The children of celebrities have always been a – somewhat perverse – obsession in showbiz culture. We need only look back to mid-noughties Britney Spears, when she was forced to drive with her son on her lap because of a dangerous paparazzi run-in. But now, in the social media age where many celebrities are happy to share images of their children online, we’re more obsessed than ever. So much so that generation alpha is already being investigated, fawned over, sold as the eye to some all-important truth we must know.
Generation Alpha begins in 2010, and includes children born up until 2025, which means the oldest of this generation are currently nine. The voice of this generation so far is North West, who at 5 years old has probably only been able to use such a voice in any coherent way for what, two years? She just did her first ever magazine cover for WWD and has been put at (or pushed to) the forefront of a generation highly ‘engaged with fashion and beauty’.
On the cover – for which she apparently chose her own makeup and fashion looks - she look adorable, posing sweetly with toys, props and even throwing up a peace sign. Yet, there’s something mildly uncomfortable about having a five-year-old represent a generation that, combined with gen Z, makes up 22% of the U.S. population - supposedly having massive implications on the beauty industry.
It’s not so much the obsession with Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s daughter though, but the obsession with generation alpha in general. In the past few years, we’ve seen millennials – an age group that spans people from 22 to 38 – stereotyped and stigmatized. We can’t afford houses because we buy too many avocado’s, can’t get a job because we’re all spoiled, can’t take a joke because we’re too sensitive about our human rights.
We’ve been scrutinized and sniffed at, so much so that comparisons between millennials and baby boomers have spawned a thousand memes. Is it now the turn of generation alpha, almost half of whom haven’t even been born yet? Are we really, already, beginning our obsession with a new decade of youths?
There’s something eerily ageist about the way in which we double-down on children to investigate their every move, especially children whom already possess status because of their parents. Will the 30 under 30 lists that all make us feel inadequateif we’ve been normal humans in our 20’s and not figured our entire lives out soon become the 10 under 10 list?
When it comes to fashion and beauty, it’s even more disturbing. We’ve all seen the memes about how teens are bypassing the embarrassing blue eyeshadow phases of their lives, skipping straight to full MUA at 12, contoured better than we ever could. It’s clear that the influence of tech means children are learning more, and faster, at an early age.
Click through for inspirational Instagram accounts you should be following
Inspirational Instagram Accounts You Should Follow
1 of 24Women In Comics
Illustrating inspirational images and depicting women in comic form, this account will brighten up your timeline with some home truths in the form of pretty pictures.
2 of 24Adwoa Aboah
This insanely beautiful model founded GURLS TALK, an online community where women from all backgrounds can share their personal experiences in a safe space.
3 of 24Alicia Garza
Alicia is an editor and activist who co-created #BlackLivesMatter. Her feed is a mixture of relatable memes, unfiltered selfies and educational posts to keep you woke.
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4 of 24Amandla Stenberg
You might recognise this actor from The Hunger Games, when she played the character only character we cried endless tears for, Rue. Now, while still acting, she's a full-fledged activist posting about everything gender, feminism and black culture.
5 of 24MuslimGirl/Amani
Amani created the fast-growing activism account @MuslimGirl, another one you should definitely follow. She has spoken across the world about Muslim women and posts everything from badass selfies to stats you need to know.
6 of 24Amber Amour
Amber created @CreatingConsentCulture which aims to educate people on rape culture and support rape and sexual assault survivors. She's also outspoken about racism and sex work, her feed will be endless many dinner party talking points.
7 of 24Amber Rose
You may only know Amber Rose as Kanye's ex, but think again. Amber is a sex positivity icon, with her own pocast 'Loveline with Amber Rose' up until 2018 that aimed to promote healthy sexual relationships and self-love. If you can get past the fact she advertised flat tummy tea once (fgs Amber), you'll love her feminism-filled feed.
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8 of 24Beverly Bond
Author of 'Black Girls Rock', Beverly's posts will have you both inspired and enraged, filled with commentary on everyday injustices.
9 of 24Bree Newsome
You may recognise Bree as the activist who took down the confederate flag from a flagpole outside the South Carolina Capitol building. She's continuing her activism with inspiring art you need to see.
10 of 24Cameron Russell
An american model who called out the fashion industry for sexual harassment and assault, she started the #MyJobShouldNotIncludeAbuse hashtag. Her instagram is full of inspiring stories and educational videos exposing different injustices within her industry and beyond.
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11 of 24Iskra Lawrence
If your not already following Iskra, your living under an Instagram rock. The body positive model started her own business, everyBODY with Iskra, to give health and fitness advice beyond just getting super skinny. You need her body posi vibes in your life.
12 of 24Jessamyn
Another super body positive account to follow, Jessamyn is a yoga teacher regularly posting about the emotional and physical benefits of body positivity and practicing yoga.
13 of 24Joanna Thangiah
Shun your timeline of filtered selfies and over exposed holiday destinations. It's time for some feminist, mental health aware art! This account is amazing for cute cartoons that say everything we're already feeling.
14 of 24Judy Reyes
You'll probably remember Judy as Carla from Scrubs, or one of the other thousand TV show she's been in throughout her insanely successful career. Unlike most Hollywood actors, her Insta is full of activism and news you need to know.
15 of 24Logan Browning
Activist and actor, Logan Browning is the lead of Netflix hit Dear White People. Posting powerful content and links to charities you can donate to so you can turn your online activism into action- she's a force to be reckoned with.
16 of 24Makers Women
MAKERS is a storytelling platform for women, posting quotes to keep you inspired throughout the day. Stay up to date with gender injustice, while also feeling hopeful with the powerful words these amazing women have to say.
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17 of 24Nimisha Bhanot
Another artist you need to follow, Nimisha creates amazing prints (which you can buy) critiquing societal perceptions of South Asian women. She's based in Canada, but these prints can brighten up your timeline anywhere.
18 of 24Muslim Girl
Muslim Girl, where 'muslim women talk back' is an account ran by Amani. Advocating for issues facing muslim women, both accounts are an inspiration and necessity on your feed.
19 of 24Project Consent
There's no time like the present to be educating people on consent. This account does exactly that, and gives you the perfect explanations, comebacks and reminders to throw out at a dinner party if the issue comes up.
20 of 24Rowan Blanchard
Gone are the days of Disney stars going off the rails, this actor and activist is a beacon of positivity- especially online. Fighting gender and race injustice and beyond, she's one to watch.
21 of 24Rupi Kaur
Rupi made headlines in 2015 when she posted pictures of her on Instagram with visible menstrual blood. Her posts were blocked by Instagram, causing backlash against the social media platform. She continues to break boundaries with her writing and poetry.
22 of 24Sophie King
This UK based embroidery artist is an up-and-coming star, embroidering feminist slogans onto everything from bras to roses. Bring her insta to life with her slogan t-shirts, or just stare at the pretty pictures, either way she's someone you should follow.
23 of 24The Vulva Gallery
Our favourite of all the accounts, the vulva gallery promotes self-love in an area SO often ignored. With two-thirds of women avoiding smear tests, life-saving procedures, because of the look of their vagina, it's time we stopped all of the self-loathing around genitals. Providing a regular reminder that all vaginas are beautiful, if you only follow one account of this list, it should be this one.
24 of 24Trash Is For Tossers
Lauren Singer lives an entirely waste-free life. Yes, you can actually do that. As #plasticfree takes over our news feed, it's time you had some daily advice on how exactly to reduce your waste. Save the planet!
Now, as our obsession with perfect, clear skin bypasses our obsession with contoured cheekbones, will we too fawn over the unblemished skin of 10-year-olds, whose teen years will only become that much more unbearable when their hormones inevitably add up acne and so equal Instagram annihilation?
Ultimately, that’s what this obsession does. It forces the normal kid, the normal adult even, to feel inadequate earlier and earlier in life. And all because we’re not all born with the same privilege that grants children of celebrities’ status symbol so early on in their lives. The obsession with being successful in your youth has always been a problematic force to make anyone without privilege, or even just those of us who don’t have it all figured out, feel incompetent. So, we can only ask this: can we not close that gap even further by obsessing over generation alpha?