Gen Alpha, The First Generation Growing Up with a New Parenting Approach

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Every generation grows up under different social, cultural, and technological conditions. These environments help shape the way people think, communicate, and interact with others. While Millennials grew up during the transition from analog technology to the digital era, Generation Alpha has been familiar with rapidly developing technology from an early age.

These differences have also influenced the way parents raise and support their children. The Indonesia Millennial and Gen Z Report 2026 (IMGR 2026), released by IDN Research Institute, highlights how older generations are beginning to prepare Generation Alpha through parenting approaches that emphasize emotional intelligence and social awareness.

In its discussion of Gen Alpha, IMGR 2026 also highlights a parenting approach that places greater emphasis on negotiation rather than one-sided instructions. This approach encourages children to manage their emotions, understand others' feelings, and develop critical thinking skills from an early age.

Emotional intelligence has become an important part of Generation Alpha's development. The report also links parenting for this generation with co-regulation, emotional literacy, and efforts to raise children with empathy and curiosity, rather than focusing solely on obedience to rules.

Amid increasingly technology-connected lives, digital literacy and online safety have also become important aspects of parenting. Generation Alpha is growing up at a time when digital devices and the internet are already part of everyday life. Therefore, the ability to use technology needs to be accompanied by an understanding of its impact and how to interact safely and responsibly in digital spaces.

The term “Alpha” refers to the generation born after Generation Z and regarded as the first generation to grow up entirely in the 21st century. The name uses the first letter of the Greek alphabet to signify a new beginning.

With a highly digital environment and parenting approaches that increasingly emphasize emotional intelligence and social awareness, Generation Alpha is expected to develop the skills needed to navigate an increasingly complex and connected world. Parents continue to play an important role in helping children make wise use of technological developments without overlooking social and humanitarian values.