Many researchers and marketing specialists divide society into different age groups to better understand behaviors. Today, we have a new group — Alpha. But what generation comes after Gen Alpha?
Although this name is already widely used, remember that these labels are not official categories with fixed rules. The exact years that define each group can still change as more information becomes available.
Children born between 2010 and the mid-2020s are known as Alphas. To learn more about this group’s characteristics and timeline, read our guide on Generation Alpha.
What comes after Generation Alpha?
The next wave of kids belongs to Gen Beta, specifically those born between 2025 and 2039. They’ll likely be exposed to even more innovations as they grow up, such as AI.
Why is the Next Generation called Beta?
Many people wonder why the name “Beta” was chosen. The answer comes from the naming system that follows the Greek alphabet.
After Gen X, researchers used the terms Gen Y (Millennials) and Gen Z. They named the next cohort Alpha because it represented the beginning of a new cycle. After Alpha comes Beta, followed by Gamma and Delta.
Main differences
Alpha kids are often described as the first fully digital-native cohort. Alpha kids are often described as the first fully digital-native cohort. They use all types of devices, voice, AI assistants, and online gaming platforms. They also grow up along with the popularisation of AI in schools and homes. The risk is that kids may not develop and maintain soft skills such as emotional control, imagination, critical judgment, and teamwork, which can’t be taught online.
The education needs of future students are about to change too. Schools also have to prepare children for new emerging professions. But the foundation of education is likely to remain the same, because preschool programs and kindergarten stages can still be important for keeping this “human” touch for kids who spend their free time using gadgets. High-quality preschool education in Russia can help children develop not only reading and writing skills but also independence, confidence, and creativity. Children still need teachers who inspire them, encourage curiosity, and help them understand the world around them.
However, the new group will inherit the problems of the previous one — for example, climate change, shifts in the global economy, social challenges, etc.
Will Beta be more connected or isolated?H
Another interesting question is how future advancements will affect human relationships.
On one hand, Gen Beta will have more chances to chat with people around the world. AI translation apps are a good example. A child or teen from one country can chat with someone from another country without knowing a foreign language. It can create new opportunities for international friendships and open classrooms for people from different cultures.
On the other hand, children are bound to experience new challenges with the rise of technologies, including:
- Big screen time,
- Information overload,
- Privacy risks,
- Less face-to-face communication.
This balance is likely to become a key topic for families and educators. Technology itself isn’t inherently positive or negative; its impact depends on how people choose to use it.
What’s the next generation after Alpha in the workplace?
Many people are also interested in the future of work. We won’t see Beta entering the workforce for the next 5-10 years, but we can imagine what the future workplace could look like.
- Offices will look different. Automation and AI can already do most of the repetitive tasks; human workers will focus on decision-making and leadership.
- Beta will be the first in careers that don’t exist now. For example, jobs connected to social media, software development, AI, and VR were either uncommon or didn’t exist 10-15 years ago.
In short, sociologists study trends to make predictions, identify broader social changes, and anticipate future trends that can influence different spheres. For example, if artificial intelligence becomes a bigger part of everyday life, schools may need to teach children not only how to use new technologies but also how to think creatively and make independent decisions.
Schools also make their own predictions. Their goal is to create a comfortable space that meets children’s needs. This could mean using personalized learning tools, offering more creative projects, or helping students develop social and emotional skills.
The most successful education systems of the future will likely combine innovation with timeless principles: curiosity, kindness, responsibility, and a love of learning.
For parents, it means understanding that children won’t live in the same world adults grew up in. They don’t need to prepare kids for today’s jobs. Instead, they help develop skills that will be valuable in the future.
Common questions about Gen Beta
What’s after the Alpha?
Beta, a name that originates from the Greek alphabet naming system.
What generation comes after Alpha?
Beta will be a successor of Alpha. Researchers usually describe it as the cohort of children spanning from 2025 to the late 2030s. Since they are still very young, experts are only beginning to understand what experiences and trends will shape their lives, such as technology.
However, now it is impossible to predict exactly how the kids of the future will think, work, or communicate. Current trends show that skills like adaptability, creativity, and emotional intelligence will become even more important.
The future does not depend on technology alone. It is also shaped by how people use new tools, how schools prepare children, and which values society chooses to support.
Every generation brings new ideas, ways of seeing the world. They are likely to continue shaping society and find solutions to challenges their parents and grandparents could not solve.