Did you know that children born from 2025 onwards will be part of the newest generation called Gen Beta? These kids will grow up fully immersed in AI and the digital world, making the way we raise Gen Beta children completely different from previous generations.
Looking back at the generational divisions over the past 100 years, we have Gen Y (1981-1996), Gen Z (1997-2009), Gen Alpha (2010-2024), and now Gen Beta (2025-2039), who are expected to grow up in an even more open world in terms of technology, creativity, and social diversity.
Parents of Gen Beta children might wonder what Gen Beta really is and how to prepare for raising kids who grow up alongside advanced technology. This article has the answers.
Generation Beta, or Gen Beta, refers to children born from January 1, 2025, to 2039. They are the generation following Gen Alpha, likely with parents from Gen Y (Millennials) or Gen Z.
What makes Gen Beta stand out is that these kids will never know a world without AI. They will live in a world where technology is deeply embedded in every aspect of life. Additionally, Gen Beta is expected to have significant demographic changes; researchers predict that by 2035, Gen Beta will make up 16% of the world population and may live well into the 22nd century.
Characteristics of Gen Beta Children
This generation will have personalities different from previous ones because they grow up with AI, digital technology, and social changes. Key traits include:
- Connected to the digital world but still true to themselves: Gen Beta will be familiar with AI, Metaverse, VR, and AR from a young age, able to balance technology use with expressing their real-world identities.
- Safe digital identities: Gen Beta will likely be born with or quickly learn digital literacy. Online safety, such as protecting personal data and using social media responsibly, becomes essential skills for this generation.
- Open to diversity: Gen Beta accepts diversity more openly, having the chance to experience a broader world than previous generations. They grow up in culturally, religiously, gender-wise, and ideologically diverse societies, fostering understanding and respect for differences.
- Environmentally and sustainability conscious: Despite living in a highly advanced technological era, Gen Beta grows up amid environmental crises. They will prioritize global warming issues and environmental conservation.
- Adaptable and resilient: Raised in times of rapid change—climate, politics, society, and technology—Gen Beta will develop flexible thinking, adaptability, and strong problem-solving skills.
- More mindful of mental health: Influenced by Millennials and Gen Z’s openness about mental health, Gen Beta will have high emotional intelligence, better self-awareness, empathy, and easier access to mental health resources than ever before.
6 essential skills Gen Beta children must have:
1. Critical Thinking — Think analytically and know how to question
Gen Beta will grow up in an era with massive information at their fingertips. Critical thinking is necessary to distinguish truth from misinformation and to dare to question what they see or hear, not just passively accept information but think further and see the bigger picture.
2. Adaptability — Be flexible and ready to learn new things
Rapidly changing technology and world require kids to constantly learn, embrace change, not fear trial and error, and confidently keep up with global trends.
3. Emotional Intelligence (EQ) — Understand their own and others’ emotions
In an increasingly connected world, EQ is indispensable. Gen Beta must manage their emotions, understand others’ feelings, and build good relationships both offline and online.
4. Digital Literacy — Use technology wisely and safely
Technology will be part of their lives from birth. Digital literacy helps Gen Beta use technology beneficially, access information smartly, and protect themselves from online threats.
5. Collaboration — Work in teams and build global cooperation
Working with people from diverse ideas and cultures will be normal for Gen Beta. Teamwork skills, listening to others, and building cooperation are essential to solve problems on a global scale.
6. Sustainability Awareness — Care about the environment and sustainability
Growing up amid worsening environmental issues, Gen Beta will be conscious of sustainability, understand the impact of their actions, and work together to create a planet-friendly future.
How Gen Beta parents need to adapt
How to raise Gen Beta children? Being a parent of Gen Beta children is not easy because their world is full of rapidly advancing information and technology. Therefore, parents must learn and adapt to keep up with the changing world. Parenting Gen Beta is not just about raising children but about learning and growing together, since the world their children will grow up in is completely different from the one parents once knew.
Parents today must open their minds and let go of some old beliefs, because what was once considered right may no longer fit the modern era. For example, authoritarian parenting may not work for children raised in a world that encourages questioning and critical thinking. Parents need to learn how to communicate with their children in a way that fosters understanding and mutual respect.
Another important aspect is adapting to technology. Since Gen Beta children will be born into a world where AI and the digital realm are normal, rejecting technology won’t help parents understand their children better. Learning alongside their children will create understanding and strengthen their relationship. Parents must grow with their children, not just teach, but also be open to new perspectives, willing to experiment with adaptation, adjust their mindset, and accept that parenting has no fixed formula — it’s a continuous shared learning journey in an ever-changing world.
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How to raise Gen Beta children
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| 1. Spend quality time with your child in the real world. |
Don’t let technology be the child’s caregiver; build relationships through everyday activities. |
2. Establish discipline in technology use.
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Set screen time rules and teach about online safety. |
3. Encourage your child to learn through active learning.
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Encourage questioning, researching, and critical thinking. |
4. Develop social skills.
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Help your child gain off-screen experiences, such as playing sports and working in teams. |
5. Instill empathy.
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Teach your child to understand diversity and accept differences. |
6. Let your child experience trial and error.
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Don’t overprotect; let your child learn from failure. |
7.Prepare your child to face the future.
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Teach your child essential skills for a rapidly changing world, such as lifelong learning. |
Actually, the key to raising Gen Beta children remains the same: spending quality time and building strong bonds, especially during the first three years, which lay the foundation for their development. What’s new in this era is that parents need to adapt and keep up with technology because Gen Beta kids will grow up fully immersed in a digital world. If parents don’t understand technology, they may struggle to keep up with their children and protect them effectively.
However advanced technology becomes, the best protection for children of every generation is the strong connection between parents and children. Love, understanding, and bonding from early childhood serve as a shield, helping them grow securely in an ever-changing world.
Originally published on theAsianparent Thailand
