In Jonathan Haidt’s excellent new book The Anxious Generation, the NYU social psychologist maps the impact of two formation engines in the lives of Gen Z: “Overprotection in the real world and underprotection in the virtual world… are the major reasons why children born after 1995 became the anxious generation.”
“Helicopter” and “Snowplow” parenting—shorthand for the overprotective norms that have taken over contemporary child-rearing—have undermined grit in kids the same way zero-gravity environments weaken muscles and bone density. Meanwhile, says Haidt, adult decision-makers have (strangely) left kids almost completely unprotected from a significant threat to their mental and emotional health—the almost-constant exposure to social media and the internet.
The confluence of these two cultural forces has produced isolation, loneliness, and anxiety among teenagers and young adults at unprecedented levels. But what about their younger brothers and sisters—the kids who are 13 and younger, generationally tagged as “Alpha’s”? These kids, born since 2010 and named Alpha’s because they are the first generation to live entirely in the new millennium, are a bit of a mystery because they are just now coming of age, able to offer perspective and context to their lives.
That’s why Springtide Research’s new release Thirteen: A First Look at Gen Alpha offers a timely, important spotlight on the emerging social markers that make them distinct. The report condenses insights from a survey of more than 1,100 13-year-olds—Alpha kids—into 13 takeaways. Here’s a sampler from that list:
- Age matters most to self-identity. More than gender, race, and family status, Alpha’s say the most important identifier is their status as fresh-out-of-childhood teenagers. It’s both awkward and exciting to be 13.
- Friendships—often racially diverse—feel central. We know that peer relationships are a primary focus of adolescent life, and Alpha’s say their friend groups are racially diverse and foundationally connected through social media.
- Smartphones feel “addictive,” and parents monitor use. Smartphones are a universal influence on Alpha’s everyday life, and almost half say they’re “addicted” to their device. Their parents are trying to limit the breadth and depth of their exposure to digital resources, but permission to explore is treated like an entitlement.
- COVID-19’s impact wasn’t all negative. Alpha’s say their family life actually benefited from the lock-down restrictions brought about by the pandemic. But the richer the Alpha’s family, the less the pandemic negatively impacted their relationships, physical and mental health, and education.
- Religion and spirituality are a common part of identity and life. Three-quarters of 13-year-olds (74%) say they are slightly (33%), moderately (28%), or very (13%) religious. According to Dr. Christian Smith’s ongoing research, that last marker generally matches the percentage of all Americans categorized as “religiously committed” (10%). A quarter of them say that their families talk about religion or spirituality “a lot” at home, and only 13% say their families never talk about it. Meanwhile, Alpha’s who believe in a higher power and who see religion as personally important are less likely to report feeling unhappy or lonely over the past month.
- Climate change haunts futures. More than half of the Alpha’s surveyed (60%) say they’re worried about the impact of climate change on their life, and almost half expect their lives to turn out different from their parents because of it.
- Artificial Intelligence sparks familiarity and creativity. AI is quickly becoming a common tool for Alpha’s at school, and many are using the technology to create art, for online gaming, and even for companionship.
- Loneliness, worry, and anxiety happen. Reflective of their older brothers and sisters, Alpha’s often feel lonely, worried, and anxious—in a typical month four out of 10 13-year-olds experience these stressors at least “sometimes.”
In 2025 we’ll be introducing a whole new set of ministry “experiments” to the cohort of churches in our Fourth-Soil Parenting Project—all of them designed to help parents learn everyday ways to “accompany” their kids as faith-nurturing influencers, helping them fuel an everyday relationship with God as they face the complex challenges of the new millennium. We know from this early spotlight on Alpha’s that these words from Jesus are not only our challenge, but our opportunity: “Wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest” (John 4:35). You can read more about what we’re doing with the Fourth-Soil Parenting Project HERE.
Register for our FREE Webinar with Princeton’s Dr. Kenda Creasy Dean – “Don’t Start With Why”
Save your seat for our FREE September webinar “Don’t Start With Why,” led by Dr. Kenda Dean, Professor of Youth, Church, and Culture at Princeton Theological Seminary and the author of Almost Christian and many other books. Kenda will guide you through an approach to Christian ministry that is both surprising and affirming at the same time. Despite the popularity of Simon Sinek’s “start with ‘why’” strategy, Kenda’s approach focuses more on what we feel than what we think. And that model for a compassion-driven, grace-drenched version of humanity is Jesus. We are not called to build better churches. We are called to be better humans who reflect God’s love. Join us on Thursday, September 19th, 2022 from 4-5 p.m. EST. Register HERE.
Help Is On the Way!
Fall is fast approaching, and we innovative, practical resources that will help you infuse your ministry environment with “rich soil” for transformation. First up, our just-released new resource Listening to Jesus Together. It’s a set of six carefully crafted “listening encounters” designed for three people to experience together—online or in-person. The goal is to give people in your congregation a weekly “reminder habit” to help them listen to Jesus in the context of a short-term small-community experience. Next, Following Jesus is a curriculum resource you can use with both adults and teenagers in your church this fall—help them explore what an ABIDING/REMAINING relationship with Jesus is like. It’s an experiential, highly interactive, co-discovery way to invite people into deeper intimacy with Jesus. And The Life of Jesus TalkCards is a simple, devotional way to invite small groups into the heart of Jesus.
Meanwhile, our first MasterClass of the Fall has launched! You can still join us on September 11 for Session 2 of “Reinvigorating Family Life In Your Congregation,” taught by Vibrant Faith Coach Denise Utter. A video recording of Session 1 is included with your registration. We all know the challenges that pastors, ministry leaders, and parents face today are unique and new to all of us. We are in a new age of learning how to equip and empower parents to be spiritual guides for their children. Denise Utter has pursued her vocation in the fields of education and ministry for the last 30 years, and has focused her energy on coaching individuals, teams, cohorts, and congregations in leadership trainings. She’ll share what she’s learned and encourage you in your journey. Register HERE.
Rick Lawrence is Executive Director of Vibrant Faith—he created the new curriculum Following Jesus. He’s editor of the Jesus-Centered Bible and author of 40 books, including his new release Editing Jesus: Confronting the Distorted Faith of the American Church, The Suicide Solution, The Jesus-Centered Life and Jesus-Centered Daily. He hosts the podcast Paying Ridiculous Attention to Jesus.
Just Released!
Listening to Jesus Together is a set of six carefully crafted “listening encounters” designed for three people to experience together. The goal is to give people in your congregation a weekly “reminder habit” to help them listen to Jesus in the context of a short-term small-community experience… Learn More Here
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