While I am not a parent, I am a mentor figure who is deeply concerned for the Generation Alpha family and friends in my midst.

As someone who walks alongside a number of Gen Alpha family members aged eight through 14, I am both privileged and challenged to learn what it means to guide a generation shaped by screens, speed and shifting truth.

Recently, I joined around 100 parents, Pastors and members of the public to attend a seminar by Focus on the Family Singapore that was held at Singapore Bible College (SBC) on July 25.

Titled Raising Generation Alpha in a Hypersexualised World, the event got me thinking about my special role as a mentor figure.

It also left me asking a sobering question: How do we share about God’s design with a generation that is constantly online and searching for what is real?

SBC Principal, Dr Clement Chia, pointed out that the proliferation of sexual content online will have an impact on how Gen Alpha sees themselves. All event photos courtesy of Focus on the Family Singapore.

When I first heard of Gen Alpha slang such as “skibidi toilet”, “no cap” and “sigma”, it hit me: Even though I’m also a digital native (Gen Z), they are growing up in an entirely different world from the one I knew.

Born between 2010 and 2024, Gen Alpha is the generation of children and teens that is born into tech. Right from the very start of their cohort, the iPad and Instagram were launched. 

According to research, they are the most materially endowed and technologically savvy generation. 

“Technology, AI and social media are almost an extension of themselves,” observed Alicia Boo, Focus on the Family Singapore’s Chief of Impact.

A parent to Gen Alpha children, she also highlighted the alarming effects of screen time on a child’s brain including “brain rot”.

“Brain rot” describes a brain that never gets a break from inordinate digital usage, explained Alicia. This results in poorer cognitive abilities, such as the ability to focus and not get distracted.

For example, a study in Korea showed that a smartphone-addicted brain has to work extra hard to complete a simple task compared to a non-addicted brain.

Why God’s truth matters more than ever

But the world Gen Alpha is growing up in is not just digital — it is also hypersexualised.

At the seminar’s opening address, Dr Clement Chia, Principal of SBC, cautioned that when digital platforms openly display sexualised content, it influences “how our young people see themselves and their peers”.

This ends up “distorting their God-given purpose and identity”. 

Other speakers such as Focus on the Family Singapore’s Principal Trainer, Joshua Liong, also referenced the iceberg model.

What we see on the surface – such as Gen Alpha’s mental health struggles with anxiety, shame and identity confusion – is just the tip.

Beneath the surface lie patterns, cultures and mindsets that run much deeper. For instance, early exposure to sexual content, widespread reliance on technology and a culture where truth feels optional. 

Making sense of Gen Alpha phenomena with the iceberg model.

Some messages may seem harmless, but many are confusing and can be harmful. 

As highlighted by Alicia, children aged 10 and below are now shopping for adult makeup and posting “Get Ready With Me” videos online.

There is even a phenomenon called the “Sephora tween”. 

Alicia also spoke about the rise of the “anxious generation”, a term that has been popularised by researcher Jonathan Haidt’s bestseller. 

Today, social media often shapes identity around appearance and affirmation, blurs childhood boundaries and contributes to emotional instability.

“Children are being swept up in such waves of cultural messaging,” she continued. 

Screenshot of an article that discusses the “Sephora tweens”, which was mentioned during the seminar.

Advocating for screen time limits, Joshua affirmed the importance of helping the next generation to build a strong, healthy worldview.

Gen Alpha needs more than Internet filters – they need clarity and grounding. 

Who will speak truth into their lives?

“If you are a parent of a Gen Alpha, caregiver, educator or someone influential in a Gen Alpha’s life, you have a very special role and a privilege to play. You have the opportunity to influence them,” said Alicia.

Your role is key because truth is best spoken through a strong relationship — not by preaching, but by first being present.

When you do so, you earn a right to influence values and model God’s truth.

Winsomely winning Gen Alpha

I realise that this is also true in my own life.

I still remember how a simple conversation with a mentor about dating opened my eyes to how much my priorities had misaligned with God’s design.

Such chats have helped me re-align my views towards relationships and drawn me closer to Him.

You may be thinking: “But how? No one taught me either.” It is never too late to start.

Learn their world, then engage with wisdom and courage, encouraged the trainers.

“The first step is not to influence — it’s to understand and to engage. You want to enter their world,” clarified Alicia.

Elaborating further, Joshua introduced a 3I approach (staying informed, involved and intentional) that draws from Focus on the Family Singapore’s Raising Screenwise Kids programme.

For parents or mentors, this means understanding the screen-saturated world of Gen Alpha, guiding actively with clarity and care, and being intentional in role-modelling.

Focus on the Family Singapore’s trainers Joshua Liong and Alicia Boo gave tools on how to help Gen Alpha navigate what they are exposed to every day.

Alicia also shared a 3A framework that can create a conducive atmosphere to talk about sexuality. 

Age-appropriate
Start early and match conversations to the child’s ability to understand.

For instance, teach body safety and accurate terms to young children (ages 0-6), then gradually introduce topics such as boundaries and relationships as they grow. There are already resources out there (Talk About Sex) that are readily available. 

Approach naturally
Keep it light and conversational. Instead of one big talk, look for every day moments such as mealtimes to build ongoing, open conversations.

“I seek to engage my (Gen Alpha) children about their world almost daily,” said Alicia, who is a mother of four. 

Affirming attitude
Explain that sex, marriage and purity are good gifts from God.

For example, affirming the goodness of sex helps explain why God designed it to be protected by the security of a lifelong relationship. Physical intimacy is sacred and best enjoyed within marriage. 

A call to mentors

Gen Alpha needs us. 

They are growing up in a world that shouts louder than ever. They need us to show up – to understand their world, engage and live out God’s truth, even if we do not have all the answers.

At the end of the day, it is the strength of our relationship that weighs more than our conversations.

As I reflect on my own experience, I recall how there were times when I hesitated speaking into the life of my younger relative. 

I kept thinking: Maybe it is not my place to do or say anything. But now I see the urgency.

Just as Gen Alpha is watching and learning from what they see online, they are also watching us.

We can use our voice and presence to point them away from lies and misinformation, and towards God’s truth.

By doing this faithfully, we can make an eternal difference.

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