We used to think resilience was just "grit"—you know, the "walk it off" mentality our parents had. But in 2026, resilience looks a lot more like emotional regulation and the ability to pivot when things get "Ohio" (which, for the uninitiated, is kid-speak for weird, cringey, or just plain wrong).

Digital resilience is the ability to handle a lost save file, a toxic comment in a Roblox lobby, or the crushing weight of a social media algorithm without spiraling. It’s about teaching our kids that failure isn't a dead end; it's a game mechanic.

Ask our chatbot about how to explain "Canon Events" to your kids

Our kids are growing up in a world of "instant win" loops. TikTok and YouTube Shorts provide a hit of dopamine every 15 seconds. If a game is too hard, they can just swap to another one. This creates a low tolerance for frustration.

When we intentionally choose media that highlights struggle, we’re giving them a safe, low-stakes environment to practice feeling "the ick" of failure. If they can handle a Creeper blowing up their Minecraft house, they’re one step closer to handling a bad grade or a friendship rift.

Ages 3-7 If you aren't already watching Bluey, are you even parenting? But specifically, look for the episode "Bike." It is a masterclass in the growth mindset. Bluey is frustrated because she can't ride her bike, but the episode focuses on her friends struggling with their own tasks (putting on a backpack, getting a drink from a fountain). There’s no magical "win" at the end—just the satisfaction of trying again. It’s the perfect antidote to the "brain rot" of mindless sensory videos.

Ages 8+ The first movie was about sadness; the second is about the "Anxiety" of growing up. It introduces the idea that our "Sense of Self" is built from both our successes and our cringey mistakes. It’s a great way to talk about how even "bad" feelings have a purpose. If your kid is feeling the pressure to be "perfect" (a major resilience killer), this is required viewing. Read our guide on talking to kids about anxiety in Inside Out 2

Ages 7+ Minecraft is the ultimate resilience lab. You spend hours building something, and then a Creeper comes along and—boom—it’s gone. Or you fall into lava and lose all your diamond gear. That moment of "I want to quit forever" is where the parenting magic happens. Encourage them to take a breath and start over. That’s the "leveling up" mindset in action.

Ages 12+ This is for the older kids and the "hardcore" gamers. Hades is a "roguelike" game, which means you are supposed to die. Frequently. Every time you die, you go back to the beginning, but you keep your upgrades and the story progresses. It literally reframes death as progress. It’s one of the best tools for teaching that "failing" is just "collecting data."

Ages 8-12 Whether you read the book or see the movie, Roz the robot is a resilience icon. She’s dropped onto an island where she doesn't belong and has to adapt to survive. It’s a beautiful story about "social resilience"—learning how to fit in while staying true to yourself. It’s way more impactful than another "Skibidi Toilet" YouTube marathon.

At this age, frustration often leads to "tech tantrums." Use games like Toca Life World where there is no "winning" or "losing," just exploration. When they do play something with a challenge, stay close. Check out our guide on managing tech tantrums

This is the prime time for the "Canon Event" meme (from Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse). A "Canon Event" is a painful moment that must happen to turn you into the hero you’re supposed to be. When your kid fails a test or doesn't make the team, labeling it a "Canon Event" adds a layer of humor and perspective that makes the pain easier to process.

Teens are dealing with the "perfection" trap of social media. Encourage games that are notoriously difficult but fair, like Elden Ring (if they can handle the intensity) or strategic games like Catan. These require long-term thinking and the ability to lose gracefully.

We need to stop "snowplowing"—clearing every obstacle out of our kids' digital paths. If they never experience a "Game Over," they'll never learn how to hit "Continue."

Watch out for:

Learn more about the difference between healthy challenge and toxic gaming

Next time your kid is frustrated with a game or a show, try these prompts:

Resilience isn't something kids are born with; it’s a muscle they build. By choosing media that celebrates the "try and try again" spirit, we’re helping them prepare for a world that doesn't always have an "Easy Mode."

Whether they're rebuilding a base in Minecraft or navigating the social minefields of middle school, the goal is the same: teaching them that they have the "power-ups" within themselves to keep going.

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