Gen Alpha is on track to become the largest generation. Banks must start building relationships with children today to convert them into customers as they grow up.

Over half (51%) of US children recall seeing commercials on YouTube recently, the top platform for recognition across multiple digital channels, according to an October 2023 survey from Precise TV.

Even the oldest members of Gen Alpha (born between the early 2010s and 2024) are younger than the iPad. For this digitally native generation, YouTube is the place to be, but other media channels like streaming platforms and even podcasts are popular. With the future of Gen Alpha’s social media use uncertain as states like Florida bar children under 14, marketers should know where the demographic is consuming content.

South By Southwest was last week, and AI and VR were all the buzz. Gen Alpha is growing up with these technologies, which means the next generation of consumers will not just be used to AI and VR—they’ll expect to see it. Here are three takeaways from our analyst regarding tech trends at the event.

Social media is an integral part of the digital lives of US consumers under age 18. What they see and how they behave on social also has real-world impact, which has resulted in increasing scrutiny from consumers and lawmakers.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss a new lawsuit against Meta for designing its products to be addictive to kids, new paid ad-free versions of Facebook and Instagram, and where Threads engagement is at. "In Other News," we talk about whether we will ever come together again on social media and if AI can help us get there. Tune in to the discussion with our analyst Jasmine Enberg and director of Briefings Jeremy Goldman.

Though it may be tempting to lump Gen Alpha (consumers born after 2013) and Gen Z together, there are several differences between the two that marketers need to understand to effectively target the growing generation. As the second generation of digital natives, Gen Alpha will expect seamless digital experiences and mobile-first approaches. They also have more purchasing power than one might expect, with brand affinity starting around age 7, according to Morning Consult.

Children and mothers are more connected to the internet than ever. And thanks to remote work, education, and entertainment, their reliance on connectivity continues to grow. Here’s what marketers need to know.

Millennials are parenting. Gen Z is entering the workforce. And the never-ending wheel of time has spun a new generation for marketers to watch: Generation Alpha. The oldest members of this digitally native, pandemic-influenced generation are tweens now, and marketers need to pay attention to how today’s children differ from their Gen Z older siblings.

Children will make up 13% of the US population this year, making the future Gen Alpha about 46 million strong so far, per the US Census Bureau. Within that group, 26% will be Hispanic, compared with 19% for the general population. Some 7% will be two or more races, versus 3% for the overall population.

Gen Z is getting older and steadily moving toward becoming the most digitally connected generation. In 2024, US Gen Zers will surpass millennials in regular internet use, and they'll do the same with smartphone penetration in 2026.

Everyone’s concerned about children’s privacy and safety on social media: As more consumers demand that social platforms be scrutinized, a case against TikTok’s handling of children's private data proceeds.

How much time do kids spend with screens?

US children are getting their dose of advertising from YouTube. In April 2021, 70% of those ages 2 to 12 said they had recently seen ads on YouTube, far more than the 36% who reported the same of TV.

On today's episode, we discuss whether a federal privacy law is still expected this year, some case studies of how companies are building trust in emerging technologies through privacy, and some best practices on how to differentiate on privacy. We then talk about major retailers' Q1 earnings, why Google is opening a brick-and-mortar store, and whether kids being able to shop online by themselves will catch on. Tune in to the discussion with Insider Intelligence senior analyst Sara M. Watson and analyst Daniel Keyes.

Mobile games to stop targeting ads to kids: Some major developers and ad tech companies will need to stop tracking children under 13 after settling a lawsuit, limiting their targeting abilities.

The pandemic has been able to make common what would previously have stood out as extreme amounts of screen time.

Young consumers have led the way in terms of digital habits and consumption through the pandemic, but older age groups have been forced to catch up. Some old habits may die hard in these groups, but the digital future has definitely been hastened.

Amid all the handwringing about screen time—plus the demise of Toys "R" Us—one could easily imagine that kids have lost interest in toys. But they haven’t.