This story originally appeared in Kids Today, Vox’s newsletter about kids, for everyone. Sign up here for future editions.
Throughout history, adults have often found themselves bewildered by the whims and fancies of youth culture. A classic example is the scene from the 1964 film A Hard Day’s Night, where the Beatles face a barrage of questions from older journalists, revealing a generational gap that remains relevant today. Fast forward to the present, and the cultural landscape of Generation Alpha—those born between 2010 and 2024—seems particularly elusive. With the demise of a unified monoculture, today’s youth are not only consuming content differently but are also engaging with it in ways that challenge traditional norms.
Kids don’t need mass media anymore
Unlike previous generations, who navigated their cultural experiences through curated outlets like magazines, MTV, and radio, today’s youth are carving their own paths. BJ Colangelo, a media theorist, notes that while young people may not be watching the same shows, they are still actively participating in culture, albeit on their own terms. The gatekeepers of yesteryear have been replaced by a digital landscape where social media reigns supreme, allowing children to consume content that resonates with them personally.
As a result, nearly half of younger kids’ viewing time is now spent on platforms like YouTube and TikTok. These social media trends can create shared experiences, but they also foster a multitude of micro-communities, each with its own unique flavor of content. Jenna Jacobson, an associate professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, emphasizes that young people are experiencing a series of fleeting cultural moments—be it a viral meme or a trending sound—rather than a singular, cohesive cultural narrative.
Interestingly, many of these trends are rooted in video games, which serve as a unifying force among young people. A survey conducted by the Center for Scholars & Storytellers at UCLA revealed that a mere 12 percent of 10- to 24-year-olds reported not playing games. Yalda T. Uhls, the center’s founder, highlights gaming as a communal space where children can connect, especially in a world that has increasingly restricted their freedom to play outside.
What kids want from media now
In a post-pandemic world, the desire for connection is palpable among young people. They seek safe spaces where they can express themselves without the scrutiny of adults. Uhls points out that the top priority for Gen Alpha and Gen Z is to feel secure, a sentiment that resonates deeply in a landscape fraught with challenges such as climate change and societal unrest. The media they consume, including video games, often provides a comforting escape from these realities.
Colangelo further elaborates on this need for safety, noting that Gen Alpha has grown up under the watchful gaze of social media, where their digital footprints are often created without their consent. This has led to a preference for sandbox and open-world games like Roblox and Minecraft, which allow children to construct their own narratives and communities, free from external judgment.
The success of films like A Minecraft Movie underscores this trend, as they cater specifically to the interests of children rather than pandering to adult nostalgia. Colangelo argues that much of today’s mainstream culture is steeped in the past, appealing to the tastes of parents and older generations rather than the children themselves.
While adults may express concern over the perceived fragility of today’s youth, it is crucial to recognize that their media habits often reflect a desire for autonomy. Young people are actively resisting content that feels forced upon them, seeking instead to reclaim their agency in a world that has often overlooked their voices. This dynamic presents both a challenge and an opportunity for adults to reconsider how they engage with the younger generation and the cultural narratives they wish to share.
What I’m reading
The Department of Health and Human Services is set to release its second MAHA report, which will include recommendations for enhancing children’s health. However, a draft obtained by the New York Times reveals that it lacks necessary restrictions on pesticides, a move experts argue is essential to combat the rise in chronic diseases among children.
In Oklahoma, new regulations will require teachers from California and New York to pass a certification test on biological differences between genders before they can teach in the state. This follows an earlier announcement that all teachers must incorporate biblical teachings into their curricula.
Wired recently posed questions about AI to a group of children, with one standout response from Leo Schodorf, who expressed a polite approach to interacting with AI, reasoning that kindness might be beneficial if AI were to take over the world.
On a lighter note, my little one has been enjoying Zog, a whimsical tale about a dragon who takes on the role of an ambulance. Additionally, journalist Alyssa Rosenberg has launched a new Substack dedicated to children’s literature, which is worth exploring.
