At CGK, we’ve spent years researching how each generation experiences technology, work, and culture—and how these shifts impact the generations that follow. Millennials, the first generation to grow up in both an analog and digital world, are now facing a new and important role: guiding their children through a digital landscape that is vastly different from the one they first encountered.
CGK President Jason Dorsey was recently featured in a Newsweek article discussing this very topic—how Millennials are uniquely positioned to help the next generation develop digital resilience and literacy—and we would like to share some of our favorite insights from the article with you.
From Digital Guinea Pigs to Digital Gatekeepers
Born around the dawn of the internet revolution, Millennials were the first to navigate unfiltered social media, online chat rooms, and the early days of digital communication. Many remember MySpace top friends, AIM away messages, and a time when Facebook was exclusive to college students. They also played a key role in introducing older generations to smartphones and online safety.
Now, as parents, Millennials are reversing roles—teaching their children how to safely engage in a digital world that is evolving at an unprecedented pace.
As Jason shared in Newsweek, “Millennials got a little bit more of the wild west of the internet. They got social media that was a little bit rawer than things are now. Now, those same Millennials are frequently becoming parents and trying to figure out, knowing all we know, how do we think about digital technology with our kids?”
Teaching the Next Generation Digital Resilience
Millennial parents are acutely aware of the risks, challenges, and benefits of technology. Unlike older generations who may view digital platforms as an afterthought or younger generations who have never known life without them, Millennials occupy a unique space in understanding both the promises and pitfalls of an always-connected world.
Because of this, many Millennial parents are proactively engaging their children in discussions about digital literacy. They are explaining why influencers push likes and subscriptions, educating their kids on online scams, and setting boundaries to help them develop critical thinking skills around digital content.
The ability to balance access with protection is a significant challenge. While some parents take a stricter approach, aiming to shield their children from harmful content, others focus on equipping them with the tools to navigate the digital world responsibly. The key, as our research has shown, is helping children develop a strong sense of digital awareness rather than relying solely on restrictions.
Keeping Up with the Rapid Pace of Technology
One of the biggest challenges Millennials face as digital parents is the relentless speed of technological advancement. By the time policies and laws are created to address digital safety concerns, new technologies have often already changed the landscape.
As Jason noted in Newsweek, “By the time a law comes into effect, it may no longer be the right fit because technology has moved so far from when that law was originally written or conceived.”
This means that, for now, the responsibility of digital parenting falls largely on Millennials themselves. They are raising Gen Z and Gen Alpha children in an era of deepfake technology, AI-driven algorithms, and social media influence that extends beyond entertainment to education and identity. The pressures of online comparison, screen time management, and navigating digital interactions are daily challenges for today’s parents.
A More Skeptical Generation is Emerging
Millennials, having experienced both the benefits and the drawbacks of the digital revolution, are raising children who are more aware of the risks of social media and online platforms, potentially resulting in younger generations becoming more skeptical of the content they encounter, whether it be online or “IRL,” to borrow a term from Gen Z!
As Jason shared in Newsweek, “The idea that you can simply trust social media because it’s new and exciting is gone.”
This generational shift signals a major change in how future generations will interact with technology. Rather than viewing digital platforms as inherently positive or trustworthy, Millennials are teaching their children to approach technology with a more critical eye.
Looking Ahead: How Millennials Are Shaping the Future of Digital Parenting
The responsibility of preparing the next generation for a digitally complex future is both challenging and evolving. Millennials, once the test subjects of the digital age, are now serving as mentors—translating their own lessons into guidance for their children.
At The Center for Generational Kinetics, we continue to study how generational experiences shape parenting, technology adoption, and workplace expectations. As Millennials lead this next wave of digital parenting, their influence will play a defining role in how Gen Alpha and beyond interact with technology, social media, and digital culture.
To explore more about this trend, check out the full Newsweek article here. For deeper insights into generational trends, visit our latest State of Gen Z research study or download a free chapter of Zconomy here.
