Phones and other technology have become essential for everyday life, especially for Generation Z and Generation Alpha. Gen Alpha kids were exposed to technology very early in their lives, many of them getting iPads and phones before the age of 10. Gen Alpha is the generation born between 2010 and 2024, the generation after Gen Z.
Dempsey Ciconte ’26 said she sees how both generations, Gen alpha and Gen Z, are dependent on technology.
“The different dependencies cause big differences between two generations,” Ciconte said.
School also can play a big role in the age gap, with the advancing technology schools must keep up to date with. Due to the increased screen time exposure at such a young age Gen Alpha has a shorter attention span than Gen Z, which makes it essential to create content that is visually appealing and engaging.
Lyla Hampton ’26 said she thinks that society and culture have also had a role in this generation gap.
“Gen Alpha has been exposed to societal norms and expectations changing since they were born, I feel like this shapes them into different people because society is not the same as before,” Hampton said.
Growing up in an advanced world of technology can be beneficial, such as easy access to information and improved communication and connection with others, but it can also have some detrimental effects, like increased screen time and a lack of communication skills. A big issue, Hampton said she is scared of is the use of AI like ChatGPT.
“It is beneficial that Gen Alpha is growing up into an advanced world of technology, but I just feel like they might take the easy route out of school because of things like ChatGPT.” Hampton said.
A big worry that people like Stella Radu ’25 are concerned about is the need for technology. Gen Z is very dependent on technology and she fears that Gen Alpha is worse.
“Over the weekend, I babysat a 5-month-old and I noticed that the only thing that would get her to stop crying was when I put her in front of the TV,” Radu said.
This generation gap has shown many of the effects of technology and how it affects our communication skills along with our future. But individually and together, both generations want to do good.
“I think that each generation has their values and beliefs and together these generations can thrive.” Hampton said.
