Written by: Saman Khalid
Posted on: April 08, 2025 | 
| 中文
Screens are ruining relationships in Generation Alpha.
Doll houses, toy cars, lumps of play dough; these are the items one would normally associate with kids. For those approaching adolescence, outdoor sports and creative indoor games with friends used to be a customary occurrence a few years back. However, the situation has drastically transformed into an unrecognizable phenomenon. Generation Alpha (2010-2024) seems to be on the forefront of the technological revolution of the modern age. In this article, I will peel back the many layers of generation alpha's problematic attitude with regard to social media, and its widespread impact on their lives.
Generations explained
This term is specifically used for generation alpha kids who are addicted to screens. This addiction is different from that of other generations, because these children were basically born into it. Previous generations had the opportunity to experience a relatively screen-free childhood free of corruption, only to discover social media in their later years. On the other hand, our youngest generation has never known a life outside of the dystopian bubble of the internet. Why exactly is this a problem? This question has been answered numerous times before. Excessive use of digital devices hampers cognitive abilities, personality development, physical health and interpersonal skills. It kills all incentive to partake in healthy activities, and instead, serves glorified poison to impressionable kids on a silver platter. The most concerning aspect is the fact that they can't recognize the hazardous nature of the content they consume on a daily basis. They are totally oblivious to everything, which is exactly what social media takes advantage of. According to a study, 65% of generation alpha aged 8-10 spend 4+ hours a day scrolling social media, especially TikTok and Instagram.
Popular kid tiktokers
Constant online activity exposes young kids to predators and other criminals with shady objectives. Social media platforms function as free databases for cyber bullies to spot and target new victims. Over the last couple of years, content produced by kids has gained popularity, which mostly comprises trending dances. While the content in itself is harmless, it is the response to it that presents grave issues. Every Tom, Dick and Harry have access to this content, and the loose community guidelines of some social media apps, makes it incredibly easy for predators to comment on the videos and interact with vulnerable kids. They use emotional and psychological manipulation to lure kids into their traps, thus rendering the victim totally powerless. Young teens often don't realize the danger until it's too late, and once they do, they hesitate to reach out to their parents out of shame. This is a rising pandemic that manifests itself in various forms; from the normalization of pedophilic comments on Instagram to the romanticization of age-gap relationships.
The risk of online predators is always looming
Being chronically online makes the users believe in a fake world brimming with luxury, affluence, beauty and comfort. Influencers always post the best highlights of their lives, which in turn makes generation alpha question their own reality in favor of a fantasy world that doesn't exist. This makes it easy for companies to prey on young users in order to sell them their products, regardless of the dangers they pose. Expensive skin care, unnecessary makeup products, grown-up outfits and brand-name shoes; social media indirectly pressures generation alpha into buying the said items. This inadvertently gives rise to mental health and self-esteem issues, not to mention the fact that most of these products are actually designed for adults. Kids should be allowed to live freely, as opposed to constantly feeling the need to hop on a social media trend. They shouldn't be stressing about their body, facial features, weight, height and other so-called markers of beauty. Little kids don't need the products being advertised to them. They are simply exploited by profit-seeking industries and content creators because they are docile and easy to manipulate.
Young makeup influencers
It goes without saying that staying glued to screens all the time leads to the decline of relationships and friendships. Ipad kids are so busy swiping away at their phones, that they don't even notice the time slipping from their hands. Their attempts to replace real connections with online ones, seem to be missing the very essence of true relationships. Instead, they base their feelings on flimsy social media chatting flings. Almost every generation alpha kid seems to be doing this subconsciously, thus squandering the energy they could have invested in building real-life intimacy with other people. The sad part is that they would have a hard time trying to make friends even if they tried, simply because years of digital brain rot has destroyed their social skills and confidence.
Cyberbullying is a major issue in the modern world
I could go on and on about the disastrous consequences of social media on generation alpha, but most of it is common knowledge. While social media is a powerful tool that can be harnessed for good, its unregulated use has the potential to wreak mass havoc. Therefore, it is essential to maintain proper checks and balances, so that youngsters can indulge in the safe and balanced usage of the internet.
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