Generation Alpha (born from 2010 onward) is receiving growing attention from experts, as they represent the future and carry the keys to change. Understanding their behavior and its impact on social life has become essential.
Although they are the youngest generation, they strive to balance digital life with real-life experiences. To better understand this equation, the magazine “Sayidaty” interviewed psychological and behavioral therapist Alaa Al Shaabi, who is certified by the Australian Psychological Society.
She explains that the key question is not whether Generation Alpha is balancing both worlds, but rather: do they even know a life without digital technology? This is the first generation born entirely into a digital environment, without smartphones or the internet ever being absent.
Risks of the Digital World for Generation Alpha
The expert highlights several risks caused by the constant overlap between digital and real life, which makes balance essential.
Psychological Disorientation
This generation does not live in two separate worlds, but in a continuous overlap between the digital and physical world. According to Al Shaabi, this creates risks of confusion, distraction, and psychological instability.
Reports from organizations such as UNICEF and OECD show that Generation Alpha benefits from digital environments through:
Faster learning
Development of technical skills
Easy access to information
However, they also face increasing risks such as:
Poor concentration
Sleep disorders
Social isolation
Reduced physical activity
Digital addiction
The most dangerous of these is digital addiction, which can significantly disrupt a teenager’s life.
Digital Addiction and Brain Development
According to an OECD report (2025), 98% of 15-year-olds own internet-connected smartphones. More than half spend over 30 hours per week on digital devices, and a large portion spends more than two hours daily on entertainment screens alone. About 95% use social media weekly.
The problem is not only screen time, but also the type of content and its impact on the developing brain—especially the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for focus, emotional regulation, planning, and delayed gratification.
Continuous exposure to fast stimuli (short videos, notifications, rapid app switching) trains the brain to expect instant rewards, reducing deep attention and long-term focus in real-life tasks such as studying.
Cognitive Duality and Identity Confusion
Al Shaabi also explains a psychological phenomenon known as “cognitive duality.” In real life, relationships require patience, emotional expression, and tolerance for rejection. In contrast, the digital world allows editing one’s image, deleting mistakes, and controlling appearance.
This makes real life feel slower and less stimulating compared to digital experiences.
Identity Fragmentation
Recent studies suggest that Generation Alpha’s identity is partly shaped online, affecting self-esteem, emotional intelligence, and social relationships.
Common observed issues include:
Reduced attention span
High sensitivity to criticism
Difficulty managing emotions without screens
Weaker face-to-face communication
Dependence on instant gratification
Neurologically, this is linked to dopamine, the brain’s reward chemical. Digital platforms use variable reward systems (likes, notifications, videos), which encourage repeated checking—similar to behavioral addiction patterns.
Global vs. Arab Context
In Australia, digital safety authorities report that teenagers spend around 14.4 hours per week online. Concerns about emotional dependency on social media have led to strict laws restricting accounts for users under 16, with heavy penalties for companies that fail to comply.
In the Arab world, digital infrastructure is rapidly growing, but many families and schools are still balancing traditional upbringing with modern digital life. UNICEF reports show increased connectivity among Arab children, but psychological studies remain limited.
Parents often worry about identity loss, weakened family bonds, and exposure to global content, while teachers report declining patience and reduced deep learning.
The Real Challenge
Despite concerns, technology has not “damaged” Generation Alpha entirely. Global reports emphasize that impact depends on usage, parental guidance, and balance.
Children with strong family support, real social interaction, and clear screen-time boundaries tend to benefit from technology without falling into isolation or distraction.
The real challenge, according to Alaa Al Shaabi, is not banning technology—but teaching Generation Alpha how to live within it without losing focus, emotional stability, and real-world connection.
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