Understanding the Generation of a 12 to 13-Year-Old: Generation Alpha and Z

Children aged 12 to 13 in 2024 are typically part of Generation Alpha, comprising individuals born from around 2010 to the mid-2020s. However, they might still be referred to as on the cusp of Generation Z, which includes those born from the mid-1990s to around 2010.

When Does Generation Z Start? Clarifying the Age Range

Generation Z began in 1996. Therefore, the oldest members of Generation Z are currently 22 to 23 years old, making them the adult members of this generation. Startlingly, though, it does not mean that this classification strictly applies to the oldest members of Generation Z. It simply denotes their generational age range.

Defining Generations in a Family Context

In a broader sense, if you are discussing the generational classification of a family, the parents would be the first generation, and their children would be the second generation, their children the third, and so on. Alternatively, you can start from the living members in the family. For example, when the author was married, the great grandmother was still alive, so she was classified as the first generation.

Technology and the "Tech Generation"

Those born between 1996 and the mid-2020s, including 12 to 13-year-olds, are often referred to as the "Tech Generation" due to their birth during a period marked by the evolution of technology, especially the widespread use of portable touch-screen devices such as smartphones. They have been exposed to advanced technology their entire lives, from early childhood through adolescence.

The Fad of Naming Generations

The concept of labeling generations, particularly the "Gen Z" title, is often questioned for its rationale. Naming generations for no specific reason or attaching alphabetical letters to these classifications can be seen as a form of generational labeling, akin to marketing and cultural trends. Some argue that such classifications are overly simplistic and do not truly reflect the social or demographic realities of society. Instead, generations only exist in the context of family lines or specific product lifecycles.

Events such as the "baby boom," can be referred to as a generation, but labeling entire alphabets to generations is just a fad. It is important to understand that people are born every day without exception, so there is no definitive starting or ending point for a generation. Families and products, however, do have distinct life spans, which can be more accurately categorized as generations.

Children born after 1996 are more commonly known as “Gen Z,” “iGen,” or “Centennials.” The term "iGen" highlights their heavy reliance on digital devices and the internet, while "Centennials" refers to the year 2000, which is the first year of their birth decade.