Generation Alpha: the kids aren't alright

Generation alpha, born between 2010 and 2025, are immersed in the digital age from birth. Growing up in a progressively media-driven world, young people are being exposed to technology and social media from a much younger age, which is already having significant mental and physical consequences. The desire to attain unrealistic lifestyles is removing children from the present moment, causing them to skip the fundamental developmental stage of their lives.

With social media now reaching younger audiences, 11-year-olds have already adopted a 10-step skincare routine, carefully crafted makeup techniques and excessive self-care practices. Not only is this imprinting on young people’s psyche as they feel the need to have indulgent and excessive lifestyles, the excessive use of beauty products and skincare is damaging to young skin. Anti-ageing products and retinol, for example, are particularly harmful to the skin barrier. The rise of TikTok has been a huge catalyst for this generation’s affiliation with beauty and indulgence. This social media influence is having both mental and physical effects on young people, particularly the mental torment of constantly desiring more, and striving to attain a certain prescribed lifestyle.

As we have seen the mental health epidemic worsening over recent years, the overwhelming presence of technology, social media, and political instability is most likely only going to perpetuate poor mental health in young people. Younger generations are constantly trying to navigate their own identity, trying to find their place amongst external societal pressures that constantly tell us who we should be and how we should look. However, although mental health continues to deteriorate and support services are seriously underfunded, understanding around mental health is certainly developing and public conversations are becoming increasingly common, so generation alpha may be best at prioritising wellbeing and inclusion. 

Political conversations regarding the climate crisis and human rights have certainly made a start in promoting environmental consciousness and inclusivity, therefore we expect generation alpha to continue this progression. The generation are certainly more connected, autonomous, and self-aware, but the influence of social media on young teens is particularly worrying. Young people are being indoctrinated by the media, constantly striving for the desired life and economic status. It seems we are constantly looking outwards and ahead into the future, but why can’t we slow down and turn our attention inwards on our individual lives?