New research reveals US teens' technology use, learning habits and higher ed expectations

In 2028, the first members of Generation Alpha will enter higher education. Born in 2010 - the year of the iPad and Instagram - they are the most digitally connected, technologically fluent, and AI-native generation in history.

Their arrival follows Generation Z, whose own expectations reshaped higher education over the past decade demands for flexibility, digital-first learning, and greater alignment between education and career outcomes. Where Gen Z introduced these expectations, Gen Alpha will amplify them.

Their formative years have been shaped by smartphones, short-form video, and artificial intelligence. They have grown up self-teaching on YouTube, relying on ChatGPT for quick answers, and expecting instant access to resources. As they transition into higher education, their expectations of technology and learning will be fundamentally different from those of previous generations.

This raises urgent questions for colleges and universities:

• How are Generation Alpha’s attitudes to learning shifting compared to their predecessors?
• What are their expectations around what, and how, they learn?
• And are institutions prepared to meet their demands for responsive, personalized, and technology-enabled education?

Why this research matters

The arrival of Generation Alpha represents a significant turning point for higher education. With nine in ten teenagers saying they want to pursue college, institutions face both an opportunity and a challenge: to deliver an experience that meets their expectations.

AppsAnywhere commissioned this research, in partnership with The Insights Family, to provide institutions with evidence-based insights into the expectations, behaviors, and concerns of Generation Alpha. For more than 15 years, AppsAnywhere has worked with hundreds of universities worldwide to remove barriers to student success. We recognize the strategic role of technology in shaping accessible, engaging, and future-ready learning environments.

As our CEO, Nick Johnson, notes: “This research highlights the importance of cross-sector collaboration and forward planning. Student populations are increasingly diverse, and technology has the potential to level the playing field and increase access to opportunities.”

Key findings

• AI is embedded in their learning: 73% use or plan to use AI tools; 2 in 5 already rely on ChatGPT to study. Gen Z experimented with AI at university; Gen Alpha will arrive already expecting it.
• A mobile-first generation: 85% own a phone; 52% use it for homework. Where Gen Z blurred study and social life, Gen Alpha will collapse them into a single mobile-first reality.
• Hybrid as the default model: 56% prefer hybrid learning; only 14% want a campus-only experience. Institutions must design with flexibility at the core.
• College still matters: 90% of respondents want to attend — more than double current U.S. enrollment — but affordability and relevance remain decisive barriers.
• Technology is seen as an enabler of learning: 93% already use at least one educational app, half use Chrome devices in school, and 94% believe technology supports different learning styles.
• Self-directed and skill-oriented: More than half can code or want to learn; one quarter are self-taught. They expect instant access to the tools and resources they need to learn anytime, anywhere.
• Digital submission is the norm: 55% are already submitting homework online, creating an expectation for seamless LMS platforms in higher education.
• Wellbeing and equity concerns persist: 72% worry about tech’s negative impacts (bullying, safety, screen time or privacy), and many rely on limited devices such as Chromebooks (49%) or phones (52%), experiencing equity gaps.

Strategic implications for Higher Education

To attract, engage, and retain Generation Alpha, institutions will need to:

• Prioritize mobile-first access across all digital services.
• Strengthen BYOD and device equity strategies, including loan programs, robust Wi-Fi, and support for multiple operating systems.
• Invest in hybrid-ready infrastructure so blended learning is standard, not optional.
• Integrate AI tools into learning platforms while equipping students and staff with skills for ethical and effective use.
• Support self-directed learners by curating educational apps, coding resources, and multimedia tools.
• Enhance digital submission and LMS platforms, ensuring reliability, intuitive design, and central access to all resources.
• Balance innovation with wellbeing, embedding mental health support and digital literacy into student services.
• Generation Alpha represents both a challenge and an opportunity for higher education. They are the first mobile-first, AI-native students, and the most optimistic about the value of college, provided that institutions can meet their expectations.

Universities that begin preparing now, through investment in infrastructure, pedagogy, and digital access, will be best positioned to thrive.

Generation Alpha are college-ready, but are colleges ready for them?

Read the full report to learn more.