What does excellent retail look like today, and what will it look like in the future? Retail expert Chris Walton delves into the industry’s rapidly evolving landscape, exploring the unstoppable rise of e-commerce, social media and AI, and the wider generational shifts reshaping the sector.

Chris Walton on the future of retail

Cinema chain Cinépolis has launched a ‘Junior Theater’ for kids, offering a space specifically designed to cater to their developmental needs. The move highlights a growing acknowledgment of children’s unique needs in public domains, paving the way for more empathetic societal design.

Kid-friendly cinema offers a third space for Gen Alphas

In partnership with a New York-based food bank, Robolox launched a game where young users can learn about hunger through play. By blending education and entertainment, it showcases how brands can innovate to reach new audiences to support meaningful causes while tackling real-world problems.

Robolox game donates IRL meals through virtual kitchen

American high schools are seeing ‘healthy masculinity’ clubs crop up as young men search for safe spaces to challenge stereotypes. In the face of growing gender divides, groups like these illustrate how people are taking proactive steps to care for their personal and communal identities.

Masculinity clubs at US schools offer community support

Despite widespread panic about the negative impacts of social media, experts stress that a balance of online help and offline connections is needed to help young Australians dealing with anxiety and stress amid limited care access. This is where Momentum comes in, with its free custom online sessions.

How Momentum uses digital culture to tackle youth anxiety

The rise of ‘brain rot’ in 2024 captures fears over the mental toll of trivial online content. Brands can capitalise on this moment by offering balanced, meaningful alternatives that cater to the growing demand for thoughtful escapism, standing out in a sea of digital chaos.





Prevalence of 'brain rot' highlights escapist desires

More Australians are supporting the under-16 social media ban just a few months after the government issued the announcement. As distrust towards the technology sector worsens, people are taking more drastic measures to protect themselves and their families from online harm.

Social media ban in Australia gains local support

Penguin Random House Canada has released an innovative web app designed to revolutionise children’s story time by creating immersive reading experiences. Emphasising the need for creative approaches to reading, it illustrates the critical role of engaging storytelling in children's development.

Penguin app helps kids explore the magic of reading

TikTok is placing age restrictions on some of its beauty filters to address concerns about how they impact the mental health of its teenage users. With young people feeling increased pressure to look perfect online, there’s a need for more open dialog to combat toxic beauty standards.

TikTok blocks beauty filters for teens' mental health 

Prestige beauty brands are standing out as desirable gifts for the holidays, according to a Circana report, especially in homes with Gen Alpha kids. These findings show that shopping habits are still being driven by desires for little luxuries amid economic challenges and social media inspiration.

Gen Alphas use beauty for 'little luxury' holiday gifts

With so much going on, it’s hard to keep track of endless shifts in relevance and  to make sense of whether something truly is era-defining. Our Best of Insights awards recognises 20 products, people and campaigns that broke through and mattered – and analyses how they did it. 

Who captured the zeitgeist in 2024? 

Korea’s Gen Zers and Alphas are snapping up smaller-sized cosmetics to affordably splurge on beauty and test new products before committing to them. As mini items flood an already oversaturated market, brands can lean into new, unique modes of personalisation that tiny product design facilitates.

Koreans buy mini make-up for low-cost experimentation

Although romance is a staple in much of today's teen media, young people are increasingly interested in stories that focus on friendship and platonic relationships. For them, building genuine connections and showcasing these authentic relationships in media narratives has become a priority.

Gen Z prefer on-screen tales of friendship, not romance

At The Benemart, Benefit Cosmetics’ virtual shopping experience, people can shop, game, and socialise simultaneously. Brands continue to offer initiatives that blend the physical and digital world to engage shoppers, while also incorporating gaming elements to appeal to younger generations.

Benefit Cosmetics launches virtual shopping experience

A strategic partnership between leading cycling brands in China marks a shift in the country's evolving bike market. As the adoption of cycling as an everyday mode of transport grows among families with young children, bikes focused less on play and more on performance are on the rise.

Partnership brings performance to young bikers in China

The Australian Government plans to ban social media for under-16s, citing physical and mental health risks. With social media consumption showing no signs of slowing globally and young people feeling deeply affected by platforms, there's a growing need for solutions to protect youth online.

Australia's under-16 social media ban sparks debate

America's political landscape is transforming rapidly, with the multiracial population growing from 3% to 10% since 2010. This shift, combined with digital platforms reshaping civic engagement, is creating more nuanced political dialog and challenging traditional assumptions about representation.

Political parties struggle as American identity blurs

Spriggy empowers Aussie kids to master money skills via gamified tools that make learning how to save and spend more fun. Targeting ages six to 17, it blends interactive lessons with real-world tasks. But it faces a key challenge: can it keep users safe and win parents' trust in the digital world?

Why Spriggy banks on practical play for Aussie Gen Alphas

Buddy.ai's virtual tutor offers lessons to children in English and other subjects. As parents look for innovative and accessible ways to help educate their kids at home, this app highlights how generative AI – which is quickly becoming a norm for younger generations – can lend a hand.

Buddy.ai gamifies everyday learning for young students

Gen Alpha is all about building, creating, and making things their own. No wonder they love to game – so much so that gaming is to Gen A what social media has been to Gen Z and Y. As this young generation grows, understanding how they see and use digital spaces will be key to capturing and maintaining their interest.

What does Gen Alpha want from gaming?

Schools in England and Wales are tackling absenteeism with innovative measures like therapy dogs, wellness centres, and personalised support systems. These methods aim to create supportive environments that address students' mental health, engage families, and make schools more inviting.

UK schools are luring pupils in with dogs and prizes

AI role-playing app Character.AI is facing a lawsuit after a teen user’s suicide. While chatbots could offer a solution to loneliness, they pose serious dangers in replacing human relationships, necessitating robust safeguards from tech companies to protect vulnerable users.

Character.AI lawsuit highlights risks of AI chatbots

To celebrate the launch of a premium kidswear range, H&M has launched an exclusive pop-up experience at Selfridges. It's just one example of how brands are tapping into playfulness and nostalgia to elevate shopping experiences and encourage a sense of discovery and adventure.

H&M taps Selfridges for immersive kidswear launch

The charity Girlguiding has unveiled a campaign highlighting gender stereotypes and AI's role in perpetuating some of them. With increased awareness of gender stereotypes in everyday life, the campaign looks to visually inspire girls, showing them that they can truly do anything.

Girlguiding ad challenges AI-enforced gender biases

As part of its Self-Esteem Project, Dove is joining hands with kids’ YouTube channel Blippi to promote a healthy body image among preschoolers. Gen Alpha’s beauty anxieties are taking root even before the tween years, and brands have an opportunity to instill body-positive attitudes from day one.

Dove taps Blippi to help Gen Alpha build body confidence

To celebrate the Indian Festival of Lights, Mattel has introduced its first-ever Barbie Diwali doll. The brand continues to fulfil an essential role in enhancing playtime for children by blending creative play with real-world education and cultural representation in each new toy release.

Diwali Barbie shows need for diverse representation

Asda has partnered with Colgate to provide free dental kits to schools in some of the most deprived areas of the UK, providing support to kids who face barriers to accessing dental care. It's an example of how brands are taking greater action to tackle health inequities in underserved communities. 

Asda and Colgate promote dental health in schools

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has tapped Megan Thee Stallion for a youth suicide prevention campaign. The move highlights the need for accessible, youth-focused health resources and the importance of creating safe spaces for open conversations about mental wellbeing.

Megan Thee Stallion campaign tackles youth suicide

France is trialling a complete phone ban in 180 middle schools, potentially extending the scheme nationwide in 2025, aiming to foster a healthier learning enviornment. As screen time becomes a widespread concern, parents are seeking ways to keep their kids off smartphones as much as possible.

France bans devices from schools to limit screen time

Netflix's foray into gaming capitalizes on the demand for affordable escapism and social connection. By leveraging familiar IPs and nostalgia, the streaming giant is transforming passive viewers into active players – but can it create a truly social gaming experience for its massive subscriber base?

How Netflix elevates fandom through immersive gaming

The Sims' Tiny Town Challenge trend features eight Sims with unique skills living together. It balances individuality with community to appeal to young people's desire for personalisation and belonging, harnessing the medium of gaming to help players feel understood and catered to.

Tiny Town Challenge taps desire for personal community

How are people future-proofing their employment? What kind of support do parents need to prepare Gen Alpha for their career journeys? How is anti-work sentiment shaping better office environments? And what do employees want from gender equity measures?

Careers Sector Snapshot: October 2024

The stock of gaming platform Roblox has fallen in light of allegations that it has not done enough to protect children using it. With Gen Z and Gen Alpha spending more time per day on Roblox than any other platform, their safety hinges on how Roblox responds to these accusations.

Roblox stock falls amid safety lapse allegations

For Gen Alphas, skateboarding isn’t just a sport – it’s a chance to build community, channel creativity, and express oneself. As more children and teens turn to skateboarding as both a way to stay active and a wider lifestyle, what does this say about the connections young people form with sport?

Who are the Gen Alpha skateboarders?

Single-child households and "Very Important Babies" are on the rise in South Korea. Their parents are keen for their offspring to keep up appearances at school and out and about, with must-have luxury items fast becoming signifiers of not just individual prosperity but successful parenting.

Child luxury: a new status for parenting in South Korea

Instagram has recently launched 'Teen Accounts' to offer a safer, more supervised app experience. As Gen Z and Gen Alpha continue to grapple with mental health exacerbated by social media, Big Tech is facing intense scrutiny from the government and parents alike to protect younger users.

Instagram's 'Teen Accounts' put parents in control

While Gen Alpha has witnessed their parents interact and address global issues, they instead are looking to prioritise local and personal matters. Therefore, younger kids are looking to brands to support the challenges facing their communities instead of broader global problems.

Gen Alpha are prioritising local concerns over global

Fruittella Brazil launched a sun-activated storybook, Lá Fora É Mais Legal, encouraging kids to play outside by revealing stories only in sunlight. This initiative highlights the importance of outdoor play in reducing the effects of excessive screen time often faced by digital native Gen Alphas.

Fruittella's sun-activating book promotes outdoor play

Zara has announced plans to launch its pre-owned platform in the US after running in 16 European countries. As the shift towards circularity gains traction, people expect brands to support their eco-values by encouraging convenient ways to repair, reuse, and extend the life cycle of garments.

Zara bolsters eco-efforts with pre-owned expansion

Gen Alpha is facing greater barriers to play than Baby Boomers once did, threatening the development of creative and social skills, confidence, communication, and friendship-building. To address this, LEGO is looking to create safe play spaces by redefining the use of art galleries. 




LEGO transforms art gallery to inspire creative play

Some Gen Alpha kids are taking a stand against overconsumption – and dragging their parents along for the ride. With the climate crisis in mind, Alphas’ green expectations are impacting their parents’ purchasing choices, pushing brands to pursue sustainability in all offerings.

Kids are discouraging their parents from overconsumption

Back-to-schoolers are booking 5 am natural glam makeup appointments for the first day of school. As teenagers and Gen Alpha increasingly spend on beauty products, this trend raises concerns about their priorities on aesthetics, driven by social media's influence on their self-image.

Teens are hiring back-to-school makeup artists

Dove has teamed up with tennis star Venus Williams to launch the brand’s first-ever beauty bar collaboration. As more women and girls engage in sports participation and fandom, brands have the opportunity to showcase their dedication by breaking down entry barriers through meaningful partnerships.

Dove taps Venus Williams to help girls stay in sports

A survey by The Conversation revealed significant gaps in menstrual health literacy among teenage girls in Western Australia. Even with education on sexual health, many students lack basic knowledge about the menstrual cycle, highlighting the inadequacy of current educational programs.

Aussie teenage girls have low menstrual health literacy

A significant amount of American LGBTQ+ students attend schools with policies that actively discriminate against them, according to a new study. Despite growing acceptance of LGBTQ+ lifestyles, many young people still face official discrimination as culture war issues continue to deepen.

LGBTQ+ students face increasing discrimination at school

The charitable organization has commenced its annual Game to Change the World campaign aimed at Gen Alpha fundraisers. Gaming has become a pivotal tool in Gen Alpha’s sense-making practices, and young audiences will be expecting more than just immersion when it comes to virtual activations.

Comic Relief US nurtures Gen Alpha changemakers

Cetaphil has launched the Gentle Exfoliating collection, which addresses the specific needs of 'Gen Zalpha' who want to exfoliate but have sensitive skin. As interest in skincare grows, brands are catering to Gen Z and Alpha by providing age-appropriate products and greater education about safety.

Cetaphil launches skincare line catered for Gen Zalpha

Will universities survive the move away from traditional education? Will unequal technological upskilling perpetuate polarisation? In this part of the 2025 Expert Outlook, we speak to three experts about the rapidly changing state of play in the careers sector.

2025 Expert Outlook on Careers

Penguin has unveiled a book vending machine for students in Scotland. Spotlighting diverse writers like Salman Rushdie and Toni Morrison, the initiative ensures young readers can access and appreciate diverse narratives, pushing a shift towards a more representative literary landscape in the UK.

Book vending machine boosts diverse education in the UK

Netflix has partnered with Google to introduce shoppable features and ads to promote season 4 of Emily in Paris. The collaboration highlights the importance of directly engaging with superfans through innovative and exclusive offerings that help to further immerse them in their favorite worlds.

Netflix x Google offer fans immersive retail experience

Stores selling animation and gaming merchandise are gaining popularity among Chinese youth as places to connect with like-minded peers. With fandoms providing a crucial source of community building among Gen Z, ‘Guzi’ stores are generating appeal by creating moments of connection and belonging.

‘Guzi’ stores offer community retail for Chinese youth

M&S’s back-to-school campaign, ‘School Happens,’ captures the everyday chaos of school life. By focusing on the durability of its uniforms, M&S taps into parents’ focus on quality and value, offering a relatable take on what kids – and their clothing – really go through during the school year.

M&S shows durability and value in back to school spot

Research has found that most infant and toddler foods sold in Australia fail to meet the WHO’s nutritional standards. As young parents have to navigate an overwhelming information landscape, brand credibility and trust will factor into their purchase decisions more saliently than ever.

Aussie parents faced with misinformation on baby food

The blockchain is changing gaming through non-fungible tokens, play-to-earn models, and decentralised development. As this new paradigm shifts control from developers to players, what’s behind the rise of blockchain gaming? And what opportunities lie in integrating games and Web3 transactions?

What's behind the rise of blockchain gaming?

An emerging wave of content creators is drawing attention to ‘unschooling’, a flexible education system that rejects the standard syllabus. After significant pandemic learning losses, Gen Alpha's education remains a topic of concern, and parents are seeking alternative learning methods.  

‘Unschooling’ influencers promote flexible learning

Spotify has launched a new campaign showcasing the universal appeal of music across age groups. The campaign challenges generational divides and highlights how musical tastes transcend age, promoting understanding and connection between generations when they're otherwise increasingly divided.


Spotify challenges generation gap in new campaign

Videos of Gen Y parents hilariously struggling to converse in Gen Alpha lingo are making the rounds online. As younger generations’ niche slang enter the mainstream, there’s an opportunity for brands to play the role of translator and help parents bridge the gap in understanding.

Gen Alpha slang is impacting parent-child dynamics

Young men and boys are feeling left behind in societal conversations while grappling with what it means ‘to be a man’ today. To understand the challenges they’re facing, Canvas8 spoke to journalist Ruth Whippman about what can be done to foster inclusive and supportive conversations for their development.

Ruth Whippman on the challenge of impossible masculinity

Warner Bros., Roblox, and Fandango have teamed up to launch a virtual box office for the upcoming Beetlejuice sequel inside of the online gaming platform. Brands are moving onto gamified platforms to reach younger audiences, providing shopping experiences that bring together the physical and virtual.

Warner Bros. taps Roblox to reach new Beetlejuice fans

The British Show Pony Society has pledged its commitment to support hobby horsing, a rising sport popularised in Finland and gaining traction among the youth. The initiative highlights the power of subcultures in connecting people through shared interests and emphasises the joyful aspects of sports.

Hobby horsing entices Gen Alpha sports buffs

With the cost of childcare stretching holiday budgets, many British parents are having to rethink traditional summer fun and find alternative ways of getting a break. With financial challenges for parents ongoing, brands have an opportunity to rewrite traditional rituals with cost front of mind.

UK parents rethink summer fun amid high living costs

Primark is freezing prices for select back-to-school basics at 2021 levels to help parents with the financial challenges they face at the start of term. With people looking for tangible support during the cost of living crisis, price freezes are a smart strategy for brands to show they care.

Primark is freezing back-to-school prices at 2021 levels

Indianapolis Public Schools will support US parents with Back to School Nights, a space to meet teachers and pick up school supplies. The move recognizes how urgent it is to support caregivers from underserved communities, alleviate financial burdens, and ease overstretched wallets.

IPS Back to School Nights support stretched parents 

K-beauty brand TIRTIR has teamed up with the hit anime series Oshi no Ko to release a limited-edition make-up collection. As Japanese youths take superfan culture to the next level, IP-centric engagement and immersion will be the way forward when it comes to driving resonance with this audience.

TIRTIR lures Japan’s superfans with Oshi no Ko collab

Mattel and the American Foundation for the Blind have launched the first-ever Blind Barbie. The doll features elements that represent low-vision and blind people, appealing to demands for better representation on toy store aisles and promoting more empathetic play.

Blind Barbie increases representation in toy aisles

After witnessing older generations being let down by traditional career paths and ideas of success, Gen Alphas feel more inclined to pursue their dreams. To support them, Yeo’s campaign draws on the motivational stories of three local teens who chose to stick to their own passions.




Yeo’s campaign taps into Gen Alpha’s career aspirations

At the CBeebies Rainbow Adventure in Westfield London, youngsters are transported into the world of their favourite characters during a theatrical playtime experience. As Gen Alpha grow up, there's an appetite for IRL immersive experiences that extend engagement with their favourite shows.

CBeebies Rainbow Adventure puts Gen Alpha in fandom worlds

The 2024-2025 Generational Snapshot of Gen Alpha explores the rise of ‘phygital’ play, how gaming has created an innovative space for socialising and creativity, what it means to be an AI native, and how this cohort is articulating their unique mental health challenges.

2024-2025 Generational Snapshot of Gen Alpha

A wave of Olympic athletes are appearing on TikTok with sponsored fashion hauls courtesy of brands like Nike, Ralph Lauren, and Skims. The videos are courting a new generation of social-first sports fans who have come to view sports fandom within broader entertainment terms.

Influencer Olympians unbox sponsored gear on TikTok

Pixar’s Inside Out 2 has become the highest-grossing animated film worldwide. The film, which tackles adolescence and complex emotions, has resonated with viewers of all ages, highlighting an opportunity for brands to bridge generational divides and appeal to kidulting attitudes.

Inside Out 2 soars with relatable narrative of teen angst

Teen boys are embracing perms, adding texture and volume for a 'broccoli haircut' look. Initially met with skepticism and humor online, the trend has gained acceptance, reflecting a shift in masculinity norms by allowing boys to explore new hairstyles and self-expression.

Gen Z boys are embracing 'broccoli haircuts' 

HMD, Nokia's brand owner, is developing a child-friendly phone with internet capabilities but no social media access. With parents' concerns growing over the negative impact of smartphones on their children's development, brands are offering a more nuanced approach to safeguarding kids online.

New smartphone for kids has internet but no TikTok 

The US economy may be performing well, but at a more domestic level, many families continue to feel financial strain. With the pressure of back-to-school purchasing heating up, Dollar General has rolled out generous discounts on a range of its products designed for both pupils and teachers.

Dollar General relieves back-to-school shopping anxiety

As inflation keeps people mindful of their budgets, parents are struggling to take kids on holidays during summer vacation. To help kids have a memorable school break, Cadbury Flake – forever associated with summer fun – has launched an initiative to take families to the seaside for free.

Cadbury Flake helps kids make the most of summer break

Monzo is launching a new account for children aged under 16, which will let them set savings goals and organise money. With British parents increasingly looking for ways to safeguard their children's financial futures, the move looks to help Gen Alphas find their financial footing.

Monzo announces new bank accounts for Gen Alphas

Vans has launched Vans World 2.0, a new iteration of its successful Roblox game, which includes a digital-first launch of the Mixxa sneakers. In addition to a sense of exclusivity, the move caters to younger generations' desire for immersive and interactive experiences.

Vans World 2.0 brings sneaker exclusivity to Roblox

Ongoing inflationary pressures are set to dampen back-to-school spending in the US as parents take a restrained approach to consumption ahead of the new school year. Families are prioritizing value, and they look to brands that can help ease the pressure of back-to-school spending.

Financial strain squeezes US back-to-school spending

While Sephora teens – predominantly young girls – have been taking over online conversations around skincare and beauty, teenage boys are increasingly developing their own regimens. This new interest is part of broader shifts in notions of masculinity that are set to transform the beauty market.

Teen boys are making investments into beauty regimes 

Eton has joined a growing number of UK schools in banning smartphones for incoming students. The move aims to mitigate the negative impacts of smartphones, such as sleep deprivation, cyberbullying, low self-esteem, and anxiety, while also safeguarding adolescents and supporting focus in class.

Eton bans smartphones in a bid to protect students

Educational inclusivity is struggling to keep up with language shifts in a globalized world. Targeting language barriers, Timekettle rolled out AI-powered earbuds that translate taught content live for Texan school children whose levels of English proficiency prevent them from understanding it.

Timekettle leverages AI to push for school inclusivity 

Ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics, NBC is partnering with social media platforms to enhance coverage through creators and influencers. Recognizing the shift towards unfiltered, relatable content, NBC seeks to engage younger audiences with intimate, behind-the-scenes access to athletes.

NBC taps creators to improve Olympics coverage

Gen Alphas were born into an already-digitized world and are expected to spend more time online than any generation before them. As they gear up to go back to school amid ongoing cost of living pressures, what factors are likely to influence the types of stationery they buy?

What do Gen Alphas want from the stationery they buy?

Research from Coop and the University of York offers a glimpse at what might be on British dinner tables by 2054 – lab-grown burgers and cricket salads. As the world grapples with the challenges of sustainable food production, the research offers a glimpse into the future of our diets.

Insects and lab-grown are the future of British cuisine

The British Heart Foundation has launched a campaign to commemorate 12 young football fans who died from heart disease. The work marks a broader initiative to emphasise the need for heart research funding by spotlighting the unfulfilled dreams and aspirations of those affected.

BHF mural campaign commemorates young football fans

UN Women’s Child Wedding Cards campaign has won the Health Grand Prix for Good at Cannes Lions. Aiming to inspire lawmakers in Pakistan to move the minimum age of marriage to 18, the organisation leans into radical transparency and emotive imagery to demand change from policymakers.

UN Child Wedding Cards make waves at Cannes Lions

The back-to-school shop puts both financial and emotional pressure on cash-strapped busy families during the summer months as household bills loom large. With the cost-of-living crisis in full swing, what can brands do to help parents and carers smooth the experience of this essential shop?

What do parents want from back-to-school shopping?

Dutch telecoms company KPN – in partnership with Dentsu Creative Amsterdam – has won the Creative Strategy Grand Prix at Cannes Lions. The company has achieved widespread success in educating young people on the harm that the online sharing of intimate photos can enact on people’s lives.

KPN wins at Cannes Lions with 'A Piece of Me' campaign

Le Creuset and Pokémon have collaborated on a limited-edition crockery set that appeals to growing nostalgia and kidulting behaviours. The raft of nostalgia-tinted collaborations seeks to intensify niche fandoms and build deeper relationships with brands beyond the products.

Le Creuset x Pokémon crockery appeals to kidulting ideals

In Africa, there’s a desire to adopt digital literacy and improve technical skills to keep up with the rising demand for tech jobs. By offering innovative educational solutions, platforms such as AltSchool Africa are closing the digital skills gap and equipping Africa’s workforce for the future.

How AltSchool impacts digital education in Africa

Crayola’s campaign invites older adults and parents to harness the power of creativity. At a time when people expect care and emotional intelligence from brands, there's an opportunity to appeal to consumers by encouraging empathy and joyfulness in communications strategies.

Crayola celebrates artistic expression for all ages

Pharrell Williams’ upcoming biopic is a LEGO animation that highlights his career trajectory – from a young child to a legendary music star. By blending the playfulness of animation with powerful storytelling, the film appeals to people’s desire for authentic, innovative media experiences.

Pharrell Williams’ LEGO biopic taps nostalgic fans

For its 65th anniversary, Barbie is celebrating the hard work and dedication of female athletes who have forged dynamic careers. With sports fandom burgeoning among women, brands can spotlight disparity in access by tapping into representative storytelling to resonate with their audiences.

Barbie’s latest campaign honors female athletes 

Lenovo has powered a thought-provoking social experiment seeking to bridge the gap between Gen Z’s digital and physical identities. Amid deepening concerns around youth mental health, the project outlines the value of exploring smart technologies as tools for advancing emotional wellbeing.

Lenovo uses AI to connect Gen Z to their digital selves

The popular manga Haikyu! has been transformed into an anime and now a feature film. But this series doesn't exist in isolation among otakus and weebs – it's fostering new volleyball fans and players who are inspired by the show's emphasis on friendship and overcoming obstacles.

Manga inspires young fans to become involved in sports

A group of kids from Ireland have gone viral thanks to their energetic rap video. The reactions to the song have overwhelmingly mentioned the joyfulness it brings, highlighting a growing need for small moments of happiness as people try to traverse today’s challenging climate.

Young Irish rappers’ music video brings joy to many

Chanel has partnered with Martin Scorsese on an ad campaign for Bleu de Chanel, launching Timothée Chalamet as a spokesperson for the iconic scent. As Gen Z pivots towards small luxuries as a way to express status and identity, fragrance is seeing a surge in popularity among young shoppers. 

Chanel collab targets a new wave of fragrance fanatics

The 2024 Generational Snapshot of Gen Alpha in the APAC region looks into how the youngest generation values accelerated satisfaction, the role of representation and corporate responsibility in technological innovations, and finding solace in virtual worlds through gaming.

2024 APAC Gen Alpha Snapshot

A California bill aiming to place age restrictions on anti-aging products has failed to move forward. As Gen Alphas delve into the world of skincare, they're being exposed to damaging products that should be reserved for adults – making protective action urgent and imperative for beauty brands.

California fails to implement skincare age restrictions 

Male nannies are gaining popularity, marking a positive shift in caregiving dynamics and providing valuable role models for children. However, they often confront harmful stereotypes perpetuated by both toxic influencers and traditional societal norms about masculinity.

Male nannies are being hired as positive role models

Gen Alphas have high levels of eco knowledge, and over half are at least somewhat hopeful for what the future holds. To equip future generations with green skills, Dutch coffee company De Koffiejongens has invited kids to its Board of Little Directors to get them involved in eco workshops.

Coffee company hires kids for Board of Little Directors

How do Gen Alphas think and act as citizens and consumers? Canvas8’s expert insights offer a view into the behaviours of this influential generation.

Gen Alpha (born 2011-present)