TL;DR
If your kid is suddenly making a "duck face" while squinting or calling everything from a cool water bottle to a Roblox skin "sigma," don't panic. For most kids under 13, "sigma" is just Gen Alpha slang for "cool," "dominant," or "independent," often used with heavy irony. However, for teens, the term can be a gateway into the "manosphere"—a corner of the internet featuring figures like Andrew Tate that promotes a specific, often toxic, brand of masculinity.
Quick Links for Context:
Historically, the "Sigma Male" was a pseudo-scientific personality type created by the same internet subcultures that gave us "Alpha" and "Beta." While the Alpha is the loud, aggressive leader of the pack, the Sigma is the "lone wolf." He’s successful, wealthy, and attractive, but he doesn't care about social hierarchies. He plays by his own rules.
In 2024 and 2025, the term has evolved into two distinct things:
- The Meme: A nonsensical, ironic punchline used in "brain rot" content on TikTok and YouTube Shorts.
- The Ideology: A self-improvement movement for young men that focuses on "grindset" (working hard), fitness, and emotional stoicism, which can sometimes veer into misogyny and social isolation.
For younger kids (elementary and middle school), "sigma" is often divorced from any real meaning. They see it in Skibidi Toilet parodies or hear it in Fortnite lobbies. It’s a way to signal they are "in" on the joke.
For older boys, the appeal is more aspirational. Being a "Sigma" feels like a superpower for the socially anxious. It tells them: “It’s okay if you don’t have a huge friend group or if you’re a bit of an outcast—that actually makes you more powerful.” In a world where many boys feel lost or criticized, the Sigma archetype offers a path to status that doesn't require being the loudest person in the room.
Kids aren't coming up with this in a vacuum. They are consuming "Sigma edits"—short, highly stylized videos—featuring specific characters.
This is the most ironic (and confusing) part of the trend. Patrick Bateman, a literal serial killer, is the "face" of the Sigma male. Kids use the "Sigma face" (a puckered-lip scowl) to mimic him.
- The Reality: Most 11-year-olds have never seen this movie (and shouldn't—it's incredibly violent). They just know the meme.
- The Risk: It glamorizes a character that was originally created to be a satire of toxic corporate greed and vanity.
Cillian Murphy’s character, Thomas Shelby, is often held up as the "Ultimate Sigma."
- The Vibe: Stoic, powerful, and deeply traumatized.
- The Risk: Boys often skip the "traumatized" part and just focus on the "stoic" part, leading them to believe that showing any emotion is "Beta" or weak.
Tyler Durden is another Sigma icon.
- The Reality: Like American Psycho, this is a movie about how toxic masculinity and consumerism destroy men.
- The Risk: Kids often miss the subtext and just see a cool guy who fights people and doesn't follow the rules.
While not a fictional character, Tate is the primary "real world" ambassador for Sigma culture.
- The Hook: He talks about working out, making money, and being disciplined.
- The Trap: He sprinkles in heavy doses of "traditional" values that are often just thinly veiled misogyny, suggesting women are property or less capable than men.
Elementary School (Ages 6-10)
At this age, "Sigma" is almost entirely harmless. It’s just a word they say when they win a game of Minecraft or see a funny video.
- What to do: You don't need to ban the word. If they ask what it means, you can say, "It's a funny internet word for someone who thinks they're a lone wolf, but usually, it's just used for memes."
Middle School (Ages 11-13)
This is the "Edge-lord" phase. Boys might start using "Sigma" to justify being rude or "edgy."
- What to do: Watch out for the "Sigma Face" being used to mock teachers or parents. This is a good time to talk about the difference between being "independent" and being "disrespectful."
- Check out our guide on navigating middle school meme culture
High School (Ages 14-18)
This is where the ideology matters. If your teen is obsessed with "Sigma" content, they are likely being served a heavy diet of "Grindset" TikToks.
While most of this is just kids being weird on the internet, there are a few things that should trigger a real conversation:
- The "Alpha/Beta" Language: If your kid starts categorizing their classmates as "Alphas" or "Betas," they are falling into a very regressive social trap that can lead to bullying or social isolation.
- Sudden Misogyny: If you hear "Sigma" used in the same breath as jokes about women staying in the kitchen or being "mid," that’s a direct influence from the manosphere.
- Isolation as a Virtue: The "lone wolf" thing is cool in movies, but in real life, teenage boys need community. If they are using "Sigma" to justify not having friends or avoiding social situations, that's a mental health red flag, not a "grindset" win.
Ask our chatbot for tips on talking to boys about toxic masculinity
Don't go in with a lecture. You’ll get the "Sigma Face" and an eye roll. Instead, try these conversation starters:
- "I keep seeing that guy from American Psycho in your feed. Do you know that character is actually a villain?"
- "What does 'Sigma' even mean to your friends? Is it a joke or is it actually supposed to be cool?"
- "I saw a video about 'Sigma Grindset.' Some of the fitness stuff is cool, but the way they talk about girls seems pretty messed up. What do you think?"
"Sigma" is the latest iteration of a very old story: young men trying to figure out what it means to be a man in a confusing world.
If it's just memes and Skibidi Toilet references, let it go. It's just the 2026 version of "pwned" or "swag."
But if it's becoming a personality trait that prioritizes isolation and superiority over empathy and connection, it’s time to step in. Being a "lone wolf" is lonely; being a deliberate, intentional young man is much better.
- Audit the feed: Take 10 minutes to scroll through their YouTube or TikTok together.
- Provide better "Sigma" role models: If they like the idea of independence and strength, point them toward real-life examples of men who are strong but also kind and community-minded.
- Learn the lingo: Read our full guide to Gen Alpha Brain Rot so you can speak the language without looking like a "Beta." (Just kidding, don't use that word).
Learn more about how algorithms push "Sigma" content to boys