Abstract

Generation Alpha is experiencing a unique environment where inherited culture and digital life are deeply connected. In the Indian context, young people often come across their cultural identity through family traditions, language, festivals, regional customs, and the values of their community. At the same time, they are shaped by social media, gaming, global visual trends, and new forms of expression that are emerging with technology. In this paper, I try to look at how older members of Gen Alpha, especially those between 14 and 16 years old, make sense of and navigate their cultural heritage within these overlapping spaces. This study takes an exploratory and qualitative approach, mainly based on reviewing existing literature and observing current trends in social media and digital culture. I have focused on bringing together research that looks at digital identity, the influence of family, how culture is passed on, participation in heritage, and the ways young people express themselves. Secondary reports and observations have also helped to build a clearer picture of the present landscape. From the findings, it seems that cultural identity is now shaped more by context, even as family and community still play a strong role. Heritage is no longer just passed down in one direction; instead, it is becoming something that young people participate in, adapt, and reinterpret for themselves. Looking at these patterns, I have tried to outline a Heritage-Self Negotiation Framework, which moves through five stages: cultural encounter, personal meaning, negotiation, self-expression, and cultural continuity. In this journey, heritage can be inherited, identified with, adapted, mixed with other influences, or sometimes even kept at a distance. It is also important to notice the difference between how visible a cultural symbol is and what it actually means to someone. Sometimes, a symbol can be everywhere online but may not have much personal meaning, while other practices that are less visible can still carry deep emotional value. So, I believe that keeping culture alive is not just about holding on to traditions, but also about allowing young people the space to understand, question, and find their own meaning in what they inherit.