As the calendar turns to January 1, 2025, a new generational cohort is set to make its debut: Generation Beta. Expected to stretch from 2025 to approximately 2039, Gen Beta will follow Gen Alpha (2010–2024), Gen Z (1996–2010), and millennials (1981–1996). While the exact dates for generational divisions can be debated, Gen Beta marks a fresh start for sociologists, demographers, and futurists as they look to define the experiences, challenges, and traits of this emerging group.
© Getty ImagesWho Are Generation Beta?
Generation Beta will primarily be the children of millennials and older members of Gen Z. As a group born into a post-pandemic world, they will be shaped by experiences different from their predecessors. Unlike Gen Alpha, who were directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic during their early years, Generation Beta will grow up viewing it as a historical event rather than a contemporary reality.
Many Gen Beta children will live to see the 22nd century, and rapid technological advances will heavily influence their formative years. According to generational researcher Jason Dorsey, Gen Beta will likely rely even more on artificial intelligence (AI) and smart devices to navigate everyday challenges, further deepening humanity's integration with technology.
A World of Challenges and Opportunities
According to NBC News, Demographer Mark McCrindle highlights the societal challenges that Gen Beta will inherit. Climate change, global population shifts, and rapid urbanization will frame their worldview. Sustainability will not merely be an ideal; it will become an expectation.
© Getty ImagesTechnology will play a central role in shaping their lives, but their relationship with it may evolve beyond the trends seen in previous generations. Gen Z parents, as some of the most tech-savvy individuals to date, are already aware of both the benefits and downsides of early exposure to digital tools. As a result, many are pushing back against unregulated screen time for their children, opting for a more balanced approach.
Technology and the Gen Beta Experience
While Gen Alpha has been labeled the "iPad kids" generation, known for their love of social media trends and viral content, Gen Beta is poised to take this immersion in technology a step further. AI will likely become ubiquitous in their lives, from education to entertainment to problem-solving.
© ¡HOLA!Dorsey predicts that by the time Gen Beta reaches voting age, Gen Z leaders will hold elected office, and climate change will remain a defining issue. With advanced tools at their fingertips, Gen Beta will likely seek innovative solutions to global problems, leveraging the AI-driven infrastructure they grow up with.
Defining Generational Labels
Generational labels like "Generation Beta" serve as a framework for understanding broad societal trends and shared experiences. These labels offer insights into how individuals are shaped by historical moments and cultural phenomena. For millennials, the defining event was 9/11; for Gen Z, it was the COVID-19 pandemic. For Gen Alpha and Gen Beta, these moments remain to be seen.
© Getty ImagesDorsey notes that while generational labels help identify overarching trends, they should not overshadow individual differences. "Generational labels are helpful as long as you understand their limitations," he says.
Looking Ahead
As Generation Beta begins to arrive, it represents a continuation of humanity's story and a reflection of how society is evolving. From tackling climate change to redefining the role of technology, its journey will undoubtedly offer valuable lessons about resilience, adaptation, and innovation.
Understanding this generation will take time, but as McCrindle suggests, sustainability, inclusivity, and ingenuity will likely be defining pillars of their collective identity. Whether we view generational labels as helpful guideposts or generalizations, they provide a fascinating lens to explore the intersection of societal change and human development.
