TL;DR: Noah Schnapp is no longer just the kid lost in the Upside Down. As of 2026, he’s a 21-year-old mogul navigating the transition from Stranger Things icon to serious entrepreneur with his brand TBH. While your kids likely love him for his TikTok presence and his role as Will Byers, he’s also been at the center of some heavy political and social "cancel culture" moments that provide a perfect opening for talks about digital footprints.
Quick Links:
- Stranger Things (Netflix) - The flagship show that started it all.
- The Peanuts Movie - Noah voiced Charlie Brown (great for younger siblings).
- Hubie Halloween - A goofy, low-stakes Adam Sandler flick he appears in.
- TikTok - Where your kids are seeing his "day in the life" content.
If you feel like you’ve watched Noah Schnapp grow up alongside your own kids, you aren't wrong. We first met him in 2016 as the fragile, bowl-cut-wearing Will Byers. Fast forward to today, February 23, 2026, and the Stranger Things era has officially transitioned into the "Noah Schnapp: Business Mogul" era.
For our kids (especially those in the 12-18 range), Noah is a "relatable" A-list celebrity. He went to college (UPenn), he posts unpolished TikTok videos, and he’s been remarkably open about his personal life—including coming out as gay in 2023, which was a massive moment for Gen Z representation in media.
But being a fan of Noah in 2026 is different than it was five years ago. It involves navigating brand deals, political controversies, and the reality of a child star becoming an adult with his own (sometimes polarizing) opinions.
Noah has mastered the "BFF" vibe on social media. Unlike older Hollywood stars who keep a curated distance, Noah’s Instagram and TikTok feel like a FaceTime call with a friend.
- The Underdog Connection: For years, Will Byers was the character everyone wanted to protect. That protective instinct from the fanbase transferred to Noah himself.
- Entrepreneurial Hustle: Kids today don't just want to be actors; they want to be founders. Noah’s hazelnut spread brand, TBH (To Be Honest), tapped into the "clean label" trend that many Gen Z and Gen Alpha kids care about. It’s the "healthier Nutella," and it’s a case study in how modern celebrities use their platform to sell products directly to your pantry.
- Authenticity (and the Messiness of it): He doesn't always get it right. He’s been "canceled" and "un-canceled" more times than a Netflix series. To kids, this makes him feel "real" compared to a PR-scrubbed Disney star.
You might have seen jars of TBH appearing in your grocery cart. Noah launched this brand to offer a vegan, palm-oil-free alternative to Nutella. From a digital wellness and media literacy perspective, this is a great moment to talk to your kids about influencer brands.
Is the spread good? Honestly, yeah, it's decent. But is your kid asking for it because they care about palm oil, or because Noah Schnapp told them to buy it on TikTok? Understanding the difference between a quality product and a celebrity cash-grab is a vital skill for 2026.
Learn more about influencer marketing and kids
If your teen suddenly stopped following Noah or started defending him in the comments, it’s likely due to one of two things that defined his public persona over the last couple of years:
1. The Political Flashpoints
In late 2023 and throughout 2024, Noah faced significant backlash regarding his public stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict. Specifically, a video showing him with "Zionism is Sexy" stickers went viral, leading to a massive "Boycott Stranger Things" movement on social media.
Regardless of where your family stands on the issue, this is a huge deal in your kid's digital world. In 2026, "stan culture" (extreme fandom) often requires kids to pass a political litmus test to support an actor. It’s exhausting for them, and it often leads to performative activism.
2. The Coming Out Journey
Noah’s 2023 coming-out video was a landmark digital moment. He used a trending TikTok audio and a caption that referenced his Stranger Things character ("I guess I’m more like Will than I thought"). For many kids, this was their first time seeing a major star come out in real-time, in a way that felt casual and non-sensationalized.
If your kid is a Noah Schnapp fan, here is a breakdown of his filmography from a "parent-who-actually-cares" perspective:
Ages 13+ The gold standard. It’s scary, it’s nostalgic, and Noah’s performance in Season 2 is legitimately some of the best child acting of the decade. Just be ready for the gore in later seasons. It’s definitely not for the little ones.
Ages 4+ If you have a younger kid who wants to see "what the big kids are talking about," this is your safe bet. Noah is the voice of Charlie Brown. It’s wholesome, sweet, and zero-stress.
Ages 12+ A historical drama where Noah plays a young shepherd helping smuggle Jewish children across the border into Spain during WWII. It’s a "serious" movie that shows his range beyond sci-fi.
Ages 10+ It’s an Adam Sandler movie. It’s silly, slightly crude, but mostly harmless. Noah plays a supporting role. It’s fine for a Friday night when you want to turn your brain off, but don't expect Oscar-caliber cinema.
Middle School (Ages 11-13)
At this age, kids are mostly focused on the "fame" aspect. They might be seeing his YouTube vlogs or seeing him in Roblox events.
- Focus: Discuss the reality of "vlogging." Remind them that even "unfiltered" videos are edited to show a specific version of a person’s life.
High School (Ages 14-18)
This is where the political and social controversies hit home. High schoolers are often pressured to "cancel" actors based on 15-second clips.
- Focus: Media literacy. Ask them, "Did you see the whole video or just the clip on your FYP?" Talk about the nuance of public figures having private lives and evolving opinions.
Check out our guide on talking to teens about cancel culture
If you want to bridge the gap between "that guy from the show" and a real conversation about digital wellness, try these:
- "I saw Noah Schnapp is doing a lot more with his food company lately. Do you think celebrities start these brands because they’re passionate about them, or is it just a way to make more money while they’re famous?"
- "I know there was a lot of drama on TikTok about Noah’s political comments. How do your friends feel about him now? Is it hard to like a show when you don't agree with the actor's personal choices?"
- "It was pretty brave of him to come out the way he did. Do you think social media makes it easier or harder for people to be themselves today?"
Noah Schnapp is a prime example of the 2026 Hybrid Celebrity. He is an actor, a creator, a student, and a businessman all at once. For parents, he’s a great "middle-ground" celebrity to follow because he isn't overtly toxic, but he lives a life that is messy enough to spark real conversations about accountability, branding, and the pressures of growing up in the digital spotlight.
He’s not "brain rot" content, but he is a product of the very digital ecosystem we’re trying to help our kids navigate.
Next Steps:
- Watch the first episode of Stranger Things with your teen if you haven't yet.
- Check the ingredients on that jar of TBH—it’s actually a decent lesson in label reading!
- Ask our chatbot about other Stranger Things cast members