Latest news with #GenAlphas
The Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Gen Alpha redefines M'sian financial literacy landscape
KUALA LUMPUR: Gen Alpha (the digital-first generation born 2010 onwards) isn't waiting to grow up before engaging with money – they're already making their mark on the world of digital finance. In Malaysia, new research from Mastercard shows that 97% of Gen Alpha children already have access to a financial account, while many hold digital wallets (46%), investment accounts (40%), and debit cards (40%). Half (50%) of parents say their Gen Alpha children are more financially savvy than they were at the same age, with 40% saying that their children know more about new payment methods than they do. Malaysia's Gen Alpha is growing up in a digital-first environment, where mobile wallets are already the norm – driving one of the highest digital wallet penetration rates in Southeast Asia at around 40%. From an early age, Malaysia's Gen Alphas expect seamless, tech-enabled payment experiences across all touchpoints. As trends like 'shoppertainment' gain traction – blending in-app interactivity, AR/VR commerce, and real-time entertainment – Gen Alpha is poised to favour brands that integrate immersive content with frictionless digital payments. In Malaysia, parents of Gen Alphas anticipate their children will grow up in a digital-first financial world – one where they may never own a physical wallet (62%) or carry cash. And while parents of Gen Alpha kids feel prepared to teach their children about foundational financial concepts, they are less confident when it comes to more complex financial topics: > 51% feel that it is getting increasingly complicated to teach their children about finances. > 54% are unsure that their financial knowledge applies to their children's generation. > 79% wish there were more tools available to teach children about finances. With the rise of digital wallets, mobile payments and virtual accounts, Malaysian families are calling for smarter, future-ready solutions that will set their children up for success. This gives visionary banks and financial institutions an opportunity to pave the way by delivering digital tools that not only simplify money management but also support how children learn about finances. For instance, Gen Alpha parents in Malaysia are showing strong interest in features like educational content (73%), parental controls (73%), seamless account transfers (57%), real-world learning simulations (45%), and gamified experiences (42%). Mastercard Malaysia & Brunei country manager Beena Pothen said, 'These findings highlight the remarkable pace at which Malaysia's youngest generation is embracing digital finance. With 97% of Gen Alpha children already accessing financial accounts and nearly half using digital wallets, it's clear they're growing up with a strong digital-first mindset. This is a true reflection of Malaysia's impressive momentum in digital transformation. Mastercard is supporting this progress by driving innovation that delivers secure, seamless, and meaningful payment experiences – not just for Gen Alpha children, but for their parents as well. These insights will help guide how government and industry can collaborate to empower Gen Alpha families with the tools they need to thrive in a world where digital finance is second nature.' The mean and median age of Gen Alpha children represented by their parents in this study is 7.24 years and 7 years respectively. These include account(s) in their own names and account(s) owned by an adult such as their parent(s) or guardian(s). The findings in this report are based on a global research study conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Mastercard. The survey gathered responses from 19,302 consumers across five global regions, including 9,131 consumers in Asia Pacific and 1,010 in Malaysia. The study was conducted via a quantitative online survey, administered from Sept 4-20, 2024. It covered five regions: North America, Latin America and Caribbean, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and Asia Pacific which included respondents in Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
NDTV
29-07-2025
- Science
- NDTV
Why Gen Alpha Will Be The Most Watched Generation In Human History
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently discussed how traditional education is going to change in the next 15-20 years, with artificial intelligence (AI) becoming an integral part of learning. This potential shift in global education structure highlights how Generation Alpha will be the most watched generation in human history. From basic education to financial literacy, Gen Alpha is going to face unique circumstances in the coming years that likely have far-reaching consequences for their lives, society and the future of humanity. Rise Of Tech, Neurotech And AI Gen Alpha includes people born (or yet to be born) between 2010 and 2025, with nearly two billion individuals worldwide, which makes them potentially the largest generation in history. India and China have the highest birth rates for this generation. McCrindle data reveals that 2,586,000 Gen Alphas are born globally each week. It's not wrong to call them 'digital natives' as they are growing up with smartphones, social media and AI. Data published by Qustodio revealed that 72 per cent of students globally use digital devices in the classroom. Imagine the impact on curious minds with access to everything through the internet. Gen Alpha is surrounded by AI-powered devices, from smart toys and virtual assistants to personalised learning platforms. They also use smart devices, wearables and Internet of Things (IoT) technology, with their daily activities being tracked and monitored like never before. Although these technologies make life easier and open diverse opportunities, they collect vast amounts of data on behaviour, preferences and learning patterns. This data can be used to create detailed profiles of behaviour, interests and habits, with possibilities of data breach issues. Gen Alpha is also witnessing advancement in neurotech, such as brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) and neurofeedback devices, which are being used to monitor and influence brain activity. This technology will impact Gen Alpha as it has the potential to shape their thoughts, emotions and behaviours. Growing up with such technologies is likely to have profound effects on Gen Alpha's cognitive, social and emotional development. It may influence their sense of identity, self-awareness and relationships with others. Some experts have argued that Gen Alpha's reliance on technology may lead to dependency issues, affecting their ability to function without devices, which might cause increased stress, anxiety and decreased self-esteem. Hence, parents and educators play a vital role in managing Gen Alpha's technology use as they are expected to ensure balanced exposure and promote healthy digital habits. Gen Alpha Knows What's Best For Them Gen Alphas have access to smartphones and tablets from an increasingly early age. Children between 8 and 12 years old spend an average of 4 hours and 44 minutes in front of screens every day. Smartphone addiction and social media addiction have been on the rise in recent years, especially among Millennials and Boomers. But Gen Alpha may show a balanced approach as 75 per cent of children aged 8-10 are already thinking about mental health. The majority of this generation also thinks that there's a need to disconnect from technology for well-being. Peek Into Their Spending Habits Gen Alpha's spending power is estimated to reach $5.46 trillion by 2029. A total of 90 per cent of Gen Alpha children earn their own money, with 69 per cent earning through chores and 48 per cent interested in starting a business or side hustle. Still, parents play a huge role in shaping Gen Alpha's financial habits, with 80 per cent of Gen Alpha learning about money from their parents. Will They Lack Moral Values? The answer is NO, because Gen Alpha considers helping people the most important thing in life. Several surveys have found that Alphas are tech-savvy but have a deep sense of environmental and social awareness. A GWI data revealed that in the United States, 61 per cent of Gen Alphas said that helping people is important for them. A total of 51 per cent said they would protect people from bullying, and 51 per cent said everyone should be treated the same. According to data by Razorfish, more than 30 per cent of Gen Alphas say they want to make a difference, growing up to help people or the planet.
Hamilton Spectator
25-07-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Cringe' – New Lynn Canyon cliff jumping signs target Gen Z
'Injured in Lynn Canyon? 100% not the vibe.' That is one of the new signs the District of North Vancouver has installed in Lynn Canyon Park to discourage younger generations from cliff jumping. Younger district staff members came up with the idea of incorporating lingo used by Gen Z and Gen Alpha to reinforce age-old warnings in the park where local rangers and firefighters have been responding to multiple calls for cliff jumpers in distress. 'We're really trying to be strategic to target Gen Z's and Gen Alphas to communicate with them in a way that resonates with them,' said Mike Danks, fire chief for the District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services. 'I think that age group between 12 and 22, those are typically the people that we're seeing getting injured there.' 'Your friends might cheer. First Responders won't' and 'Spoiler Alert: Your viral jump ends in the hospital' are two other signs placed in the park. Another reads 'Real ones keep their friends alive,' all signing off with 'Cliff jumping can be deadly' in a yellow text message shaped sign. At least 40 people have died in in the park over the last 50 years and countless more have needed rescues, the fire chief said. Last summer a 21-year-old man died after going over the Twin Falls in Lynn Canyon . Fire crews at the time said the man had been under water for at least 20 minutes before being pulled to shore. Five days later, a man was rescued in the same area attempting to cliff jump while intoxicated . In August that year, a 17-year-old male from Windsor, Ont. died after falling from a cliff in the park . Recently, North Vancouver firefighters rescued a man who dislocated his shoulder after jumping into the 90 Foot Pool in Lynn Canyon . With the high number of visitors and calls, first responders are cautioning parkgoers about the dangers of cliff jumping. Unstable and slippery slopes, fluctuating water conditions, hidden hazards under the water and currents are some of the potentially deadly risks people can be exposed to, Danks said. 'You have a lot of things working against you,' he said. 'You're immediately immersed into very cold water, which can cause you to gasp, cause you to inhale water, which restricts your breathing.' Danks speaks from personal experience. As he was making his way to jump from the cliffs as a 17-year-old, he slipped on wet rocks and sliced his hand on a large piece of glass. Years later, he still has a scar. He shares his story to show he's been there too and that 'it's not worth it.' 'There's nothing more isolating than being hurt and looking up from the canyon and seeing that there's no way out for you, and that's a really scary feeling,' Danks said. 'It's just a perspective that people don't think about.' More than half a million people visit Lynn Canyon each year, said Cpl. Mansoor Sahak for North Vancouver RCMP in a post on X . One of the most dangerous forces they can encounter is pressure from friends to do something stupid. 'So we're asking you, don't peer pressure any of your friends into doing something dangerous that could cost them their life,' Sahak said in the video. The fire chief said park rangers are on site to educate visitors on how to enjoy the park safely and the district staffs up when there's good weather. In the meantime, he hopeful the new signs will find their target audience. 'We're just trying to find a 'cringe' way to really get attention from these individuals, and we really hope this resonates with them,' Danks said. Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Perth Now
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Charlize Theron 'not allowed' to use slang
Charlize Theron's daughters won't let her use their favourite slang words. The 49-year-old actress - who has adopted kids Jackson, 12, and nine-year-old August - think she is "too old" for certain popular terms, while she is "not allowed" to use other phrases because they have gone out of fashion. Walking the red carpet in a fishnet Givenchy outfit at the Los Angeles premiere of her latest movie The Old Guard 2, Charlize told Extra of her look: "August gave it a thumbs-up." Host Terri Seymour then asked: "What do they say? Would it be 'snatched'? Do we say you're looking 'snatched'?" Charlize admitted: 'Apparently, I'm not allowed to say it. There's so many things I'm just not allowed to say anymore. I'm still learning my way. ''Rizz' is something that I can't say. Nobody says it, apparently. There's a lot of like, 'You can't say that because you're old,' but she was like 'Nobody even says that anymore,' so every day is an education. All of it. "Things change so fast… I wouldn't go by my understanding of this very intricate language of the Gen Alphas and Zs." And while Charlize "loved" her retro hairstyle in The Old Guard 2, she recently admitted her kids were horrified by her mullet. Speaking on Late Night with Seth Meyers, she said: "I have two girls, and they're very, very... they're mostly very girly. And they think of me as a princess. And they want Mom to look like a princess. "But they came back from school. I was in my bathroom and I was getting it cut and it had already been coloured. And I just remember looking over and they both came into the room really excited, and then they just both froze. And they just went... and one started crying. "One literally started bawling their eyes out. And I had to actually sit down with her and say, 'We all get to be who we want to be. And right now, Mom wants to wear a mullet.' I don't tell you what to do with your hair." Impersonating one of her children, Charlize added: "I still don't like it." The Mad Max: Fury Road actress revealed last month that her children are unimpressed by her Hollywood career. During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Theron quipped: "My children have zero respect for me. "It's just unbelievable, I feel like I'm pretty humble, but every once in a while I'm like, 'There's a f****** Oscar right there.' They are so not impressed with me." Charlize recalled an incident when her youngest child unflatteringly compared her with Tom Cruise. She explained: "I was picking up my youngest from dance yesterday and we drove past the new Mission Impossible poster where Tom Cruise is hanging onto some yellow plane, and he just looks really cool. "My kids were with me when I shot Old Guard 2 and I worked on this incredibly intricate sequence where we brought in this amazing helicopter pilot, Fred North, and we were gonna choreograph me fighting helicopters and jumping on this real helicopter and hanging off. Shooting 99 per cent of it on a real helicopter as it's trying to shake me off like a rag doll. "We took like two weeks to shoot this sequence and I was like, 'Wow, I just did that, that's really amazing.' And my child yesterday just looked at this poster of Tom Cruise and went, 'It's weird, he looks so much cooler than you did when you were hanging off the helicopter.' "I was just like, 'I hung off the helicopter, [can I have] some credit?'"
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
As boomers are forced to ‘unretire' because they've not saved enough, 6-year-olds in Germany could soon have retirement accounts
Millions of baby boomers are being forced out of retirement, having realized their nest eggs don't quite make ends meet. With people living longer than ever, the issue will only get worse. So Germany is considering preparing Gen Alphas for the decades they'll one day be retired, with an 'early start pension' plan. After having a brief taste of retirement, a sizable chunk of Gen X and baby boomer retirees are dusting off their suits and returning to work instead, having not saved up enough to kick up their feet in the current climate. It's a fate that Gen Alpha in Germany may never have to face. That's because children as young as 6 could start saving for retirement, under new plans. As per a report from CNBC, Germany's coalition government has proposed an 'early start pension'—a retirement program designed for children between 6 and 18 years old. Unlike your regular pension pot, which requires putting aside a portion of your salary for your future self, the country's government would pay out 10 euros ($11) a month to children in education under this new plan. Over 12 years of eligibility, this could accumulate to more than 1,440 euros per child, not counting the potential investment gains from compounding interest over the decade. Then, from the age of 18 onward, they can add personal funds to the accounts and enjoy tax-free profits. However, that cash will become accessible to account holders only when they reach retirement age—which is currently set at 67 in Germany. 'The government plans to strengthen the state pension as well as reforming company pension schemes and private pensions,' a spokesperson confirmed the plans to Fortune. 'As one project, the so-called early start pension aims at offering young people perspectives for fund-based private pensions.' People are working well beyond retirement age globally. They're living longer than expected, caring for both their elderly parents and Gen Zers, and wanting to enjoy the fruits of their labor with lavish vacations instead of pottering around. It's why the number of those who have continued to work past 65 in the U.S. has quadrupled since the 1980s, according to the Pew Research Center. Now, almost 20% of Americans 65 and older are employed. That's around 11 million people and nearly double the share of those who were working 35 years ago. In the U.K., nearly 20% of baby boomers and late Gen Xers are similarly 'unretiring'—or planning to, because their retirement desires don't match up to the nest egg they've built. It's why it's never too soon to start retirement planning. The renowned financial expert Suze Orman previously highlighted that Gen Z and millennials could indeed retire as millionaires if they make the most of compound growth while they're young. She used just $100 to highlight how powerful compound growth is. By investing $100 every month from the ages of 25 to 65 into an account with a 12% yield, Gen Z could retire with around $1,188,342. A millennial who started their investment journey just five years later, at age 30, would accumulate around $649,626 by age 65, she warned. 'With a 12% annual average rate of return—the markets can do that for you—you'd have a million dollars,' she explained. 'If there's anything the younger generation needs to understand, it's that the key ingredient to any financial freedom recipe is compounding.' So you can only imagine what the numbers could look like for someone who started saving at 6, not 26. By the time they reach their golden years, they could be living the retirement dreams their parents had to return to work to chase. Have you set up a pension for your child? Fortune wants to hear from you. Get in touch: This story was originally featured on
