The increasing technological advancements in our everyday lives have exposed our developing children to the magnitude of social media, and we still don’t know the long-term effects. Nearly 30 years ago, social media was created, and at that time it was not yet a part of our daily lives. Now, we use social media to connect with both peers and strangers, portray a specific version of ourselves, and consume media — typically short videos and posts — at what seems like a constant rate. Prior to the invention of social media, young children would spend their time playing outside with their friends in the neighborhood, but these days it seems they spend the majority of their time on iPads and phones. The impacts of social media on the youngest generation are multifaceted, but I believe that the negative effects outweigh the positive ones.
Generation Alpha is the most recent generation, with many of its members not yet born. Although there is ambiguity surrounding the exact years of this generation, people born — or who will be born — between 2010 and 2025 are typically considered to be a part of Generation Alpha. Over 2.8 million Generation Alpha members are predicted to be born worldwide each week, and by 2025 there will be more than 2 billion of them, according to Britannica’s online encyclopedia.
Most preteens typically experience an awkward phase. In my middle school years, I wore high-top vans, patterns on patterns, and was definitely not a fashion icon. Now, I see middle schoolers who look like they could be my age, wearing nearly the same clothes as me, despite having a four-year age difference, and I think that social media is eliminating these years for this generation.
Even though I firmly believe that everyone should be free to dress however they choose and feel comfortable, it’s difficult to come to terms with why middle school students are acting like young adults. The majority of young adults experienced the same terrible pre-teen years that I did which helped them develop their personal style rather than imitating others’. The years that were previously uncomfortable for preteens have shifted; kids are now looking older, dressing older, and even thinking older due to the unparalleled accessibility and reach of social media. Those awkward years are vital, and due to social media and wanting to be the coolest and trendiest, members of Generation Alpha have lost out on times of self-discovery and growth.
Generation Alpha is often associated with the millennial generation, as most members of Alpha have millennial parents. According to Britannica, “Millennials’ habitual use of social media, including to share photographs, videos, or stories of their children, means that much of Generation Alpha will be online from birth.” From early childhood, they are the first to experience various new advancements, including remote classrooms that are reminiscent of COVID-19 times. “They will also likely be affected by the emerging use of artificial intelligence (AI), both through voice assistants like Siri or Alexa and natural language processing tools like ChatGPT,” says Britannica.
A few positive aspects of social media use for these kids include heightened creativity and participation. The exposure of Generation Alpha to social media sites such as Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok has led to a rise in both creativity and engagement in a variety of activities. They can interact with a worldwide community, share content, and express themselves on these platforms. Another positive is for late-stage capitalism: Generation Alpha is likely to make purchasing decisions that are influenced by the media they consume. As for the purchases this generation makes, we have already seen a rise in high-end product consumption, skyrocketing due to online trends.
While yes, Generation Alpha is likely to be more sociable and creative, there is also a shift in their educational needs, something we haven’t seen until now. Due to this generation being the first to grow up in a digital environment, the development of digital literacy skills and the integration of technology in learning environments is necessary.
Here we ask the big question: What about all of the negatives? Mental health, cyberbullying, low self-esteem, and even unrealistic standards are all concerns stemming from social media. Numerous studies have highlighted the potential for increased stress, anxiety, depression, and even sleep disorders due to the use of social media. Both the pressure to maintain an image online and the consistent exposure to various digital content facilitate these mental health concerns.
With the anonymity of the internet, it becomes easier and easier to cyberbully while being hidden by a fake name. Sydney Sanchez, an eighth grader, social media user, and member of Generation Alpha stated, “I’ve noticed that you can get cyberbullied, and it can even be dangerous to use social media.” Finally, the influence of social media can lead to unrealistic standards of beauty and appearance, particularly through beauty influencers, which can in turn lower self-esteem and body image among the youngest generation.
Not only has Generation Alpha been raised online, they have already begun to hop onto trends and some have seemingly skipped their awkward phases. The biggest trend by far was when all across the nation, young girls stormed the chain makeup store, Sephora. Leaving behind dolls, tea parties, and dress-up, for high-end skincare products and makeup which seem to be the generation’s newest craze, earning them the title of “Sephora Kids.” Sephora employees have had to navigate this trend while hoping to sell products while also protecting the innocence of Generation Alpha. An anonymous Portland Sephora employee had this to say: “They’re always around in the malls, our location was luckily never hit.” And this leads me to question, how do we as a society approach and counteract this issue of rapid maturity?
When this scandal exploded on various social media platforms, a conversation emerged with the older generations. Why are these young children, with such young skin, purchasing $60 anti-aging creams? This phenomenon reflects the societal pressure to maintain youthful appearances and critiques the culture that equates beauty with wellness and popularity. Using products like retinol and chemical exfoliants, which are not recommended for children under 25, exposes young skin to potential damage, turning what should be a preventive measure into a harmful routine. This situation underscores the need to reevaluate our approach to beauty standards and the products marketed to young consumers, emphasizing the importance of health and safety over the pursuit of trends.
Christina, also known as Teena M. Nelson, a Lincoln City librarian, as well as a mother and grandmother of many kids, is convinced that social media has negative effects. “Eye contact, physical presence, [and] distraction are just a few things. Is it better to multitask many things and be fair at most of those inputs? Or better to be good at focusing on a job, a class, research, and excelling?” Nelson is especially concerned about her grandchildren’s behaviors, specifically the younger children, the ones in Generation Alpha. “I fear online predators, I fear believing everything you hear as truth without questioning, [and] I fear the loss of debate.” She wonders, even with moderation, where does this addiction to the internet end?
Now, scientifically and psychologically, how do technology and social media impact these young children’s brain development? According to a ScienceDaily press release, a 2023 study review published in the peer-reviewed journal, “Early Education and Development,” found that “screen time leads to changes in the pre-frontal cortex of [children under the age of 12’s] brain[s], which is the base of executive functions such as working memory and the ability to plan or to respond flexibly to situations.”
There were various trends among the studies they reviewed, with some discovering screen time negatively shapes the brain functions required for things like attention, functional connectivity — which is how regions of the brain interact with each other, — and even inhibitory control, a core executive function that controls our automatic urges. On the other hand, other studies showed that higher screen time is associated with lower functional connectivity in brain areas related to language and cognitive control, meaning there is potential for negative effects on cognitive development. Unfortunately, it is safe to assume that the long-term effects of screen time and social media are psychologically negative.
So, how should we move forward with raising children in a world where technology is going to continue to advance at a rapid pace? Setting boundaries is a great first step as technology isn’t much of a problem when used in moderation. It’s important to remember that children learn through observation and imitation, and this especially carries over to technology use. Parents should consider raising their children with limited screen time, and when using technology and social media, teaching children to use it wisely and safely is a vital step which should be taken seriously.
In conclusion, Generation Alpha faces a complicated terrain of opportunities and problems due to the rapid growth of technology and the widespread usage of social media in their daily lives. Indisputably, social media has encouraged innovation, involvement, and a change in educational options, but it also comes with a lot of issues. In light of these factors, it is essential that parents, educators, and legislators set clear limits and restrictions regarding the use of technology. It is critical to strike a balance between the advantages of digital connectivity and the need to protect the mental and emotional health of our youngest generation as we continue to investigate the long-term effects of social media on Generation Alpha.
