TL;DR: If your kid just told you your dinner "slays," take the win. It’s one of the few pieces of modern slang that is purely positive, rooted in a rich history of marginalized communities finding their voice, and used today to celebrate confidence. Unlike "Skibidi" (which is mostly nonsense) or "Ohio" (which is just "weird"), slay is a genuine compliment.
Quick links for the "Slay" aesthetic:
- For the fashionistas: Dress To Impress on Roblox
- For the self-expression: Nimona
- For the older teens: RuPaul’s Drag Race
- For the digital mood-boarders: Pinterest
If you’ve spent any time near a middle schooler or scrolled through TikTok lately, you’ve heard it. "Slay." "She’s slaying." "That’s so slay."
At its simplest, to slay means to do something exceptionally well, to look amazing, or to carry yourself with an undeniable level of confidence. It’s the digital-era version of "killing it" or "knocking it out of the park," but with a lot more sparkle and a specific cultural weight.
While it feels like it popped up on Instagram yesterday, "slay" actually has deep roots. It originated in the Black and Latino LGBTQ+ ballroom culture of the 1970s and 80s (think Paris Is Burning). In those spaces, "slaying" was about queer people of color reclaiming power through fashion, dance, and attitude in a world that often tried to keep them invisible.
Fast forward to the 2010s, and Beyoncé brought it to the mainstream with "Formation" ("I slay, okay?"). Today, Gen Alpha and Gen Z have adopted it as a universal term of endearment and empowerment. When a kid says it, they are participating in a long tradition of using language to build each other up.
In a digital landscape that can often feel critical or "cringe," slay is a breath of fresh air. It’s short, punchy, and high-energy.
Kids love it because it’s versatile. It can be a verb ("You slayed that presentation"), an adjective ("That outfit is so slay"), or even a standalone exclamation. It’s a way to signal support without needing a paragraph of text. In the fast-paced world of Snapchat and YouTube Shorts, "slay" is the ultimate quick-fire validation.
It’s also part of the "main character energy" trend—the idea that you should live your life with the confidence of a protagonist. For a generation growing up under the pressure of social media metrics, having a word that specifically celebrates "showing up as your best self" is actually pretty healthy.
Learn more about Gen Alpha slang and what it actually means
If your kid is leaning into this vibe, they are likely looking for content that celebrates individuality, creativity, and "winning" through self-expression. Here are the best apps, games, and shows that fit the bill.
If there is one game that defines the "slay" era for kids right now, it’s this one. It’s a fashion competition within Roblox where players have a limited time to coordinate an outfit based on a theme (like "Gothic Romance" or "First Day of School") and then walk a runway. It’s high-pressure, creative, and the chat is almost exclusively filled with kids screaming "SLAY" at each other’s outfits. It’s surprisingly competitive and a great outlet for digital styling.
This movie is the definition of slaying. It follows a shapeshifting teen who refuses to be put in a box. It’s punk-rock, it’s vibrant, and it’s about being unapologetically yourself even when the world thinks you’re a monster. It’s one of the best animated films of the last few years—far better than the "brain rot" content often found on YouTube.
Katie Mitchell is a weird, film-obsessed kid who saves the world from a robot apocalypse. Her "slay" isn't about being a fashion icon; it’s about her creative vision and her refusal to conform to what a "normal" daughter should be. It’s a fantastic family watch that celebrates the "weird" kids.
For older kids (13+), Pinterest is the ultimate "slay" tool. It’s where they go to curate their "aesthetic." Unlike Instagram, which is about performing for others, Pinterest is more about internal inspiration. It’s digital mood-boarding, and it’s one of the few social platforms that actually encourages offline creativity (like DIY room decor or fashion).
Ages 14+. If you want to show your teen the literal source of the Nile for this slang, this is it. It’s a masterclass in performance, resilience, and "the art of the slay." Just be aware—it’s a reality show, so it comes with the typical drama and adult double entendres. It’s not for the little ones, but for older teens, it’s a foundational piece of modern culture.
While "slay" is generally harmless, context matters. Here’s how to navigate it by age:
- Elementary (Ages 6-10): At this age, they are likely picking it up from Roblox or older siblings. They might not know what it means, but they know it’s a "cool" thing to say when someone does something good. It’s totally fine.
- Middle School (Ages 11-13): This is the peak "slay" zone. It’s used to build social capital and show support. This is a great time to talk about the history of the word—knowing that it comes from LGBTQ+ ballroom culture adds a layer of respect and depth to the slang they’re using.
- High School (Ages 14-18): By now, it’s just part of their vocabulary. You might see it used ironically or "post-ironically." At this stage, the focus should be on the platforms they use to "slay" (like TikTok) rather than the word itself.
Check out our guide on how to talk to your teen about social media algorithms
There are two things to watch out for when your kid enters their "slay" era:
1. The Consumption Trap
Because "slay" is so often tied to fashion and appearance, it can sometimes trigger a desire for more stuff. Whether it’s Robux for new skins in Dress To Impress or a constant stream of "hauls" from fast-fashion sites, keep an eye on whether their digital confidence is becoming dependent on digital (or physical) spending.
2. The "Everything is Slay" Fatigue
Sometimes kids use "slay" as a shield. If they are saying "slay" to everything, it might be a way of disengaging or staying surface-level. It’s the "cool" version of saying "fine" when you ask how their day was. If you feel like you’re losing the real conversation to a wall of slang, it might be time for a tech-free walk.
Ask our chatbot for tips on setting up a tech-free family night
You don't need to start using "slay" yourself. In fact, please don't—unless you want to witness the fastest eye-roll in human history.
Instead, use it as a bridge. If they say a movie character "slayed," ask them why.
- "What was it about what they did that was so impressive?"
- "Do you think they were being brave or just looking cool?"
- "I heard that word comes from the ballroom scene in the 70s—did you know that?"
By acknowledging their language without trying to "own" it, you show that you’re paying attention to their world without being an intruder.
In a world of "Ohio" (weird/bad), "Lizzid People" (don't ask), and "Skibidi" (brain rot), slay is the one we should actually get behind. It’s a word of affirmation. It’s a word of confidence.
If your kid is "slaying," it means they are feeling empowered. And in the digital age, a little extra confidence is something we should all be celebrating.
Next Steps:
- Watch together: Put on The Mitchells vs. the Machines this weekend. It’s a 10/10 for "slay" energy and family bonding.
- Check the settings: If they are playing Dress To Impress, make sure you’ve reviewed our guide to Roblox parental controls.
- Validate them: Next time they work hard on something, tell them they "killed it." You don't have to say "slay," but the sentiment is the same.
Learn more about how to navigate Gen Alpha culture without losing your mind