TL;DR: With Stranger Things officially in the rearview mirror (can we talk about that finale?!), Caleb McLaughlin is moving from Hawkins hero to a real-world digital wellness advocate. His new animated movie GOAT hits theaters next month (Feb 13, 2026), but the real story for parents is his recent "spiritual reset"—including deleting Instagram and speaking out about the "worldly noise" of social media.
We’ve basically watched Caleb McLaughlin grow up. He was just a 14-year-old kid in a trucker hat when we first met Lucas Sinclair back in 2016. Now, in early 2026, he’s 24 years old and doing something most Gen Z stars wouldn't dream of: he’s actively stepping away from the digital spotlight to protect his head and his heart.
As the Stranger Things era ends, Caleb is becoming a fascinating case study in how to navigate massive fame without losing your soul to the algorithm. For those of us trying to help our own kids manage the "brain rot" of endless scrolling, Caleb’s recent moves offer some actually useful talking points.
Earlier this month, Caleb made headlines for a "social media fast" that went beyond just a weekend break. He’s been vocal in recent interviews about deleting Instagram and X to reconnect with his faith and his family.
He’s called social media "worldly desires" and "noise," noting that he realized he knew more about his character, Lucas, than he did about himself. It’s a heavy realization for a guy with millions of followers, but it’s a great entry point for a conversation with your teen.
Check out our guide on how to talk to your teen about social media fasts
"Be Your Biggest Fan" (BYBF)
Caleb’s personal mantra is "Be Your Biggest Fan." While it sounds like a catchy TikTok slogan, he actually uses it to talk about self-love in the face of online hate. He’s been open about the racism he faced from the fandom early on—people literally skipping his line at Comic-Con because he was the "Black kid" on the show.
Instead of letting the comment sections define him, he leaned into his faith and his own self-worth. It’s a "digital wellness" strategy that isn't about apps or screen time limits, but about building an internal identity that doesn't need "likes" to feel valid.
If your kids are mourning the end of Stranger Things, they won't have to wait long to see (or hear) him again. Caleb is voicing the lead in Sony’s big 2026 animated release, GOAT.
The Vibe: It’s an animated sports comedy about a literal goat named Will (voiced by Caleb) who wants to play "Roarball," a high-intensity sport usually reserved for apex predators. The Hook: It’s produced by Steph Curry, so expect a lot of "smalls can ball" underdog energy. Parental Verdict: It’s rated PG. From what we’ve seen in the trailers, it’s a safe, high-energy pick for the 6-12 crowd, but it’s got enough wit (and a voice cast including David Harbour and Gabrielle Union) that you won't want to claw your eyes out during the Saturday matinee.
Ask our chatbot for more movies like GOAT for your sports-obsessed kid
If you want to see his range beyond the Upside Down, here’s where to point your kids:
Ages 14+ This is a gritty, beautiful film about the real-life urban cowboys in North Philadelphia. Caleb plays a troubled teen sent to live with his estranged father (Idris Elba). It deals with some heavy themes—poverty, crime, and systemic issues—but it’s a stellar performance.
Ages 15+ A more recent, bold, and somewhat controversial take on a biblical-era story. Caleb has a supporting role here, and it aligns with his interest in exploring faith-adjacent themes in his work.
Ages 12+ This documentary just dropped on Netflix (Jan 12, 2026). It’s a nostalgic look at the kids growing up on set. If your middle schooler is obsessed with "behind the scenes" content, this is a much better use of their time than YouTube "tea" channels.
- For the Littles (Ages 5-9): Stick to GOAT when it hits theaters. They likely aren't ready for the horror elements of Stranger Things yet, and that’s okay.
- For the Middle Schoolers (Ages 10-13): They’ve probably already binged the Stranger Things finale. This is a great time to talk about Caleb’s "digital fast." Ask them: "Do you think you could delete TikTok for a month to 'reset' like Caleb did?" (Expect an eye-roll, but the seed is planted.)
- For the Teens (Ages 14+): Focus on the "BYBF" philosophy. In a world of Instagram filters and curated lives, Caleb’s insistence on being "religious, not just spiritual" and staying grounded in real-world community is a rare, healthy example of celebrity influence.
Learn more about the impact of celebrity culture on teen mental health
Caleb is leaning hard into his Christian faith right now. In 2026, he’s been very clear: "I’m not just spiritual, I’m religious."
Regardless of your family’s specific beliefs, there’s a digital wellness lesson here. He’s using his faith as a "firewall" against the toxicity of the internet. He’s replaced scrolling with prayer and church community. For parents, the takeaway isn't necessarily the theology, but the replacement strategy. You can't just tell a kid to "get off their phone"—you have to give them something more compelling to do with their soul.
Caleb McLaughlin is the rare "child star" who seems to be coming out the other side of a decade-long hype machine with his head on straight. By choosing to voice a fun, PG underdog in GOAT while simultaneously logging off the toxic parts of the internet, he’s modeling the kind of "deliberate digital life" we talk about here at Screenwise.
He’s proving that you can be the "Greatest of All Time" in your field without letting the internet own your identity. And honestly? That’s a much cooler superpower than anything they cooked up in a lab in Hawkins.
- Plan a family movie night for GOAT next month.
- Watch the Stranger Things 5 Documentary with your teen and talk about how much the actors have changed.
- Discuss the "Reset": Use Caleb’s recent social media exit to audit your own family’s app usage.
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