Kids these days, right? Each new generation is presented with challenges. Generation Alpha is facing some big ones, and dads need to understand them all. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about how we can support our kids and grandkids through all their battles.

Why This Matters
The better we understand this generation, the better we can love them.

Who Is Generation Alpha?
–These kids were born between 2010 and 2024
–They are largely the children of millennials
–They are the most diverse generation in U.S. history
–One of the biggest differences between Gen Z and Gen Alpha is the emergence of AI as an everyday factor of life
–58% of Generation Alpha gets a smartphone before age 10

Issues Gen Alpha is Facing

1. 1. Lack of Coping Skills

They know more ABOUT mental health than any other generation and they easily diagnose themselves and others, however they have little to no skills in how to cope with anxiety, depression, overcoming obstacles and setbacks, and their general unease.

2. 2. Rise of Subjective Truth

Generation Alpha seems to have fully embraced the philosophy that truth is subjective to their experience. You may hear them say phrases like “my truth.”

3. 3. An Increasingly Complex World

They have more information about diverse cultures, beliefs, and sexuality. This is conducive to pursuing understanding and empathy but also leaves them vulnerable to process overload and fear of saying “the wrong thing.”

4. 4. Isolation

Technology and COVID have lessened their face-to-face interactions, making kids feel more isolated.

5. 5. Negative Effects of Screens

Based on 2023 stats from the American Pediatric Association, 87% of Gen Alpha children exceed daily screen time recommendations. Most American children spend about three hours a day watching television.

Action Steps for Dads

1. 1. Give more freedom where appropriate.
2. 2. Teach your kids that we cannot trust our own hearts.
   3. Take inventory of what information they ingest.
3. 4. Encourage face to face interaction.
   5. Set boundaries around screen time.

Important Episode Timestamps

• 00:00 – 01:18 | Meet Gen Alpha
  The hosts define Generation Alpha, their birth years, and their unique connection to technology.
• 01:18 – 02:25 | Gen Alpha is being shaped by AI in the way Gen Z was shaped by smartphones.
• 02:25 – 07:24 | Big Question of the Day
  What challenges does Gen Alpha face, and how can dads help?
• 07:24 – 09:04 | Teaching Truth in a Confusing World
  A story about explaining “green grass” to a child highlights the difficulty of navigating subjective truth.
• 12:14 – 13:43 | The Dating Homework Assignment
  A Boston College professor’s creative challenge shows how young people struggle with real-world connection.
• 14:31 – 16:36 | Growing Up on Screens
  The dads unpack screen time statistics and the reality that Gen Alpha has never known life without devices.
• 17:40 – 19:25 | The Pocket Knife Lesson
  A dad shares how giving his son freedom to fail and learn built resilience and pride.
• 21:37 – 22:10 | “Follow Your Heart” Isn’t Enough
  The hosts challenge the idea of living by personal truth and why boundaries matter.
• 23:12 – 25:40 | Setting Boundaries Around Screens
  Practical encouragement for dads to set firm, healthy limits on kids’ digital habits.
• 26:00 – End | Pro Move: Pick one person in your kids’ life and set up an in-person hang out with them.
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Sponsor:
The All Pro Dad Podcast is proudly brought to you by Family First, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping parents with resources to strengthen their families. Learn more at FamilyFirst.net.