Gen Z vs. Gen Alpha: Trends and Characteristics

November 20, 2024

Generations are more than just age groups—they have cultural differences due to the experiences they went through. To older generations, Gen Z and Gen Alpha might seem very similar, but they actually have significant differences. For example, Gen Z remembers a time before smartphones were everywhere, while Gen Alpha has never known a world without them. Let’s dive into what makes Gen Z and Gen Alpha stand out and explore how they compare.

Gen Alpha vs Gen Z: Years and Age Ranges:

Gen Z includes people born between 1996 and 2009, which means they are currently between 15 and 28 years old. Most of Gen Z are either in high school, college, or starting their careers. They grew up during a time when the internet, social media, and smartphones became part of everyday life, but many still remember a time before these technologies were everywhere.

Gen Alpha, on the other hand, includes kids born between 2010 and 2025. They are now between newborns and 14 years old, which means they are mostly in elementary and middle school, with the oldest just starting high school. Gen Alpha is the first generation to grow up completely surrounded by advanced technology, like smart devices, AI, and virtual reality, shaping how they learn and play from an early age.

Technology Trends For Gen Alpha and Gen Z

Gen Z grew up during the rise of social media, smartphones, and streaming platforms, making them digital natives. However, many of them remember using older technology, like “dumb phones” and desktop computers in school libraries. They were the first to fully embrace platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube, which became a big part of their social lives and entertainment.

Gen Alpha, on the other hand, has been surrounded by advanced technology and mobile devices from the moment they were born. They’ve grown up with smartphones, tablets, voice assistants like Alexa, and other smart devices as normal parts of their daily lives. They are also the first generation to use artificial intelligence and augmented reality from a very young age. This constant exposure to cutting-edge tech influences how they learn, think, and communicate.

Gen Alpha and Gen Z Social Media Usage

Social media is a huge part of how Gen Z communicates and stays connected. They’ve grown up using platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok on a daily basis. These platforms are their main source of communication and media consumption. Gen Z also remembers when social media was newer, with platforms like Facebook and Twitter being more popular, so they’ve seen how social media has changed over time.

For Gen Alpha, social media is just starting to play a bigger role as they get older. Most social media platforms require their users to be over the age of 13, so the majority of Gen Alpha is not supposed to be on there yet. However, they’ve seen their parents regularly use social media, and are likely to be strong users when they get older.

Gen Alpha vs. Gen Z: Differences in Education

Education has been very different for Gen Z compared to previous generations. They grew up with a mix of traditional teaching methods and new digital tools, like online assignments and learning apps. In high school and college, almost all of their schoolwork was done on computers. Gen Z also experienced the shift to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, which changed how they view education.

For Gen Alpha, digital learning has been part of their lives from the beginning. Many kids in this generation started using tablets, learning apps, and even AI-powered tools in elementary school. They are growing up with virtual classrooms, gamified learning, and personalized online platforms as normal parts of their education. Gen Alpha sees technology as a natural and expected part of how they learn. Similarly to Gen Z, Gen Alpha’s education was also disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, they were much younger when this disruption occurred.

Values and Priorities

Gen Z is a generation that cares a lot about social issues and making a positive impact on the world. They are passionate about topics like climate change, mental health, and social justice. With easy access to information through the internet and social media, they are well-informed and often use these platforms to raise awareness and push for change. Gen Z values diversity, inclusivity, and authenticity, and they expect the same from the brands, organizations, and people they support.

Gen Alpha is still growing up, but it’s likely they will share many of Gen Z’s values. They are expected to be even more focused on finding solutions to big problems like sustainability and other global challenges. With access to advanced technology, Gen Alpha will probably use tools like AI and virtual reality to create new ways to solve problems. It is important to note that Gen Alpha cannot vote yet, and it will be interesting to see how they get involved politically.

Media Consumption and Entertainment

Gen Z and Gen Alpha both love digital entertainment. Both generations enjoy streaming services like Netflix and YouTube, as well as interactive content such as video games and apps. They also share a love for short, engaging videos, with TikTok and similar platforms being popular across both groups.

Since Gen Alpha is younger, the content they watch is more child-friendly. For example, younger Gen Alpha kids might watch shows on platforms like YouTube Kids or play educational games, while older Gen Z teens and young adults prefer more mature content, such as Netflix dramas or multiplayer online games. However, it is important to note that most of Gen Alpha is under 13, so they cannot create their own social media accounts yet and a lot of the content they consume is curated by their parents.

Parental Influence

Gen Z was raised by Gen X and older Millennials, whose parenting styles focused on teaching independence and adaptability. Many Gen Z kids were given a mix of structure and freedom, learning to navigate a rapidly changing world as technology and social norms evolved. Their parents encouraged them to be self-reliant but also emphasized the importance of education and preparing for the future.

Gen Alpha, on the other hand, is being raised by Millennials and younger Gen Z parents. These parents focus on emotional intelligence and fostering creativity, while keeping an eye on the impact of screen time. Millennials, in particular, are tech-savvy and often use technology to enhance their children’s learning and entertainment. However, they are also mindful of creating a healthy balance between digital and real-world experiences. As a result, Gen Alpha is growing up in an environment that values both innovation and well-being.

What is Gen Zalpha?

Gen Zalpha refers to the people born in the transitional years between Gen Z and Gen Alpha, which is 2008-2012. Since it’s difficult to create a cutoff from one generation to the next, those born within transitional years feel like they relate with parts of both generations. This is similar to “zillennials” who are the people stuck between being a Millennial and Gen Z.