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How to Engage and Impress Generation Alpha of CEE in the Digital World

At Elevon.io, we’ve partnered with clients to design products specifically tailored for Generation Alpha or to develop strategies aimed at targeting this group in the future. Our experiences have shown that Generation Alpha, born between 2010 and 2025, is playing a significant role in shaping the future of digital products. This generation has grown up immersed in digital technology, and their behaviors reflect this.  

In this article, we’ll dive into the digital habits and educational trends of Generation Alpha, with a focus on selected countries in Central and Eastern Europe—including Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and the Baltic states. 

In the upcoming articles in this series, we will explore topics such as how Generation Alpha uses apps, the most popular platforms among them, and the types of content that resonate most with this generation. We will also delve into the risks they face online, highlighting common scams targeting Gen Alpha on platforms like Roblox and Minecraft, and provide practical advice for staying safe in the digital world. 

What Sets Generation Alpha Apart in the Digital World? 

Generation Alpha is the first generation that has always had access to smartphones, social media, and high-speed internet. Unlike Generation Z, they have never known a world without these technologies. Research by McCrindle suggests that Generation Alpha will be the most educated and digitally fluent generation in history 

Growing up in a digital-first environment has shaped their expectations for how technology should work. They expect seamless user experiences, whether for education, entertainment, or social interactions. 

Insights into Screen Time and Device Usage Among Generation Alpha 

Generation Alpha’s screen time and device usage trends in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and the Baltics reflect the broader global patterns of growing digital engagement, but with some regional differences. This growing engagement with digital devices is driving Generation Alpha to become more tech-savvy at an early age, influencing their daily lives and educational experiences. 

Alpha's digital habits are rapidly evolving. Children aged 6-12 in these countries spend an average of 2.8 to 3.2 hours per day on screens, with this number increasing to 5 hours or more for teenagers. 

Device ownership follows similar patterns, with around 60-65% of children owning smartphones by age 9, and the rate rising to 80-85% for teenagers. Usage is primarily for social media, gaming, and streaming, aligning with global trends. 

This growing engagement with digital devices is shaping their learning, entertainment, and social interactions. 

If you’re interested in detailed insights and a deeper breakdown of these statistics by country, you can download our comprehensive report for a full analysis. 

Digital Learning Platforms for Generation Alpha in Selected CEE Countries 

Digital learning platforms have become essential tools for educating Generation Alpha. The rise of digital education in these countries has accelerated, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, as schools have embraced technology to ensure learning continuity and foster essential skills for the digital age. 

Slovakia and the Czech Republic: A Shift Toward Digital Learning 

In Slovakia and the Czech Republic, platforms like EduPage, Google Classroom, and Microsoft Teams have become key tools in the education sector. According to reports from the European Commission, the vast majority of schools now use digital platforms for managing assignments, grades, and communication between teachers, students, and parents. This shift towards digital education has helped Generation Alpha in these countries develop strong digital skills early in life, preparing them for a tech-driven future. 

In the Czech Republic, schools have similarly embraced platforms like Google Classroom and Microsoft Teams to support remote and hybrid learning environments.  

These platforms allow teachers to personalize educational experiences for Generation Alpha, offering tools that enhance digital literacy and facilitate interactive learning. Schools in both countries have also integrated basic coding and programming skills into the curriculum, ensuring students are ready for the future workforce. 

Poland and Hungary: Blending Traditional and Digital Education 

Poland and Hungary have also seen widespread adoption of digital platforms such as Librus Synergia, Microsoft Teams, and KRÉTA (in Hungary). In Poland, the government’s Integrated Platform for Remote Learning (Zintegrowana Platforma Edukacyjna) offers students access to e-textbooks, interactive learning resources, and digital lessons. This platform has been crucial in preparing Generation Alpha for a world where digital literacy is essential. 

In Hungary, schools use the KRÉTA platform, which supports online learning, assignment tracking, and communication between teachers and students. Hungary has also made significant investments in digital infrastructure to ensure that Generation Alpha has access to laptops, tablets, and other devices needed for a modern educational experience. Both Poland and Hungary are integrating digital learning into their national curriculums, fostering technical proficiency in areas like programming and problem-solving. 

The Baltics: Leaders in Digital Education 

The Baltic states—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—are leading the way in digital education. Estonia, in particular, is recognized globally for its eKool platform, which connects students, parents, and teachers in a comprehensive digital ecosystem. This platform helps manage academic progress and communication, ensuring that students have access to digital tools from the beginning of their academic journey. 

eKool application for education for kids

These countries are setting the standard for digital literacy in Generation Alpha, preparing them for a future that will demand a deep understanding of technology. 

 

Creative Gaming: A Learning Frontier for Generation Alpha  

For Generation Alpha gaming is more than just entertainment. It has become a powerful tool for creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving, offering children the chance to engage with technology in meaningful ways. Platforms like Minecraft and Roblox are at the forefront of this movement, providing open-ended environments where children can explore, build, and collaborate. 

Using Games as Educational Tools 

In Slovakia and the Czech Republic, educators in project such as Učeniehrou.sk are increasingly utilizing Minecraft: Education Edition to teach subjects such as history, math, and programming. In Slovakia, the platform is being adopted to help students develop 21st-century skills, including collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving.  

Minecraft worlds allow students to engage with history and geography, for example, by exploring Slovak cities and solving tasks related to local geography. Additionally, Minecraft is used in extracurricular activities to teach programming through creative problem-solving in a virtual environment​. 

In the Czech Republic thanks to initiatives as O2Chytráškola.cz, Minecraft is also widely used in classrooms. It has proven to be an effective tool for teaching a variety of subjects beyond just technical fields. Students can recreate historical monuments or use the game to learn math principles like ratios and geometry by interacting with the virtual environment. Minecraft also helps with fostering creativity and digital citizenship, providing students with a platform to collaborate and solve problems in innovative ways​. 

These initiatives highlight the growing trend of integrating game-based learning to make education more engaging for Generation Alpha across both countries. 

The Baltics: Fostering Digital Creativity 

In the Baltics digital creativity is being fostered through gaming platforms as part of their educational programs. In Estonia, the ProgeTiger initiative has been a leading force in integrating digital tools into school curricula, helping students from kindergarten through high school learn coding, problem-solving, and digital design. The program emphasizes the importance of creativity and collaboration while teaching technical skills like programming and robotics​. 

In Latvia, initiatives like Riga TechGirls are using platforms such as Roblox to promote coding and game design, particularly targeting girls to encourage gender diversity in technology. These programs aim to inspire a new generation of female digital creators by providing workshops and mentoring​. 

What Do These Trends in Learning Mean for Digital Products? 

At Elevon.io, we see that Generation Alpha’s digital expectations are reshaping the way products are developed. This generation demands digital experiences that are interactive, engaging, and personalized. They aren’t just using technology—they are helping to shape it. Their exposure to digital tools from an early age means they expect seamless user experiences and high levels of customization. 

1. Personalization and Interaction: A Must for Generation Alpha 

Platforms like Minecraft, and Roblox have set the standard for interactive and personalized experiences for Generation Alpha. A study by Morning Consult found that over 40% of parents believe these platforms positively impact their children’s social skills. This means that companies developing products for this generation need to focus on personalization and interaction. For Generation Alpha, a static digital experience simply won’t cut it. 

2. Merging Fun with Learning: The Growth of Edutainment 

There’s a growing opportunity to merge education with entertainment for Generation Alpha. Apps like Duolingo, which gamify learning, have shown how effective this approach can be. At Elevon.io, we believe that more digital products will emerge that combine fun and learning, appealing to both children and their parents. This blend of "edutainment" is key to keeping Generation Alpha engaged. 

3. Parental Controls and Safety: A Key Concern 

Safety is one of the top priorities for any digital product aimed at children. Apps like Messenger Kids have grown in popularity because they offer robust parental controls, giving parents peace of mind while allowing their children to explore and engage with the digital world. For developers, building strong safety features into digital products is essential for gaining the trust of both Generation Alpha and their parents. 

Conclusion: Shaping the Future of Digital Products 

Generation Alpha, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe, is not just adapting to the digital world—they are helping to define its future. At Elevon.io, we see this generation as active participants and co-creators in shaping their digital experiences. Their desire for personalization, creativity, and safety will continue to drive innovation in the years to come. 

For businesses and developers, it’s crucial to meet Generation Alpha’s expectations at the intersection of technology, creativity, and education. The digital products that succeed with this generation will be those that offer engaging, personalized experiences while ensuring safety and parental control. This generation is not just shaping the future—they are leading it. 

 

References: 

  1. McCrindle, Mark. Understanding Generation Alpha. McCrindle Research, 2020: https://generationalpha.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Understanding-Generation-Alpha-McCrindle.pdf  

  1. European Commission. Education and Training in Slovakia: Digital Transition. European Commission, 2022: https://education.ec.europa.eu/focus-topics/digital-education/action-plan  

  1. eKool. "Estonia’s Digital Schooling Revolution." eKool Platform, 2021: https://www.ekool.eu/en/home  

  1. OECD. ProgeTiger: Estonia’s STEM Education Initiative, OECD Reports, 2020: https://www.educationestonia.org/progetiger/  

  1. European Commission: Digital Education Focus Topics 
    https://education.ec.europa.eu/focus-topics/digital-education 

  1. Učenie Hrou: Educational Technology in Slovakia 
    https://uceniehrou.sk/ 

  1. Zintegrowana Platforma Edukacyjna (ZPE): Polish Government Educational Platform 
    https://zpe.gov.pl/ 

 

Author: Zuzana Brendzová, Business Consultant for AI Products at Elevon