19 Toxic Trends from Gen A That People Are Already Calling Out

Generation Alpha, born into a digital-first world, is shaping culture in new and sometimes controversial ways. Their tech-savviness and early exposure to social media bring innovation but also fuel trends that many consider toxic.

From screen obsession to cancel culture, these habits are sparking heated debates across generations. Let’s explore 19 behaviors being flagged as concerning and unpack why they’re raising eyebrows.

Excessive Screen Time

Gen A spends more hours glued to screens than any prior generation. Whether it’s gaming, social media, or streaming, this constant digital consumption raises concerns about physical health, social skills, and mental well-being.

Studies link excessive screen time to eye strain, poor posture, and shorter attention spans, making this trend a growing issue.

Cancel Culture Enthusiasm

Cancel culture, where individuals are “canceled” for controversial actions, is seeping into younger ages. Gen A’s involvement often turns into mob mentality, with minimal understanding of nuance or context.

While accountability is important, critics argue that this trend fosters hostility and eliminates room for learning and growth.

Trend Chasing

The pressure to stay relevant on platforms like TikTok leads Gen A to constantly chase fleeting trends. This pursuit can encourage superficiality, as many feel compelled to buy into fads to gain approval or avoid ridicule.

It often fuels a throwaway culture where nothing, including values, feels lasting.

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Over-Editing Photos

Gen A embraces apps that allow them to manipulate their appearance with a few taps. While fun, this trend creates unrealistic beauty standards and affects self-esteem. When everyone appears picture-perfect online, the line between reality and illusion blurs, leaving many feeling inadequate.

Online Clout Obsession

The race for likes, views, and followers dominates Gen A’s online presence. This fixation on metrics often sacrifices authenticity for the sake of virality.

Critics worry it cultivates a shallow sense of self-worth, where validation hinges on strangers' reactions.

Digital Dependency

Many Gen A kids rely heavily on technology for even basic tasks. From relying on apps for homework help to defaulting to autocorrect for spelling, this trend stifles critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

It also creates anxiety when technology isn’t available.

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Public Pranks

Elaborate pranks, staged for viral videos, are popular among Gen A but often toe the line between humor and harm. Critics argue these antics promote recklessness, as pranksters seek extreme reactions without considering consequences for those involved.

Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

With constant updates on social media, Gen A feels an overwhelming fear of missing out. Whether it’s a party, event, or trend, this anxiety drives them to overextend themselves.

FOMO often disrupts their ability to live in the moment and appreciate offline life.

Instant Gratification

Gen A has grown up in a world of instant streaming, same-day delivery, and immediate feedback. While convenient, this culture of instant gratification discourages patience and persistence.

Critics believe it fosters unrealistic expectations about effort and reward.

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Over-Sharing Personal Lives

Many Gen A kids document every moment of their lives online, sometimes oversharing personal information. While it creates connection, it also exposes them to cyberbullying and privacy risks.

Critics urge caution, warning that not everything belongs in the public domain.

Mimicking Influencers

Gen A looks up to influencers, often copying their behavior, speech, and lifestyle. While admiration isn’t inherently harmful, blindly emulating curated personas can lead to identity loss. It’s important to differentiate between inspiration and imitation.

Dismissing Long-Form Content

Short videos dominate Gen A’s attention span, making them less inclined to engage with long-form content like books or essays. Critics worry this trend limits their ability to process complex ideas and deep narratives, favoring surface-level information instead.

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Perfectionism Pressure

The curated world of social media fosters perfectionism in Gen A, where every post is expected to look flawless. This need for perfection often spills into real life, increasing anxiety and creating a fear of failure.

Overshadowing Real Achievement

Many Gen A kids prioritize online achievements, like gaining followers, over real-world accomplishments. While digital milestones have merit, critics argue that prioritizing them too highly can undermine meaningful, long-term goals.

Negative Self-Talk

Social media’s beauty standards and comparison culture amplify negative self-talk among Gen A. Many struggle with self-doubt, often internalizing criticism from comments or low engagement on their posts.

Critics call for more positive reinforcement and self-love.

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Lack of Outdoor Activity

Gen A spends less time outdoors than any previous generation. This indoor lifestyle, dominated by screens, reduces exposure to nature and physical activity, leading to higher risks of obesity, vitamin D deficiency, and a disconnect from the natural world.

Over-Saturation of Trends

The speed at which trends emerge and fade leaves Gen A constantly pivoting. This saturation not only creates fatigue but also makes it hard to appreciate or commit to anything meaningful.

It’s a cycle of endless consumption without depth.

Compulsive Comparison

Constant exposure to influencers and peers creates a breeding ground for comparison. Gen A often measures their worth against idealized online personas, which can erode self-confidence and increase feelings of inadequacy.

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Neglecting In-Person Connections

With so much focus on digital interaction, Gen A often struggles with face-to-face communication. Social skills like empathy and active listening can take a back seat to quick online exchanges, making meaningful, in-person relationships harder to build.