{"id":3537,"date":"2023-07-02T03:37:43","date_gmt":"2023-07-02T03:37:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mysourcefunding.com\/leadership\/the-generational-backlash-against-monetizing-social-media\/"},"modified":"2023-07-02T03:37:43","modified_gmt":"2023-07-02T03:37:43","slug":"the-generational-backlash-against-monetizing-social-media","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mysourcefunding.com\/?p=3537","title":{"rendered":"The Generational Backlash Against Monetizing Social Media"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Brands, be aware: Generation Alpha is online, but they do not want to star in your sponsored posts or branded content.<\/p>\n

There is undeniable evidence that social media and other online platforms have contributed to America\u2019s youth mental health crisis. The U.S. Surgeon General has warned that social media use by children and teenagers can pose a \u201cprofound risk of harm\u201d to their mental health and well-being. Last September, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded $2 million in funding to the American Academy of Pediatrics to establish a National Center of Excellence on Social Media and Mental Wellness.<\/p>\n

This year, the oldest member of Generation Alpha turned 13 years old. Consumer marketing teams can officially gather more accurate data on the youngest Generation\u2019s social media behavior, straight from the source. (Thirteen is commonly the minimum age to use social media sites, but nearly 40% of kids ages 8 to 12 use social media platforms against company policy.) It hasn\u2019t been easy for Millennial parents to model good social media behavior for their children. But interestingly enough, Generation Alpha is not modeling its digital presence after that of its parents.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re experiencing a generational backlash.<\/p>\n

As Generation Alpha ages- and perhaps in response to the behavior of their Millennial parents- they\u2019re less inclined to star in their social media content. A 2021 report from Common Sense found that just 12% of Generation Alpha tweens enjoy social media \u201ca lot,\u201d a small percentage when compared to the amount who enjoyed online videos (61%) and video games (47%). Some 25% of the oldest members of Generation Alpha say it would be very easy for them to give up social media, compared to 16% of the youngest members of Generation Z. Generation Alpha spends only eight minutes daily creating content, yet nearly an hour and a half every day gaming.<\/p>\n

Studies suggest social media tends to make girls feel bad about themselves and their bodies. Understandably, more and more Generation Alpha girls are avoiding showing their faces and bodies on social media. This was confirmed after interviewing four anonymous 12-year-old girls about their digital footprint and presence on TikTok:<\/p>\n

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