Zalphas

Zalphas is a social cohort encompassing people born on the cusp of or during the latter years of Generation Z and the early years of Generation Alpha. Sources typically give ranges of those born between the later 2000s and earlier 2010s. They have been described as children of millenials.

Etymology

The term Zalpha is a portmanteau of "Generation Z" and "Generation Alpha".

Birth date and age range

The exact date range of this micro-generation is not specifically defined. Gina Desiderio defines Gen Sigma as those born between 2007 and 2013. Ben Rosen and Vicki Ostrom and Sonia Mulford Chaverri define the cuspers as those born between 2008 and 2014. Geetika Chhatwal defines the cuspers as those born between 2010 and 2015.

Characteristics

Zalphas are influenced by traits of both Generation Z and Generation Alpha, often sharing strong, polarizing connectivity to one adjoining generation over the other.
They are characterized as being "digital natives familiar with digital gadgets and technology from the cradle."
A 2023 Business Insider article cited a survey according to which Zalphas expressed a preference for fewer romantic or sexual plotlines in TV shows, instead favoring greater emphasis on friendship or platonic relationships. According to Stephanie Rivas-Lara and Hiral Kotecha, two of the survey's authors, this could stem from being isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic: "Young people are feeling a lack of close friendships, a separation from their community, and a sense that their digital citizen identity has superseded their sense of belonging in the real world".