A seven-year-old boy named Felix woke up thrilled for the start of summer holidays. His mother took him to a free activity day at a local football club, featuring fitness classes, lunch, and a stadium tour.
Excitement Meets Indifference
Felix eagerly chatted with nearby children upon arrival, his energy infectious amid the whoops and cheers. Yet some kids appeared disengaged, merely going through the motions despite the fun atmosphere.
Several hours into the event, a group of parents and children arrived late, slumping into chairs without greetings, apologies, or explanations. Staff instructions met blank stares—no smiles, nods, or responses—creating an unnerving rudeness amid the excitement.
The Gen Alpha Stare Phenomenon
This behavior echoes the viral “Gen Z stare,” where younger people offer vacant looks in social settings, often blamed on screens, the pandemic, and reluctance to converse. More concerning is the “Gen Alpha stare” in the next generation, paired with rudeness like omitting “thank you” or “sorry.”
Everyday Encounters Highlight the Issue
At a museum event, Felix tried drawing and talking with a peer, only to receive a blank stare. On the beach, some children ignored the surroundings, fixated on parents’ smartphones.
During lunch at the football club, a mother held the door for a parent and seven-year-old, yet they passed without acknowledgment or thanks, not even speaking to each other.
Root Causes: Screens and Pandemic Effects
The pandemic isolated many children; 47% of parents reported worsened social and emotional skills in the first year of Covid. Screen use exacerbates this: 76% of five- to seven-year-olds use tablets, and 20% of three- to four-year-olds own smartphones.
Adults average three hours and 21 minutes daily on smartphones. Princess Kate supports research urging parents to prioritize child interaction over screens, emphasizing eye contact to build focus and relationships.
Steps to Foster Better Communication
The mother avoids scrolling in front of Felix, chats with neighbors despite occasional aloofness, and limits his screen time to educational TV. Raised in the countryside with community chats, she instills politeness in urban London, making friends through engagement.
She encourages Felix to order from waiters, promoting outspokenness. Parents must promote free play, creativity, and politeness—calling out disengagement when needed—to prevent a generation of socially isolated adults.
Politeness costs nothing and builds confident communicators.
