A new wave of anxiety is sweeping through Generation Alpha, children born after 2013, according to recent research highlighted by Psychology Today (psychologytoday.com). Surprisingly, smart devices and the relentless pursuit of daily convenience—rather than screen time alone—may be fueling this phenomenon. This research is significant for Thai families and educators as it points to a broader transformation in childhood resilience, skills that are critical for success and well-being in a rapidly changing world.
Traditionally, concerns about youth anxiety focused on social media and smartphone overuse, particularly in Generation Z. Yet, statistics from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that in 2021, one in five children—many too young to own phones—had been diagnosed with a mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder, with anxiety the most common diagnosis (cdc.gov). The question now confronting experts globally, including those shaping Thailand’s education and mental health policy, is: if Gen Alpha is largely phone-free, what is driving this escalating anxiety?
The answer lies in an overlooked but powerful factor—Gen Alpha is growing up in a world engineered for absolute predictability. Everyday tools such as GPS navigation, family scheduling apps, instant weather updates, and even children’s television programs are designed to eliminate uncertainty from their lives. As outlined in the research, this “certainty machine” culture means today’s children often receive answers and directions before they even have a chance to ask questions or problem-solve on their own.
The cumulative effect is a generation trained to expect external solutions and discomforted by ambiguity. This is further complicated by the phenomenon of “certainty-parenting”—where caregivers, empowered by technology, clear away obstacles and prevent moments of confusion or challenge from arising in the first place. The article’s author, writing from personal experience, describes this as the “Certainty Trap.” Unlike the notorious “helicopter parenting” of previous decades, in which parents hovered anxiously over their children’s every move, today’s caregivers use technology as a “SmartPlow,” smoothing out every bump before the child is even aware.
Science backs up the concern: as summarized in a review from Nature Reviews Neuroscience (nature.com), the human brain’s anxiety response is deeply connected to how well one can tolerate the unknown. When children are rarely exposed to uncertainty in small, manageable doses, their ability to cope with larger, inevitable challenges is undermined. “Predictability today, panic tomorrow,” the author notes, capturing the paradox facing Gen Alpha.
Expert opinions both abroad and within Thailand have echoed these warnings. A child psychiatrist affiliated with the Department of Mental Health in Thailand commented that while Thai children are often praised for high academic achievement and obedience, rising reports of school-based anxiety, perfectionism, and avoidance behaviors suggest these young people may feel deeply uncomfortable with uncertainty—a trend that mirrors international findings (bangkokpost.com).
The situation is compounded for Thai youth by the prevalence of digital learning tools and hyper-scheduled lifestyles, especially in urban areas such as Bangkok. Modern Thai parenting, influenced by both familial tradition and new technologies, increasingly leans toward controlling and optimizing children’s daily experience, from school commutes by GPS to online homework timetables—often with little opportunity for unstructured play or independent exploration, which experts identify as key to developing resilience (unesco.org).
Yet the research also points to hope. The developing brains of Gen Alpha remain highly adaptable, and interventions are possible—if parents, educators, and policymakers pivot in time. The article recommends five specific strategies, all backed by developmental psychology and relevant to Thai cultural context:
- Normalize not having all the answers, and let children experience manageable uncertainty. For instance, encourage youth to ask questions and explore solutions rather than providing instant answers or relying on digital shortcuts.
- Cultivate problem-solving by asking, “How will you figure this out?”—an approach familiar to Thai educators in project-based learning.
- Resist the urge to “rescue” children from every challenge. For example, allow them to navigate a school event location without turning to an app.
- Design “micro-challenges” into everyday life, such as encouraging children to order food by themselves in a local restaurant, or to help plan a family outing using public transportation.
- Reclaim boredom as a catalyst for creativity and human connection. Rather than filling every moment with structured activities or digital entertainment, make space for free time and face-to-face social interaction—a deeply valued aspect of Thai community life.
Expert commentary from educational psychologists in Thailand’s Ministry of Education has emphasized the importance of building self-efficacy and confidence in students, particularly as they adapt to “Education 4.0”—a national push toward innovation and critical thinking (moe.go.th). The findings from international research underline that these goals are not only desirable, but increasingly essential as automation and artificial intelligence accelerate uncertainty in future careers.
This debate takes on added resonance in Thailand’s unique cultural environment. While respect for elders, family solidarity, and harmony are prized, these same values can, if combined with top-down control, inhibit risk-taking and independent problem-solving. Recent Thai educational reforms have aimed to balance these traditions with new pedagogical models encouraging trial-and-error learning, teamwork, and open-ended inquiry (unesco.org).
Looking forward, the risk is that unless today’s children are given safe opportunities to confront uncertainty, their anxiety will only intensify as society becomes more complex and unpredictable. Future impacts could include not only higher mental health burdens but also a workforce less prepared to adapt, create, and lead amid global volatility. Already, mental health professionals in Thailand report a steady increase in anxiety and stress-related issues among children and adolescents, especially during transitions such as entering new schools or navigating disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic (bangkokpost.com).
So what can Thai families, schools, and policymakers do now to break the “certainty machine” cycle? Practical steps include:
- Integrating unstructured play and “learning by doing” into both formal and informal education.
- Training parents in positive risk-taking and emotional coaching, perhaps via school workshops or public health campaigns.
- Promoting mental health literacy nationwide, so children and adults can recognize the healthy role of uncertainty and seek help when anxiety becomes disruptive.
- Encouraging national debate about the intelligent use—not the blanket rejection—of digital tools, so technology supports rather than stifles children’s resilience.
For Thai parents and caregivers, this could mean shifting from the urge to provide perfect answers to offering encouragement, empathy, and a safe space for mistakes. For schools, it might involve balancing digital learning with hands-on, collaborative projects that challenge students to navigate ambiguity together. And for government, investing in research and pilot programmes that test new models of social and emotional learning for Gen Alpha is critical.
As the author concludes, the goal is not to eliminate anxiety altogether—resilience is not about avoiding challenge, but about learning to adapt and persevere when it comes. For Thailand, a nation navigating rapid change yet anchored in community, this may be the most important lesson Gen Alpha can learn.
In summary, technology’s drive for certainty is quietly reshaping Thai childhood anxiety—but there is still time to re-balance, nurture resilience, and prepare the next generation for whatever uncertainties may come. For Thai readers, the path forward begins with small changes: one moment of uncertainty at a time.
For further reading and support, parents and teachers can consult resources from the Thai Department of Mental Health (dmh.go.th), the Ministry of Education’s EdTech division (moe.go.th), and international mental health advocacy groups. Start today by giving a child in your life a question—rather than the answer.