interpersonal communication skills like empathy and conflict resolution. Because this limits their in-person interactions, many have leaned towards online interactions.
Gen Alphas also face an increased risk of mental health concerns. The same article by Penny Mallory, mentions that with technology enabling instant access to information and entertainment, Gen Alpha is accustomed to instant gratification. This expectation of instant results can lead to reduced patience when faced with challenges requiring concentration. The ability to obtain information and entertainment with just a few clicks makes the use of technology overstimulates them, too. This inhibits creativity, as children feel the need to succumb more and more to outside stimuli than anything else, eventually affecting their cognitive development. An article by the Daily Nebraskan also points out the risk of self-esteem issues is also expected due to their exposure to social media at a young age, creating comparisons with curated online personas and creating unrealistic standards of beauty and success.
