Technology Defines Each Social Generation

Our worldview is shaped by social generations. Every generation develops unique experiences, ideals, and technological advancements that define who they are. The earliest crackly voices on the radio are remembered by the Silent Generation. The enchantment of black-and-white television was a part of Baby Boomers' childhood. While Gen Z grew up in the age of smartphones and social media, Millennials saw the internet as a game-changer. Growing up with artificial intelligence, Generation Alpha speaks to digital assistants with the same ease that their grandparents did when they listened to the radio. These changes show how technology affects not just our daily lives but also our relationships, education, and storytelling. 

And this trip has some remarkable changes in the context of Nepal as well. From villages gathering around a radio to families navigating the AI-driven world, each leap forward has brought both challenges and opportunities. Let’s explore how these social generations in Nepal have adapted to these changes, shaping and being shaped by the tools of their time.

Arrival of radio

Radio first arrived in Nepal in the early 1950s, its crackly broadcasts drifting from Kathmandu into quiet villages that had never dreamed of such technology. Picture your great-grandmother, wrapped in a shawl, sitting by this new wooden box as voices climbed mountains and crossed rivers to reach her. That sense of wonder defined the Silent Generation (1928–1945). At first, some people worried that radio might hinder old routines and weaken cherished traditions. But over time, families discovered a new kind of closeness, gathering around that magical box for nightly news or narrative programmes. In a country where hills and valleys often kept communities apart, radio had the power to bridge vast distances and spark shared conversations.

By the time the Baby Boomers (1946–1964) grew up, black-and-white televisions began appearing in towns across Nepal. In 1984, Nepal Television started its test broadcasts, and the flickering images it showed were enough to draw entire neighbourhoods to one lucky home. Think of the cozy excitement as parents and children pulled up stools and mats, watching national dramas or comedy shows together. Some elders felt uneasy, muttering that television might spoil mealtime talks or drive youngsters away from schoolwork. Yet, the colourful world on the screen quickly became a staple in many households. Folks found themselves chatting about last night’s episode in the same way they once discussed news from the radio.

Generation X (1965–1980) got themselves in the age of personal computers. During the 1980s and early 1990s, the sound of computer fans reached offices, banks, and even a few schools. Young people learned the basics of word processing and played with programmes that felt light years ahead of anything they had ever known. VCRs also arrived, allowing families to rent cassettes of Bollywood or Kollywood hits and watch them at home instead of waiting for whatever the single TV channel decided to show. Parents worried that all these gadgets might rob children of fresh air and community festivals. But in practical terms, it meant families could share moments of fun on their own schedule, building new forms of connection. 

Millennials (1981–1996) experienced the dawn of the internet. Early dial-up connections were frustratingly slow, but they opened digital doorways that spanned continents. Students in major cities could log into chat rooms and speak with newly made friends half a world away. Mobile phones also shrank from bulky devices into something easy to slip into a pocket or a purse. Soon, the beep of text messages became part of daily life, whether you were a farmer somewhere south of country calling home or a shopkeeper in cities arranging delivery times. Parents, worried about too much screen time, sighed at the sight of teens tapping away on keypads. Yet, many saw how these tools also kept families in touch when distance or work pulled them apart.

Generation Z (1997–2012) grew up in a world where Wi-Fi and smartphones were as common as radios had been generations before. Social media took off, letting teenagers post snaps of momo nights and mountain treks for friends across the globe to see. The idea of “online presence” became a normal part of social life. Some saw this as liberating, others found it distracting, but the shift was undeniable. 

Digital assistants

Now, Generation Alpha (2013–2025) is being raised with artificial intelligence in their daily routine. They talk to digital assistants in the kitchen, attend online classes, and play with toys that learn from their commands. Their grandparents marvel at these changes, remembering when their own parents once marveled at a grainy radio broadcast. All these shifts, radio, TV, computers, mobile phones, and now AI; tell one story: each generation in Nepal has met new devices with excitement and concern.

Over time, these inventions have blended into the country’s cultural fabric, reshaping how people learn, work, and stay connected. Yet the essence remains the same. Families still gather, share stories, and pass on traditions. Technology is just another thread weaving us closer, even as it leads us into tomorrow. As we approach new technical advancements, human connection is still at the core of every technological advance. The tales we tell with them and the connections they enable us to make are just as important as the instruments we employ. From radios to artificial intelligence, every gadget carries the spirit of resiliency and the optimism for a better, more interconnected future.

(Khanal is an intern at The Rising Nepal.)