Gen Alpha is Having a Bad Childhood Compared to Gen Z

Commentary by Julian Avent. Illustration  by The Chariot.

The difference between Gen Z (1997 - 2012) and Gen Alpha (2013 - 2024) is like night and day because of the way they grew up. Gen Z grew up going outside and playing, and making new friends along the way. Gen Alpha grew up in the house playing Roblox and looking at YouTube. Compared to Gen Z who grew up getting the skills needed to grow up and be a proper adult, Gen Alpha did not. Gen Alpha is trying to grow up too fast, but due to that they aren’t really getting all the childhood experiences they need to help them learn a lesson they need. When you go outside you most likely would see kids acting grow, they talk and act like adults. The ones who aren’t outside are mostly inside on their electronics. 

As more time goes on, kids go outside less and less. Gen Alpha is run by AI and it's not looking good for the generations after. As time goes on, AI will take over far more than anyone thinks because more people depend on AI to do a lot of things. Kids will only become more dependent on technology to do the things they should know how to do without it. 

We have to make sure that kids get the things they need to be successful in life. We have to find a way to make sure that Gen Alpha gets the social skills they need, like how to talk to people. I fear that if Gen Alpha doesn't get the skills they need, they won't know how to function in life.

Julian Avent is a junior at Friendship Collegiate Academy.