But will the couple find the experience of raising him different from that of raising their first-born daughter (a Gen Alpha kid)? Will it be more difficult to parent him? Experts predict that millennials and older Gen Z parents who will raise Beta babies (born between 2025 and 2039) will face a unique set of challenges as their wards will grow up in a world where technology and artificial intelligence (AI) are fully integrated into daily life. Picture AI-powered robots assisting with daily tasks, self-driven cars, and personalized tutoring by bots — sounds like the sci-fi movies that fascinated audiences in the ’90s, doesn’t it? Well, who could have imagined Siri and Alexa in our lives two decades ago? Gen Beta which will comprise 16% of the global population by 2035. There is no need for new and prospective parents to be anxious. “The challenges are significant, but so are the opportunities. By preparing to balance tradition with innovation and values with technology, parents can power Generation Beta to thrive in a future that is both exciting and highly unpredictable.”
SET TECH BOUNDARIES:
The first step towards effective parenting in the coming times will be to embrace technology, instead of trying to live in denial. An older Gen Alpha child may remember when Alexa first came home and the excitement that followed, but for a Gen Beta it will be a regular affair to run to the living room and command/request Alexa to play ‘Wheels on the Bus’ or ask the black box to help with a multiplication sum. Parents of Gen Beta will have to accept that technology is a part of their child’s life and still set boundaries. “Parents need to stay informed about the latest tech trends, apps and platforms that their child may use so they can set appropriate limits.” There will need to be clear guidelines for screen time to ensure that it does not interfere with essential activities like sleep, school work, or physical activity.
Parents should not repeat the mistake that parents of Generation Alpha (kids born 2010 and 2024) made. “We handed over the iPad too early to our kids to sneak in a few minutes of peace at a restaurant or to attend that work call. But we saw how easily kids got addicted and how difficult it became to feed meals without showing the screen. Parents of Gen Beta should delay handing over a device as much as possible.”
Parents have to ensure their kids stay safe not just in the real world but also in the virtual world. Teaching kids about digital privacy and cyber safety will become a must to protect them from predators, cyber frauds, cyberbullying, and harmful content. Gen Z parents will likely be more cautious about what they share about their Gen Beta babies online unlike millennial parents who got carried away by the ‘sharenting’ trend when platforms like Instagram and TikTok became popular. “Gen Z knows more about both the positives and challenges that come with social media use from a young age.”
Considering Gen Beta will grow up in a world where 10-minute deliveries are the norm, parents may have to deal with more demands and tantrums too. Introducing the concept of delayed gratification from infancy to avoid unreasonable demands as the child grows. Let your child wait till the weekend to buy a new toy or start a toy exchange with friends in the building.
ONLY CHILD SYNDROME:
Considering the shift from the joint family system and the dipping birth rate, a majority of Gen Beta Kids may grow up without the presence of a sibling or grandparents. “Most kids will not experience healthy competition at home. They may not know what it is like to vie for parent’s attention, share toys and take turns.”
Parents of Gen Beta will have to work harder to ensure kids develop a strong bond with their parents and extended family and also to instill a sense of duty to family. “Don’t allow kids to skip family functions, festive celebrations, and religious gatherings. Ensure that they have ample opportunities to interact with grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins.” Giving your child a sense of pride about their heritage, culture, and family traditions is essential.
Cooking together, taking walks and scheduling game nights to promote strong and healthy relationships. “Parents will need to create tech-free zones at home. For example, dining table should be a no-device area where the family sits together to eat and chat.” Parents should also encourage kids to foster friendships at school or in the neighborhood and meet up with their friends physically.
“As kids grow up surrounded by virtual relationships and social media, the nature of real-world friendships is evolving. Parents must guide their children to develop deep, meaningful relationships. They need to navigate the complexities of virtual versus in-person social dynamics.”
“Forget Gen Alpha or Beta, even Gen Z is not used to picking up the phone and calling a parent or friend’s number to chat. They would rather ‘pebble’ (send a meme) to show they are thinking of you.”
CONNECTING BEYOND SCREENS:
Raising the next generation to be humane will be the biggest challenge for parents. “While we are more and more connected online, we are becoming disconnected from the real world. While social media interactions are going up, human interactions are reducing rapidly. In this scenario, how to maintain the humaneness, the softness and the personal touch? This is something parents will have to think about and work on.”
Parents of Gen Beta must encourage their kids to get out of the house more more than their predecessors are doing. They must show children how to care for plants, animals, and keep pets to keep the humane touch alive. Conversations about sustainability and minimalism will also have to become a norm as climate change has become a big concern globally. “We need to build an understanding of the planet. We need to explain to children why we need a green planet and why we should we care for the people and creatures around us.”
PRIORITIZE MENTAL HEALTH:
Generation Beta may face unprecedented pressures during their lifetime. They will not only face the pressure of getting high scores and gaining their parent’s approval, many will also feel the need to be constantly connected online and to live a certain kind of life to meet the standards set by social media platforms. “The hyper-connected world can exacerbate emotional sensitivity, that parents may struggle to help their children build resilience and emotional intelligence in an environment where likes and trolling can shape self-worth.”
The incidence of anxiety and stress is already on the rise among kids and may increase further among children, so parents need to make their child’s mental and emotional health a top priority. Your child did not win that gold medal? No worries. Your child was able to stay positive even when he did not crack the entrance exam? Bravo!
Parents will need to refrain from over-scheduling their kid’s lives to ensure they get free time and avoid burnout. they also need to show kids life beyond technology as they grow up. One way to do this is by prioritizing opportunities for creative expression outside of screens during the formative years.
“While it may be increasingly difficult to avoid technology, parents can intentionally crowd out digital devices by introducing activities such as painting, drawing, reading physical books, and exploring nature.” Engaging children is experiential learning about places, spaces, and people. “If we embed these valuable experiences in their minds, children will get encouraged to seek out non-digital activities rather than immediately reaching for devices.”
