What we know about the Beta generation as first baby born
A new year has arrived and, with it, a brand new generation. A baby girl who was born at 12.05am on Wednesday 1 January in Australia is thought to be the first of the new Beta generation.
Remi was born to Tze-Ling Huang and Liam Walsh in Comboyne, New South Wales, two weeks earlier than expected. She marks the beginning of the Beta generation, who will be born between 2025 and 2039.
While it may seem like children being born today should still be part of generation Alpha, this particular demographic is made up of people born between 2010 and 2024. They were the first generation to be born entirely in the 21st century and the third millennium.
Here’s everything we know about generation Beta:
Who are the parents of generation Beta?
According to market research firm McCrindle Research, children born in this new generation will be the offspring of younger Millennials and older Gen Zs.
They are arriving in an era where their parents are more knowledgeable about the benefits and drawbacks of social media use from a young age, which could mean they will grow up with a more balanced relationship to social media compared to Gen Alpha.
McCrindle Research explained that Gen Z parents (36%) are more likely to strongly agree that limiting their child’s screen time is a high priority compared to older Millennial parents (30%).
"As the most technologically savvy generation of parents, Gen Z see the benefits of technology and screen time, but equally they see the downsides of it and are pushing back on technology and the age at which their children access and engage with it," the firm said.
How will Generation Beta grow up?
By 2035, it is expected that this new generation will make up 16% of the global population, with many expected to live to see the 22nd century.
According to McCrindle Research, generation Beta will experience a world in which the digital sphere blends seamlessly with the physical realm. They will live in an era where artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are "fully embedded in everyday life".
Generation Beta will also likely be the first generation to "experience autonomous transportation at scale, wearable health technologies and immersive virtual environments as standard aspects of daily life".
The firm predicted that the formative years of this new generation will be focused around personalisation through AI algorithms, which are continuing to shape the way we learn, shop and interact with others.
What kind of world will Generation Beta inherit?
Recent years have led to "major societal challenges", which generation Beta will likely have to face and grapple with as they grow up. McCrindle research pinpointed climate change, global population shifts, and rapid urbanisation as the major issues they will inherit, all of which mean that “sustainability will not just be a preference but an expectation”.
The parents of this generation tend to prioritise adaptability, equality, and eco-conscious habits, which will result in their children "being more globally minded, community-focused and collaborative than ever before", McCrindle Research said.
The way generation Beta connects with one another as well as other generations will also look different. In a world where digital interaction is "the default", they will have to "foster a strong sense of individuality" both online and offline.
Read more about parenting:
Seven signs your child might be struggling with their mental health (Yahoo Life UK, 7-min read)
5 modern parenting trends we're more than ready to ditch in 2025 (CBC, 7-min read)
Voices: ‘Gentle parenting’ is no way to bring up children – and I should know (The Independent, 5-min read)
