The Gen Alpha Wave Slowly Taking Over Genz Throne

I was recently at home when my younger brother brought friends to hang out. Naturally, I decided to join their conversation, curious about what they were discussing. However, as I listened, something unexpected happened, half the terms they were using flew straight over my head. At some point, I even had to Google a few of them just to keep up. When did GEN Alpha take over the space?

It hit me like a ton of bricks. Are the Gen Zs meeting the same fate as the Millennials? It can't be. I remember recently forwarding some funny memes to my mom, only for her to stare at me blankly, completely missing the humour. That was supposed to be a generational gap I'd never experienced. However, here I am, questioning if it's already happening to us.

If you still don't believe me, here's a test: do you recognize any of these terms—skibidii, sigma, sus, bop? If you don't, I have news for you: it's not our time anymore.

Every generation has its cultural moment, and for a while, Gen Z was at the centre of it all. They shaped trends, invented slang, and made the rules. However, now with the new wave of Generation Alpha, they are taking over with their own unique interests, humour, and language. TikTok trends we ruled are now cringe-worthy, and memes we laughed at are suddenly past tense.

It is a strange feeling to go from being the trendsetters to being the ones left scratching our heads. We always thought the cultural baton would pass eventually, but not this soon. The rapid evolution of social media has accelerated this cycle. Each new generation rises faster and creates trends at a pace that's hard to keep up with.

Looking back, it's hard not to see the irony. Gen Z was notorious for making fun of Millennials for holding on to their clean, shaved heads, briefcases, and skinny jeans. We were ruthless in claiming the cultural throne, but it doesn't feel so great now that Generation Alpha is doing the same to us. This cycle of cultural turnover seems inevitable.

This isn't just about slang or memes; it's about identity. Generational shifts force us to redefine who we are. It's a reminder that no one stays on top forever, and that's okay. The real challenge is finding ways to connect and staying open to the new instead of clinging to the past.

So, if you find yourself confused by the words skibidii, sigma, or bop, don't feel bad. It just means the cultural spotlight has shifted. But, instead of resisting, it's time to see what the younger generation has to teach us.