Advertisers like YouTube and Netflix are already turning their attention to Gen A marketing videos following the recent viral Gen Z trend.
From videos promoting museums to zoos, companies have turned to using Gen Z lingo as a way to expand their reach on social media.
Firearms expert Mark Murray-Flutter, 65, became a social media star for his clumsy expression of terms such as “rizzler”, “main character energy” and “Pop off, queen” while showing off the Royal Armouries in Leeds.
But now it seems that those born since 2011, considered Generation Alpha, are in the crosshairs of the next social media trend.
For anyone born between 1946 and 1964, they are considered baby boomers, if you were born between 1965 and 1979 you are considered Generation X, from 1980 to 1994 you are a millennial and Generation Z is anyone born between 1995 and 2010.
The Alpha generation, considered to be those born between 2011 and 2025, is already in the sights of brands
Recent studies have suggested that Generation A children are becoming more lonely and isolated.
The Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds has gone viral with a TikTok video using Gen Z slang, hosted by firearms expert Ark Murray-Flutter, a 65-year-old boomer.
The 57-second TikTok clip offers a tour of the UK’s National Museum of Arms and Armour.
Mark throws around terms like ‘rizzler’, ‘main character energy’ and ‘Pop off, queen’.
Mark McCrindle, an Australian social research expert, revealed how Generation A has “brand influence and purchasing power beyond their age.”
He said The times‘(Generation A is) the most materially endowed generation in history, the most technologically savvy generation in history, and will enjoy a longer life span than any previous generation.’
At a time when more children than ever own mobile phones, this certainly demonstrates their influence.
According to a survey, YouTube also recently surpassed Netflix in terms of popularity among Generation A.
Jemima Cox, social science director at analytics agency Canvas8, previously told Metro: “Gen Z is often referred to as digital natives, but for Gen A, technology is completely second nature.”
‘The pandemic has made Gen Z’s transition into adolescence and adulthood more difficult, while for Gen A, the impact is still ongoing as they learn about the world.
Many members of Generation Alpha will be familiar with Zoom lessons, and will be even more familiar with the virtual world than Generation Z.
However, one thing both generations have in common (at least for now) is their preferred social media platform: TikTok.
And, like Gen Zers and Millennials, Gen Alpha is predicted to delay standard life milestones like marriage and having children compared to previous generations.
The trend of adopting Gen Z slang originated from a video promoting Fyfield Manor in Oxfordshire, featuring B&B owner Christine Brown (pictured).
Reading a script written by her 26-year-old daughter, Christine later said she simply “did what she was told” and was “shocked” by the results.
Earlier this week, Michigan researchers revealed the epidemic of loneliness affecting American youth: Nearly one-fifth of parents say their children have no friends or not enough.
Experts at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital say parents are afraid their Generation Alpha kids won’t build relationships at school, blaming everything from shyness to social media.
They also warned that America’s culture wars are making it harder for children to make friends, and that political and religious divisions act as a barrier between families.
Hospital researcher Sarah Clark says many children miss out on friendships that would otherwise enhance their “health and development, emotional well-being, self-esteem and social skills”.
They can end up feeling “isolated and alone, which affects their quality of life and mental health,” she adds.