Children as young as 7 are becoming avid users of social media, particularly the platform X (formerly known as Twitter) which is known for allowing misinformation and other possibly harmful content.
A study conducted by Qustodio found that 30 percent of 7-year-olds to 9-year-olds are already using X, which has had trouble with hate speech, pornography and disinformation.
Alex Laurie, SVP at IAM company Ping Identity, told Newsweek that Gen Alpha's use of X is both significant and complex.
"Unlike in previous generations where exposure to inappropriate content might have been accidental, today's sophisticated content algorithms actively push adult material into the feeds of young users," he said.
Based on experience with his son and his peers, Laurie said the content on X is confronting and often hidden within what seems like harmless content. This, he said, can range from sexually explicit content to hate speech and propaganda.
The Apps Through the Ages report also revealed that adult content now comprises 13 percent of all posts on X, possibly exposing young users to material they may not yet be ready to digest.
"These creators employ tactics akin to those used in psychological warfare to attract and retain the attention of young users, making it incredibly easy for them to be drawn into toxic environments," Laurie added.
The study categorizes children aged 7 to 9 as 'iPad kids' highlighting that 75 percent of American kids under 8 have access to a tablet at home, with nearly half (44 percent) owning one.
These young users predominantly engage with platforms such as YouTube and Netflix as their go-to sources of entertainment.
However, despite age restrictions, many of these children are beginning to explore social media platforms like X, Facebook and Reddit.
According to the report, social media apps begin to dominate the top 10 apps for children aged 10 to 12, overtaking more traditional entertainment platforms such as Netflix.
The research also found that mature content is easy to stumble upon on platforms like Reddit and X, where minimal restrictions allow young users to encounter material that is not suitable for their developmental stage—aligning too with Laurie's theory.
By the time they're early teens (13 to 15), Gen Alpha kids become 'all-tech rounders', with phone use becoming more solitary and less family-focused. At this age, phones are central to their social lives, used for everything from communication to entertainment, schoolwork and staying in touch with friends.
For boys in particular aged 13 to 15, the report highlighted the increasing influence of 'the manopshere', a network of online communities the report says promotes misogyny.
Laurie recognized that both boys and girls are having to grapple with unrealistic beauty standards propelled by the rise of influencer culture and neither gender is immune to body image issues.
"However, boys are facing additional challenges as they are more frequently exposed to content that normalizes bigotry, violence, and misogyny—content more prevalent on platforms like X," he said.
The early exposure Gen Alpha has to platforms such as X and TikTok, combined with the easy access to mature and harmful content raises significant concerns around social media's impact on children's mental health.
For parents who are concerned about their child's use of X, Laurie told Newsweek that the most important step is to normalize open and honest conversations about the content they may encounter on the platform.
"The content children are exposed to today is vastly different from what many parents encountered growing up, and so the way we approach these conversations must also evolve," he said.
Staying on top of trends, the latest apps and updates is also vital: "Parents must be fully aware of what their children can access online, making it even more important to stay connected with other parents with different insights and experiences. Sharing knowledge proactively is incredibly beneficial," Laurie added.
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