Generation Alpha is Coming and They're Bringing their Ipads

Dr. Caryn M. Stanley, Associate Professor of Management and Corey Taubr, Student Athlete Accounting & Finance Major, University of Wisconsin-Platteville

No cap - Gen Alpha is about to shake up your institution, and this article spills the tea.

Born between 2010 and 2024, this generation has been immersed in smart technology from day one. The first members of this generation were born at the same time as the release of the iPad and witnessed the rise of social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram. For members of Gen Alpha, by the age of two, 4 in 10 children have their own tablet (The Common Sense Census, 2024). They’ve never known a world without smartphones, on-demand content, or FaceTime with grandma. While our research continues, we do know that Gen Alpha sees technology not as a tool but rather as an extension of their reality.

Individual preferences and habits will always matter more than generational labels. But the students entering classrooms - and the interns walking into offices - aren’t just “kids these days.” They’re part of a generation shaped by digital immersion, influencer culture, and rapid access to information. Leaders in education and business need to meet them where they are. That starts with rethinking how we teach, train, and lead. As one example, influencer and digital culture have blurred the lines between aspiration and achievement. When all you see is the carefully curated reel of success, the hard work that went into creating that success becomes invisible. Helping this generation build resilience, develop patience, and learn from failure won’t happen by accident. It’ll require intention—and, yes, patience.

In primary and secondary classrooms, we've seen the shift already. Traditional lectures won't work for many; if it takes longer than a TikTok to explain, learners are likely to disengage. Assignments without immediate relevance or clear instructions? Forget it. Gen Alpha prefers content that’s interactive, visually engaging, and easy to digest (Reaching Tech-Savvy Gen Alpha, 2024). Are you prepared?

“Whether you're in the classroom, the C-suite, or somewhere in between, it's time to rework your approach”

In group work, they’re collaborative but cautious. Many are more comfortable texting a peer than speaking up in person - which means conflict tends to get avoided, not addressed. At the same time, many are bright, curious, and eager to contribute but their communication comfort zone is digital. They’re used to edits, filters, and having time to craft a response. Spontaneous, face-to-face conversation is a different skill set and it’s one they haven’t had as much practice with. Patience will be required as we teach these learners how to manage everyday as well as difficult interactions.

We’re not seeing a lack of talent. We’re seeing a mismatch between how we’ve historically taught and managed and how this generation learns and communicates.

If you’re already teaching or managing Gen Z, you know that traditional onboarding, training, and classroom models are under pressure. Gen Alpha takes that to the next level. They expect clarity, relevance, and immediacy - and they’ll tune out if you don’t deliver. Whether you're in the classroom, the C-suite, or somewhere in between, it's time to rework your approach.

As educators and leaders, what can we do to prepare? Early research tells us what is working so far:

• Internships early and often - expose them to work environments in high school

• Lessons that are short, visual, and interactive - think gamified learning, not binders

• Clear structures - regular check-ins, defined goals, and frequent feedback

• Support systems - coaching, mental health resources, and resilience-building

• Growth mindset messaging - show that failure is part of learning

• Empathy, emotional intelligence, and patience - teach it, practice it, reinforce it

It’s easy to roll your eyes at a new generation’s quirks until they’re your student, your intern, your new hire, or your customer. Gen Alpha is coming fast, and they bring a different set of expectations, priorities, and communication norms (Jones, 2024; Kohan, 2024). If we want them to thrive, we need to evolve - starting now.

So, before Gen Alpha hits your Slack channel and starts asking about flexible hours, real-time feedback, and “why does your intranet look like it’s from 2007?” - get ready.

Touch some grass. Then revisit your syllabus, onboarding, and leadership playbook