There is a lot to learn about generational sleeping that can coincide with different signs of sleep disorders or conditions. This three-part series looks closely at the different generations broken into three categories: baby boomers and Generation X; xennials and millennials; and Generation Z and Generation Alpha.
Why do generations exist? What is the purpose of separating age groups into generations?
Collectively, a U.S. generational cohort is composed of individuals born in a time span dictated or grouped by historical events roughly occurring during similar life cycles. Like a social class or culture, generational cohorts acquire traits and preferences common to the group.
The Pew Research Center defines a 15-to-20-year time span as a generational group or cohort with the added caveat of the definition of generation; date of birth cannot be the only definition as historical events and popular culture paired with individual demographics shape their cohort. Though individuals do not experience life events in the same context, this grouping brings similarities to the case of social system and structure.
Generation Z
This group is expected to surpass Millennials as the most diverse generation in terms of ethnicity, religion, and family structure. Born after 1998, this cohort has a high proficiency with social media beyond personal friendships, giving them a wide range of engagement worldwide. This engagement could positively prepare Generation Z for global business and communication in ways current generations could not completely engage.
The largest generational group in the U.S., Generation Z is the first to be raised entirely in the era of smartphones and social media simultaneously. This generation also is sometimes said to be Millennials on steroids because the second they are born, parents already think about assigning a domain name and social media feed to them.
Generation Z also proceeds with caution because of their heightened awareness of social media misinformation and mental health concerns with overuse. School shootings, global terrorism, and COVID-19 fuels this caution.
Generation Alpha
Born in 2010, the Alpha generation is the first to have technology at their fingertips from day one. According to Insider Intelligence, not only will this be the most diverse generation quickly surpassing Z’s, “this generation expects the diversity they see in their peers to be reflected in marketing efforts” including race, age, sexual orientation, gender, and more.
Because of their early technological knowledge, Alpha understands how to adapt to online content better than any other generation. This group of children knows how to start YouTube accounts and get millions of followers while appealing to a diverse demographic. And because of COVID-19, Alpha’s know how to go to school online making them a generation who will demand hybrid or remote learning and job experience.
Sleeping Deficiencies
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that 93% of Generation Z lose sleep not only because they stay up past their bedtime, but they stay up on their phones. If you think about the life of Generation Z during COVID-19, smartphones became their comfort blanket. TikTok and YouTube peaked at their highest engagement and users during this time because we were home and bored. Now as students move back into normal routines, this entire generation is learning the consequences of addiction to devices.
A recent survey also found that “Gen Z is most likely to prioritize sleep more broadly (61%) and revealed that they are the generation most likely to not finish their nighttime routine before dozing off for the day, as they are the most likely to fall asleep with their phone (68%), forget to brush their teeth (53%), or fall asleep with their day clothes on (47%).”
Alphas are children with the oldest being 11 years old. Remembering that as parents you need to adapt how to raise your digitally savvy Alpha will be important in creating healthy habits.
Without routine, it is hard to get into the mindset of sleep. The best course of action for Gen Z and the upcoming Alphas is to plug their devices outside the bedroom. It also is best to keep the Alpha generation off social media sites as long as possible. Try to find an app to lock their time and add a bedtime when the Internet is shut down. Removing push notifications will also keep you away from your device.
The consequence of growing up with social media is figuring out how to keep social media from becoming an addiction. If you need help trying to determine how to sleep more soundly at night, connect with the Alaska Sleep Clinic for a free consultation.
