Generation Alpha: Navigating childhood in a digital age

The two-year-old settles on a bench outside her mom’s office and taps the YouTube icon on the phone in her hands.

She knows exactly where to find the adventures of ‘Dora the Explorer’ – without the help of a grown-up.

Barely able to read, Noah Mbako relies on familiar icons, pictures and videos to find her way around the device.

Following a busy day at a crèche in Windhoek West, filled with learning and playing, she gets lost in the digital world of her favourite screen characters.

Eyes fixed on the screen, she becomes oblivious to the world around her. She does not respond when spoken to.

WHO IS GEN ALPHA?

Noah belongs to Generation Alpha, or ‘Gen Alpha’ – all children born between 2010 and 2024.

This is the first generation to be named after a letter of the Greek alphabet.

Gen Alpha children are exposed to technology almost as soon as they are born.

Reports reveal there could be around two billion of them roaming the planet by next year, making them the largest generation to exist in the history of mankind.

Experiencing the Covid-19 pandemic around 2020 greatly influenced their worlds. When schools closed during lockdowns, many children had to navigate their way around online classes – all on their own at a very young age.

With their parents working from home during the pandemic, they may have seen more of them, but this also meant more screen time.

Many Gen Alpha children got used to hanging out online instead of in person. Instead of having play dates, they got accustomed to chatting on messaging apps, playing online games together, or meeting up on video calls.

SCREEN ADDICTS

Swakopmund-based Danny Shigwedha is the father of six-year-old Sage Shigwedha.

He says he tries to have as much control over her screen time as possible.

“It’s not always easy though,” he says.

Shigwedha says screens can limit face-to-face interaction, affecting children’s ability to read non-verbal cues and form meaningful relationships.

“The internet exposes my daughter to topics I am not ready to discuss with her yet.

That’s why I don’t allow her to watch YouTube and TikTok without my supervision,” he says.

Shigwedha says parents are crucial in shaping their children’s future behaviour.

“I want to help my daughter develop adaptability, resilience, and a love for learning, so she can thrive in a future that will likely demand continuous growth and flexibility throughout her life,” he says.

Shigeweda predicts the exponential development of artificial intelligence (AI) would have a significant influence on Gen Alpha’s career choices.

“Their lifestyles may be more integrated with technology, potentially with more remote work, and their career choices will greatly be influenced by AI,” he says.

ALL ABOUT MONITORING

Peyavali Shiyuka, the mother of a three-year-old girl, says: “My daughter started using gadgets as early as when she was a year old. We found child-friendly singing shows to keep her busy while I handled chores.”

Shiyuka says her daughter’s favorite app is YouTube, but she makes sure the toddler primarily watches educational shows.

“Most of what she watches is centred around academic education,” she says.

Shiyuka is firm about monitoring.

“When I give her my phone, I always check what she’s watching. It’s a big deal for me and her father,” she says.

Shiyuka says her daughter hasn’t figured out anything tricky yet, “but she’s clicked on things I didn’t even know existed on my phone”.

She describes her child’s relationship with technology as fun and educational.

Despite the benefits of technology, Shiyuka emphasises balance.

“Her learning and reading are scheduled and her TV time is limited.

She spends more time outdoors playing than in front of screens.”

DIGITAL DISCOVERIES

Four-year-old Darion Sheehama’s fascination with planets and the solar system began when he was just two years old.

His mother, Saima Ambata, says: “I would usually hand him my phone or laptop to keep him distracted while I was busy attending to something.”

One day, Darion stumbled across a video about planets on YouTube, sparking an enduring passion.

“He would ask for my phone to watch the planets since he was two.”

Darion’s interest in planets has extended beyond simple entertainment.

His mother says he has acquired valuable skills through his screen time, including spelling, writing and even communication skills.

“He has learnt how to spell his name, draw and even how to express himself in the English language,” she says.

“I always monitor him whenever he has the phone. He is also aware of what is appropriate for him to watch.”

Ambata believes the internet, despite its potential risks, can be a powerful tool for preparing children for school when properly supervised.

Asked about how screen time affects her son socially, Ambata says he does not quite interact much with other children.

“He barely engages in outdoor activities, as he is always either drawing or watching planet videos,” she says.

Ambata is convinced her son will gradually learn social skills as he gets older.

THE DARK SIDE

Psychologist Veronica Theron describes Gen Alpha’s consumption of technology as being “second nature”.

While acknowledging the benefits of the use of technology to enhance daily productivity, Theron highlights the potential dangers it poses to a developing child.

“Over-reliance on technology can damage our children’s self-esteem, slow their relationship development, create a lack of empathy and hinder their emotional development,” she notes.

According to Theron, bad communication skills, less time spent with family and loved ones, fewer physical activities, mindless eating in front of television screens, and spreading misinformation are just some negative effects the over-consumption of technology and AI have on Generation Alpha.

She encourages strong monitoring of content, highlighting that excessive and unsupervised consumption can lead to serious behavioural defects, such as a lack of empathy.

“Children and teens who use the internet for over three hours a day are often diagnosed with depression.

Excess screen time inhibits young children’s ability to read faces and learn social skills – two key factors needed to develop empathy,” she says.

Additionally, Theron notes that conditions like anxiety, depression, slow responsiveness, reduced physical activity, a short attention span, social isolation and aggression are common among children who spend too much time glued to screens.

‘SOFT’ PARENTING

The term ‘soft parenting’ refers to the Montessori technique known as ‘gentle’ parenting.

It focuses on offering guidance and support to children and young people while also clearly defining boundaries.

Theron encourages gentle parenting for Gen Alpha children.

She says it aims to raise confident, independent and happy children through empathy, respect and understanding and setting healthy boundaries.