Generation Alpha and The Internet. 

by PJ Keen, December 5th,  2023.

According to research by Mark McCrindle and Ashley Fell in their book Generation Alpha, Generation Alpha (b. 2010-2024) will live longer, have more education, and use technology in ways we can't even fathom. My first thought when reading this was, "I'm supposed to parent these high-tech kids!?" This seems like a monumental task, and all parenting through time has been. However, I would argue that with the progression of the Internet and social media, we are more or less building the plane as we are flying it. In this small article, we will look at how we can monitor their internet activity and keys to screen time and use these technologies to parent well and raise Godly kids. 

First, monitoring their internet activity is critical. In my opinion, no child under 18 should have an unmonitored, open door to the Internet. This may mean a VPN or a paid-for app where the parents can see what is being searched and looked at, or it may mean just a screen time lock. I have linked several monitoring apps that you can pay for. Thankfully, these have become more popular and are very good at what they do. You can also use parental control settings built into Google, iPhone, and Apple Products, which is free. I recommend using an app you pay for monthly while also using the parental controls. Because our kids are so tech-savvy, they can get around some shields if they try.

So, now that you have some shields up for your kid's Internet activity, what about screen time? The Mayo Clinic has a great article on screen time and media usage: "Children ages 2 to 5, limit screen time to one hour a day of high-quality programming. As your child grows, a one-size-fits-all approach doesn't work as well. You'll need to decide how much media to let your child use each day and what's appropriate." As a parent, deciding the appropriate amount of screen time is entirely up to you. However, it is critical that you set clear boundaries for screen time and be consistent. It would be unfair and the start of a fight if, as a family, you constantly change your view on screen time. Kids respond better when they know the expectations, and they are routine. 

Lastly, and most importantly, there are numerous ways to use technology to disciple your kids! They will be a high-tech generation, and we should guide them in using technology for spiritual growth. For example, YouVersion has a Kid's Bible App that is incredible. They also have daily verses for kids on their main Bible app. There are also reading plans for the families and the ability to create groups with friends and churches. Generation Alpha will never wonder but will look to the Internet and the information it gives. Encourage your kids to look up questions they have about the Bible, but be a part of the search so they know where to look. The Blue Letter Bible is a great free tool for study and research. There are numerous Bible translations online. I prefer the CSB version in my personal reading and with kids, though there are many good translations. The publisher of CSB has recently put QR Codes in their Explorer Bible for Kids that link readers with videos teaching on that specific text. This is an excellent way for the Bible to come to life for Gen Alpha in a way they understand. 

This is a good reminder for us all: Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."