What Birth Years are Considered Gen Alpha?

November 18, 2024

Gen Alpha is the generation that comes after Gen Z, and they’re now entering their teenage years. With every new generation, it can be difficult to know where the cutoff is for Gen Z to end and Gen Alpha to begin. Let’s dive into Gen Alpha and see exactly who is in this generation.

Gen Alpha Years

Generation Alpha includes children born from 2010 to 2025. One defining characteristic of kids in generation alpha is that they were born into a world where most people used smartphones. Gen Alpha follows Generation Z and is known for being highly connected, tech-savvy, and shaped by rapid advances in technology and global events.

When does Gen Alpha Start?

Generation Alpha starts in 2010. This marks the year after Generation Z ended, making Gen Alpha the first generation born entirely in the 2010s and beyond. 

When does Gen Alpha End?

The cutoff for Gen Alpha is in 2025. The exact end date isn’t firmly set, as generational boundaries can be flexible, but most experts agree that children born after 2025 will belong to the next generation.

Gen Alpha Age Range

Generation Alpha currently includes kids aged 0 to 14 years old. This age range covers those born from 2010 to 2025. This means that they are just now entering their teenage years. This also means that in school grades, they are between Kindergarten and 9th grade.

What comes after Generation Alpha?

The generation after Gen Alpha will most likely be Gen Beta. Considering the cutoff for Gen Alpha is in 2025, Generation Beta has not started yet and is not officially named. However, it is generally agreed that the next generation will be called Generation Beta to continue the naming trend.

What came before Generation Alpha?

Before Generation Alpha, there was Generation Z. Gen Z includes people born between 1996 and 2009. Gen Z grew up during the rise of smartphones, social media, and major global events like the Great Recession. 

Defining Characteristics of Gen Alpha

The most defining characteristic of Gen Alpha is that they were born into a world that is interconnected through the internet and everyone carries a smartphone. There is even a subset of kids referred to as “iPad kids” because their parents handed them an iPad tablet to keep them entertained. This access to information and technology has impacted Gen Alpha in the following ways:

• Tech-Savvy Digital Natives: They have had access to touch screens on portable devices and are fully fluent in those interfaces. It is also important to note that screen-time for kids in generation alpha exceeds Mayo Clinic’s recommendations.
• Tech-Enabled Learning: Online learning has become a growing trend, especially after the pandemic. Gen Alpha has access to an infinite library of educational resources on the internet and are the first generation to fully adopt virtual learning.
• Health-Conscious: The parents of children in Gen Alpha are making more health-conscious decisions when it comes to feeding their children. This is in retaliation for the rise of fast food and processed foods in the 1980s and 1990s.
• Short Attention Spans: Due to constant exposure to fast-paced media, Gen Alpha tends to prefer quick, engaging content and may have shorter attention spans compared to previous generations. Given that short-form content is their preferred form of media, it is also the origin of cultural trends and teen slang.

Generational Impact of the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic had a big impact on Generation Alpha, shaping their early years in unique ways. Many experienced interruptions in their education, with schools closing down and shifting to virtual classrooms. This increased their use of technology but also raised concerns about too much screen time. Social isolation during lockdowns made it harder for some kids to develop social skills, while others grew closer to their families thanks to more time at home. The pandemic also taught them the importance of health and hygiene and made them more aware of global issues. These experiences shape how they view the world as they grow up.

Final Thoughts on Gen Alpha

As Generation Alpha enters their teenage years, they’re officially the new kids on the block. So much attention has been placed into Gen Z trends, but we must make way for Gen Alpha. Born between 2010 and 2025, these children are growing up in a world dominated by technology, rapid global changes, and new ways of learning and connecting. Their tech-savvy nature, shaped by constant exposure to digital devices, sets them apart from previous generations.