Brains On! Science podcast for kids What is a generation and why do we have them?
Feb 17, 2026
They explain what social generations are and how 15-year birth cohorts get their names. The show traces Baby Boomers through Generation X, Millennials, Gen Z and Alpha, highlighting cultural moments that shaped each group. Researchers discuss how tech and surveys reveal differences between cohorts. Kids pitch fun renaming ideas and a comic character invents a silly new generation name.
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Gen X: The Last Unified Pop Culture
- Gen X (born 1965–1979) got its label from rejecting traditional values and being called 'slackers' by others.
- They experienced a shared pop culture with TV, Saturday cartoons, and strong nostalgic ties.
Millennials Bridged Pre- and Post-Internet
- Millennials (born 1980–1994) grew up before smartphones but saw the internet and mobile tech reshape adulthood.
- They entered tough economies around adulthood, which affected their optimism and life choices.
Gen Z's Defining Features
- Gen Z (born 1995–2009) were the first to spend adolescence entirely with smartphones and social media.
- They are the most racially and ethnically diverse U.S. generation and value work-life balance.
