The Gen Alpha Basics
The Gen Alpha Basics
Embedded Files
Major life/world events of Gen Alpha
COVID-19
Political shifts of 2016*
First generation fully born ...
into a world of smartphones
in the 21st century
in a culture where AI is normal
*Especially students in the U.S.; BIPOC students likely affected as well by changes in immigration.
When they were born:
Birthdays 2010 – 2024
Ages (in 2025):
Infant – 15
Grades in school (in 2025):
Grade 10 and below
5 Characteristics of
5 Characteristics of
Gen Alpha
Gen Alpha
Google "Generation Alpha" and you'll find a ton of articles, opinion pieces, blog posts, etc., about this emerging generation. We've curated resources that we believe will be most helpful to you as you seek to engage this generation with God's love and good plan for them.
Below are five characteristics that we believe help us see the amazing potential of this generation to be involved in Jesus' most excellent mission. We've also included some possible implications for ministry (from our perspective) as well as questions to help you process what you learn about Gen Alpha, both with them and for yourself.
1) Spiritually curious
1) Spiritually curious
Very few studies and articles speak to the faith beliefs of Generation Alpha. However, the ones that do shine a spotlight on their spiritual curiosity and how they view the importance of their faith.
One such study from 2024 shows that Gen Alpha sees their religion, faith beliefs or spirituality as a key part of their identity (78% overall). However, even Christians (20%) in this generation say they have engaged in alternative spiritual activities like crystals, manifesting, etc. (See OneHope 2024 Gen Alpha Study)
Implication for ministry:
The spiritual curiosity of this generation offers us an opportunity to step in and ask questions — to help them discover Jesus and his amazing offer of peace and hope in this world.
Questions to ask your students:
When did your curiosity about spiritual things begin?
Where do you go to find answers to spiritual questions?
Question to ask yourself:
Where are you seeing Gen Alpha's spiritual curiosity show up, and how is your ministry meeting them there?
Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash
2) Entrepreneurial
2) Entrepreneurial
"How come I'm not on YouTube when all the other kids are?", three-year old Ryan asked his mother. From then on, his YouTube channel, “Ryan’s World," has grown to attract more and more followers (more than 40.2 million as of January 2025), especially from Generation Alpha.
Gen Alpha is drawn toward video games like Minecraft and Roblox, games about building & creating (buildings, character, mini-games).
76% want to “be their own boss or have a side-hustle”, only 13% want to “work for others”
78% have earned money in the past year with 43% using technology to help them do so.
McCrindle, M., Fell, A., & Buckerfield, S. (2021). Generation Alpha: Understanding our children and helping them thrive. Hachette Australia
Implication for ministry:
The entrepreneurial spirit of this generation offers us an opportunity to give them agency. They are willing and able to lead especially when ministry is aligned with their personal values.
Questions to ask your students:
If you could change one thing about how we do ministry, what would you do?
How can I support you in your dreams for the ministry?
Questions to ask yourself:
What can I/we pass on to them to lead within our movement?
How can I/we involve them in decisions that affect them and their world?
3) Owning their own mental health
3) Owning their own mental health
Gen Alpha recognizes the impact of COVID19 and the overuse of technology on their mental health. They are taking stock and making changes, self-facilitating breaks to engage with others, take a walk outside, or play a board game.
"There’s been a 16% increase in kids adding physical toys to their wish lists since 2023."
“Just like the 15% of [U.S.] adults who avoided political content last year to protect their mental health, Gen Alpha are learning to manage their emotional bandwidth early. When the world feels overwhelming, they’re choosing to focus on content that feels lighter, more empowering, or more within their control.” Both from (7 Gen Alpha characteristics to know for 2025 from GWI)
Implications for ministry:
The mental health awareness of this generation offers us an opportunity for IRL (in real life) connections. Provide opportunities to set aside their phones and connect face-to-face. Less dependence on devices may look like printing out notes or providing extra physical Bibles to share.
Questions to ask your students:
What helps you stay in the right mindset?
What’s important to you about your own mental health?
Questions to ask yourself:
Where is my ministry too dependent on technology?
How am I owning my mental health so I have more capacity for in-person connections?
4) Genuine yet image-conscious
4) Genuine yet image-conscious
Gen Alpha is a mix of longing for authentic, genuine connections with others and striving for a positive reputation — to be thought well of by others.
"They want the real deal — brands that walk the talk, own their values, and don’t shy away from tough conversations. Authenticity isn’t a bonus — it’s the baseline — and as a result, ads that feel too scripted or salesy will often fall flat. [Gen Z and Gen Alpha] prefer genuine connections and meaningful narratives." (GWI Gen Z vs. Gen Alpha)
"Only 1 in 10 say they post everything they do, and just 2 in 5 feel they can express what they really think online. This isn’t disengagement - it’s healthy caution...Their feeds are less about broadcasting and more about building a digital moodboard - one that reflects their identity without overexposing it." (GWI Gen Alpha Characteristics)
Implications for ministry:
The authenticity and image-consciousness of this generation offers us an opportunity to reinforce their value as an image-bearer of Creator God. This generation thrives when even one trusted adult is present in their lives (Barna). Show them how authenticity and vulnerability go hand in hand and provide the best reputation.
Questions to ask your students:
What is true of you as an image-bearer of God?
Where do you see tension between being genuine and maintaining a positive image?
Questions to ask yourself:
Am I willing to be vulnerable about my own struggles?
How can I grow my students' understanding of God's view of them?
5) Resilient
5) Resilient
In addition to owning their mental health, Generation Alpha is proving to be more resilient in overcoming obstacles than their older siblings.
“When faced with a challenge, educators believe Generation Alpha are significantly more likely to persist than to give up, when compared to Gen Z. Educators think Generation Alpha are more likely to ask for help while Gen Z are more likely to struggle in silence." McCrindle, M., Fell, A., & Buckerfield, S. (2021). Generation Alpha: Understanding our children and helping them thrive. Hachette Australia
"Most 13-year-olds say that they will do something that makes them feel nervous or scared if it is for a good opportunity, rather than miss out." (Thirteen A First Look at Gen Alpha, Springtide)
Implications for ministry:
The resilience of this generation offers us an opportunity to challenge them to try new things and to take risks, especially in their faith. We can foster a growth mindset where students “believe their abilities can be improved through hard work, which leads to growth, success, a love of learning and greater resilience.”
Questions to ask your students:
What are you learning?
What, if anything, feels scary about telling people about Jesus?
Questions to ask yourself:
How am I celebrating the small mistakes my students make as opportunities to learn?
Photo by Jonathan Chng on Unsplash
Dig Deeper
Dig Deeper
If you want to learn more about Gen Alpha, check out these other great reports and lists.
OneHope 2024 Gen Alpha Study
Springtide 2024 study
A list of resources on Gen Alpha
McCrinde's Comprehensive List
Helpful infographics about Gen Alpha
Helpful infographics about Gen Alpha
Gen Z/Gen Alpha comparison
Gen Alpha at a glance 2023
Inside the mind of Gen Alpha
As with all research studies, the resources on this site make generalizations based on the majority of responses. While not every Gen Alpha will fit the characteristics listed, these resources show the distinctives of Gen Alpha as a whole.
Curated by Campus Innovation 2025
innovation@cru.org
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