A new study by SRH University shows how communication and media habits are changing from Generation Z to Generation Alpha - and what opportunities and risks this harbours.
Research in Focus
From Generation Z to Generation Alpha: How communication is changing in the digital age
In a new study, SRH University, together with the management and strategy consultancy Socratyes GmbH, takes a look at the growing importance of digital communication in our society. It uses literature analyses to shed light on how communication behaviour, media use and social interactions differ between Generation Z (born 1997 - 2012) and Generation Alpha (born 2010 - 2025) - and what consequences this can have for society, media, education and everyday life.
Research shows that Generation Alpha is growing up in a world in which technological expertise, global networking and adaptability are already taken for granted. These children and young people move fluidly between physical and digital spaces. Compared to Generation Z, whose communication is characterised by visual storytelling platforms such as Instagram or TikTok and the use of emojis and abbreviations, Generation Alpha is even more focused on visual, interactive and gamified formats - including the integration of AI-controlled tools such as chatbots.
At the same time, the study points to key challenges: Excessive screen use, data protection risks, digital dependency and psychological stress can impair healthy communication behaviour. The researchers therefore call for digital balance, media literacy and equal access to technology in order to make sustainable use of the potential of digitalisation.
"Generation Alpha will have a lasting impact on our society, the media landscape and the education system," explains Prof. Benjamin Zierock, Professor of Design and Innovation Development at SRH University. "For this development to be positive, we need to use technology correctly and design it ethically, empathetically and creatively."
The study emphasises the potential of immersive technologies, AI-supported learning processes and personalised communication tools to promote education and social interaction. At the same time, the authors call on educational institutions, policy makers and developers to create safe, inclusive and empowering digital environments that meet the communication needs of the next generation.
Original publication:
Benjamin Zierock, Jonas Schulze, Sieer Angar, From Gen Z to Generation Alpha: Navigating the Evolution of Communication in a Digital Age, SCIREA Journal of Education. Volume 10, Issue 2, April 2025 | PP. 69-80. 10.54647/education880581
That could also interest you
