The implications of the technological developments in the media upon the Z and Alpha generations. An analysis in the context ofinterfamily relationships

Progress in communication technologies not only facilitates human life in many areas, it also increases the amount of leisure time and affects human relations and family relations. In today's world, technology and therefore the variety of communication forms are differentiating. As a result, serious differences are beginning to emerge in the communication between generations and communication initiatives. Family, which is the smallest building block of society and includes different generations, is affected by these changes when all these factors come together. This work focuses on the family relations of Z and Alpha Generations, who are considered digital generations in generation theories. The aim of this study is to better understand these two generations and to reveal the changes in communication and media usage styles in the short term from Generation Z to Alpha. For this reason, in this qualitative study, parents who have at least one child from both the Z and Alpha Generations were interviewed using the in-depth interview technique. With the questions asked in the interview, basic information was gathered on items such as how technological developments affect family relations, family leisure time, family relationships, habits of technology-based device usage, as well as the general characteristics of the children in the Alpha and Z Generations. The differences in the above-mentioned items, especially in the 2-7 age category of the Z and Alpha Generation children, will be revealed. As such, the developments during the childhood of the Alpha Generation will be investigated to shed a light on future developments. Keywords: Family Relationships, Leisure Time, Generation Z, Generation Alpha, Generation Theories, Digital Natives, Media Technologies