We’ve all been there: watching a kid scroll through brain-rot YouTube shorts or laughing at a "fail" video and wondering if their "empathy muscle" is just... atrophying. It’s easy to feel like the digital world is a giant empathy-shredder, especially when we see the way people talk to each other in Roblox chat or the comment sections of literally anything.

But here’s the 2026 reality: digital media isn't just a distraction; it’s the most powerful empathy simulator we’ve ever built.

In the physical world, kids are often limited to the perspectives of the kids in their zip code. In the digital world, they can inhabit the lives of people halfway across the globe, navigate complex moral dilemmas in games, and practice kindness in low-stakes environments. We just have to point them toward the right "expansion packs."

Empathy isn't something kids just have or don't have. It’s a cognitive skill. It requires "perspective-taking"—the ability to imagine what someone else is thinking or feeling.

When your kid plays a game where they have to manage a character's happiness, or watches a show where a character makes a social mistake and has to fix it, they are getting "reps" in. They are practicing the exact same neural pathways used for real-world compassion.

Read our guide on the science of digital empathy

Video games are the heavy lifters here because they require active empathy. You aren't just watching a story; you are making the choices.

Ages 10+ This game is a masterpiece. You play as a "Spiritfarer" whose job is to ferry deceased spirits to the afterlife. To do that, you have to get to know them, cook their favorite foods, and eventually, say goodbye. It teaches kids that everyone has a story, everyone has baggage, and being kind means meeting people where they are. It’s a far cry from the mindless loop of Skibidi Toilet videos.

Ages 12+ This is a game about writing anonymous letters of support to real people. There is no "winning," no combat, and no toxicity. The moderation is top-tier. It’s a beautiful way for "Ohio" kids (or kids who think everything is "cringe") to realize that their words have actual power to make a stranger feel better.

Ages 7+ It sounds boring—you literally just unpack boxes in different rooms—but it’s a masterclass in "environmental storytelling." Kids learn about a person’s life, their struggles, and their growth just by looking at their belongings. It’s a quiet, meditative way to practice wondering about other people’s lives.

Check out more cozy games for kids that focus on kindness

If you’re looking for something to watch that won't make you want to claw your eyes out, these are the winners for 2026.

Ages 3-99 I’m not pulling punches: if you think Bluey is just for toddlers, you’re missing out. This show handles complex emotional themes—jealousy, death, neurodivergence, and parental burnout—better than most prestige dramas. It’s the ultimate "how-to" guide for being a decent person.

Ages 6+ Based on the The Wild Robot by Peter Brown, this movie is a stunning look at "found family" and how kindness can overcome even the most rigid programming. It’s a great conversation starter about what it means to belong.

Ages 8+ The introduction of Anxiety and Envy as characters is a gift to parents. It gives kids a vocabulary for the "messy" emotions that usually lead to mean behavior. When a kid understands their own internal chaos, they are much more likely to be patient with someone else's.

We can’t talk about 2026 without talking about AI. While some parents worry AI will make kids "socially lazy," intentional parents are using it as a practice range.

Ages 13+ Characters on this platform can be programmed to have specific personalities. I’ve seen parents use this to help kids "rehearse" telling a friend they can’t come to a party, or understanding why a "grumpy" teacher might be acting that way. It’s like a social-emotional flight simulator.

A word of caution: AI doesn't have "feelings," and kids need to know that. The goal isn't to be "friends" with the bot, but to use the bot to get better at being friends with humans.

Learn more about how to use AI for social-emotional learning

At this age, it’s all about labeling emotions. Use PBS Kids or Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. When a character is sad, pause and ask, "How do you think they feel? How can you tell?"

This is the prime time for "perspective-taking" games like Minecraft (in creative mode with friends) or Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Focus on collaborative play rather than competition. If someone’s digital house gets griefed, talk about how that feels.

This is where it gets tricky. They’re on TikTok and Discord. The focus here should be on "digital citizenship." Help them see the human on the other side of the screen.

Let’s be real: not all "educational" media is good. In fact, a lot of it is terrible.

You don't need to host a seminar. Just use "The Pause."

Get a list of conversation starters for your next family movie night

Digital media isn't the enemy of empathy; it’s just a tool. If we leave our kids to the mercy of the "attention economy" algorithms, they’ll probably end up a bit desensitized. But if we curate their "Empathy Expansion Pack" with games like Spiritfarer and shows like Bluey, we’re giving them a massive head start in becoming the kind of adults the world actually needs.

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Ask our chatbot about the best books for teaching empathy to middle schoolers