Parenting Must Evolve for Gen Z and Gen Alpha, Says Dr. Ekrah Ndung’u

Parents must rethink traditional parenting approaches to effectively raise children in today’s fast-changing digital world, Dr. Ekrah Ndung’u, National Chairperson of the Kenya National Association of Private Colleges, said during a prize-giving ceremony at Parklands Baptist School.

Speaking as the chief guest at the event, Dr. Ekrah emphasized that raising Generation Z and Generation Alpha requires parents to “unlearn” outdated methods and embrace new, adaptive strategies grounded in understanding the modern child’s environment.

“We have to forget everything we knew about parenting from our parents first,” she said, noting that today’s children are growing up in a vastly different, technology-driven world.

Embracing Reverse Mentorship

In a striking shift from conventional norms, Dr. Ekrah encouraged parents to adopt “reverse mentorship,” where they learn directly from their children about trends, communication styles, and digital behaviors.

She shared that before speaking to students, she consults her own children to better understand their world — even compensating them for their insights to instill the value of knowledge as a form of consultancy.

Guiding Children in the Digital Age

Highlighting the realities of raising digital natives, Dr. Ekrah urged parents not to deny children access to gadgets, but instead to guide them in navigating the digital space responsibly. She outlined key areas parents should focus on:

• Teaching ethics in a digital world

• Raising awareness about digital addiction

• Promoting privacy in an increasingly open online environment

• Encouraging digital and mental health awareness

• Reinforcing the importance of real human interaction

The Role of Parents in Shaping Character

Dr. Ekrah underscored that while schools play a role in education, the foundation of a child’s character is built at home.

“School only shapes what the parent has instilled in a child,” she said, calling for increased parental engagement.

She encouraged parents to:

• Listen and reason more with their children

• Teach effective communication over emotional suppression

• Instill responsibility, including apologizing when wrong

• Reinforce respect, organization, and etiquette

• Discourage gossip and toxic behavior among peers

Values and Faith Still Matter

Beyond digital and social skills, Dr. Ekrah stressed the enduring importance of faith in raising grounded individuals. Drawing from biblical teachings, she referenced how Timothy was shaped by the faith of his family, highlighting the role parents play in spiritual development.

A Call to Modern Parenting

Her address resonated strongly with parents and educators in attendance, many of whom acknowledged the growing challenges of raising children in a digital-first society.

As the ceremony concluded, Dr. Ekrah left parents with a clear message: adapting to the needs of today’s children is not optional — it is essential.

“Gen Alpha is too brilliant for us,” she said. “We must listen more, learn more, and parent better.”