Every generation faces its own struggles, but Gen Alpha — the kids born between 2010 and 2024 — are stepping into a world that might just be more unpredictable than anything previous generations could have even thought of.
While boomers, Gen X, millennials, and even Gen Z had their own unique challenges to face, many of the problems Gen Alpha will have to deal with weren’t even thought about a few decades ago. Here are just some of the major issues they’re going to inherit, whether they like it or not.
1. The complete takeover of artificial intelligence
Older generations saw artificial intelligence as some futuristic concept from sci-fi films, but for Gen Alpha, it’s just part of life. AI isn’t just helping out with homework; it’s shaping industries, replacing jobs, and influencing everything from entertainment to education. The biggest challenge is figuring out where humans still fit in a world where machines can do so much. As AI continues to evolve, this generation will have to navigate the blurry line between human creativity and artificial intelligence efficiency.
2. A world where deepfakes and misinformation are pretty much everywhere
Source: Unsplash Older generations had their fair share of fake news and propaganda, but Gen Alpha is growing up in a world where it’s nearly impossible to tell what’s real and what’s not. Deepfake videos, AI-generated voices, and highly convincing fake news will make it harder than ever to separate fact from fiction. That means they’ll need an extreme level of media literacy just to navigate everyday life, especially because believing the wrong information could have serious real-world consequences.
3. A digital footprint they never agreed to
Source: Unsplash Most millennials and Gen Z got to choose when to put themselves online, but Gen Alpha? They’ve been on the internet since before they could walk. Many of them had their first photos posted before they were even born. By the time they grow up, their entire childhood will already exist on social media, sometimes in ways they might not be okay with. Managing a digital identity they didn’t create is going to be a challenge older generations never had to think about.
4. The pressure to be “brandable” from a young age
Source: Unsplash With social media and personal branding taking over, Gen Alpha will grow up in a world where success isn’t just about talent or hard work, it’s about marketing yourself. Influencer culture, personal branding, and self-promotion are going to be essential skills, not just optional ones. That’s a lot of pressure for a generation that’s still figuring out who they are. Instead of just enjoying childhood, many will feel the need to curate an image from day one.
5. Climate change at full force
Source: Unsplash Previous generations debated climate change; Gen Alpha will have to live with it. Rising temperatures, extreme weather, and environmental crises aren’t just theories anymore — they’re happening right now. For Gen Alpha, things like food shortages, climate migration, and natural disasters will be part of normal life. While previous generations had the luxury of ignoring it, they won’t have that option. They’ll be the ones dealing with the consequences of decisions made decades before they were even born.
6. An economy that’s wildly unpredictable
Source: Unsplash Millennials and Gen Z already had a rough time with rising costs, stagnant wages, and housing crises. But for Gen Alpha, things are looking even messier. The global economy is shifting fast, traditional career paths are disappearing, and job security is becoming harder to find. They’ll have to navigate an economic system where the old rules don’t apply — and where adaptability and multiple income streams might be the only way to stay afloat.
7. A future where privacy barely exists
Older generations worried about people spying on them; Gen Alpha will grow up in a world where surveillance is just a normal part of life. Smart devices, facial recognition, and online tracking mean that privacy is slowly disappearing. While past generations could choose to stay off the grid, this generation won’t even have that option. Everything they do, say, or search could be recorded, stored, and analysed.
8. Social skills shaped by screens
Every generation complains about “kids these days” being glued to screens, but Gen Alpha is the first to be fully raised in a world where screens are their primary social space. Face-to-face interaction is becoming less common, and digital communication is the default. That means they might struggle with in-person interactions in ways previous generations never did. Social anxiety, miscommunication, and the inability to read body language could become even bigger issues.
9. Mental health struggles caused by constant connectivity
Millennials and Gen Z were the first to see the effects of social media on mental health, but Gen Alpha is the first to be fully immersed in it from birth. They won’t know a world without online comparison, cyberbullying, or the pressure to be always available. With endless exposure to curated perfection, their self-worth will be tested in ways no generation before them experienced. Finding a way to protect their mental health while staying connected is going to be one of their biggest battles.
10. A world where in-person jobs are disappearing
As automation and AI take over, traditional 9-to-5 jobs might not even exist for Gen Alpha. Many industries that once provided stable careers could be wiped out entirely. They’ll have to build careers in a world where technology moves faster than the job market can keep up. Learning how to adapt, retrain, and stay ahead of automation will be crucial for their survival.
11. The rise of hyper-personalised advertising
Older generations had to sit through generic ads; Gen Alpha will experience*marketing so personalised it feels like mind reading. AI-driven advertising will track their every move, learning their habits, predicting their interests, and tailoring ads so specifically that it’ll be hard to tell where their thoughts end and marketing begins. With consumer data being more valuable than ever, they’ll have to figure out how to resist manipulation in a world where every decision is being subtly influenced.
12. The reality of living longer, but not necessarily better
With medical advancements, Gen Alpha might live longer than any generation before them. But longevity doesn’t always mean quality of life. Longer lifespans mean more years in a broken healthcare system, longer working lives, and the challenge of funding retirement in a world where costs keep rising. While boomers worried about retiring at 65, Gen Alpha might have to work well into their 80s just to afford basic living expenses. The concept of “growing old gracefully” is about to change drastically.
13. A society that changes faster than they can keep up with
Technology, culture, politics — everything is shifting at lightning speed. Previous generations had time to adjust to new changes, but Gen Alpha will have to constantly adapt to a world that never stays still. That means lifelong learning won’t be optional, it’ll be essential. The ability to change, evolve, and stay ahead of rapid shifts will be the difference between thriving and falling behind.
