TL;DR: Helping kids navigate "difference" today isn't just about the "be kind" posters we had in the 90s. It’s about building digital empathy in a world of "Ohio" memes and "cringe" culture. To get started, check out Wonder by R.J. Palacio, the show Atypical, and the game Kind Words.
Remember when being "different" in middle school just meant you liked a band no one else heard of or you wore the "wrong" brand of sneakers? Today, the stakes are higher and the stage is infinite. Between the TikTok algorithm serving up hyper-specific subcultures and the constant fear of being "caught in 4K" doing something "cringe," kids are navigating a landscape where standing out is both the goal and the ultimate risk.
When your kid says something is "so Ohio," they’re usually using the current Gen Alpha shorthand for "weird" or "not normal." It’s a way of policing the boundaries of what’s acceptable. As parents, our job is to help them see past the meme and understand that "different" isn't a punchline—it's the point.
We are living through a massive shift in how identity is formed. In the past, kids found their "tribe" in their physical neighborhood. Now, a neurodivergent kid in a small town can find a global community on Discord or Reddit.
But there’s a flip side. The same technology that allows for inclusion also creates "echo chambers of normal." If the algorithm only shows your child one type of body, one type of lifestyle, or one type of humor, anything outside that bubble starts to look like a target. Teaching kids to handle being different—and to respect it in others—is the ultimate vaccine against digital toxicity.
One of the best ways to talk about identity without it feeling like a "very special episode" of a 90s sitcom is to consume media that actually handles these topics with nuance.
Ages 8+ If you haven't read this (or watched the Wonder movie), it’s the gold standard for a reason. It follows Auggie, a boy with facial differences, as he enters a mainstream school. It’s not just about his struggle; it’s about how everyone around him has to change their perspective. It’s a great conversation starter about "choosing kind" when it’s actually difficult.
Ages 13+ This show follows Sam, a teenager on the autism spectrum, as he searches for love and independence. It’s funny, it’s messy, and it doesn't treat Sam like a saint or a burden. It’s a "no-BS" look at neurodiversity that older kids will actually find relatable because it deals with real teen stuff—dating, parents being annoying, and figuring out the future.
Ages 8-12 This graphic novel is a masterpiece. It’s a memoir about the author’s experience with hearing loss, but it uses a "superhero" metaphor that kids totally get. It’s perfect for kids who feel like their "difference" is a weakness, helping them see it as a unique perspective instead.
Ages 12+ While some critics find it a bit "too sweet," that’s exactly why it’s great. It’s a story about LGBTQ+ identity that isn't defined solely by trauma. For kids navigating their own identity or learning to be allies, it provides a roadmap for what healthy, respectful relationships look like, regardless of who you love.
Ages 7-12 This is a fantastic "stealth" book about inclusion. A robot ends up on a remote island and has to learn how to survive by observing the animals. It’s a beautiful metaphor for trying to fit in when you literally weren't built for the environment you’re in.
Ask our chatbot for more books about neurodiversity and inclusion
We often think of gaming as a place where kids yell "noob" at each other, but certain games are actually incredible tools for understanding different perspectives.
Ages 10+ This is a small, beautiful game where the only mechanic is writing and receiving anonymous kind letters. It’s a safe space where people share their real-life struggles, and you respond with encouragement. It’s a powerful antidote to the "Skibidi Toilet" chaos of the broader internet.
Ages 7+ It sounds basic, but Minecraft is where many kids first encounter "community management." Whether they are building a server with friends or joining a public one, they have to navigate different playstyles, different abilities, and different rules. It’s a digital sandbox for practicing social inclusion.
Ages 2-6 For the younger crowd, the introduction of Julia, a Muppet with autism, was a game-changer. The digital resources on the site help explain "different" in a way that is clear, non-scary, and deeply human.
If you sit your kid down for a formal lecture on "Inclusion and Diversity," their eyes will roll so far back they’ll see their own brain. Instead, try these entry points:
- The "Cringe" Conversation: Ask them what makes someone "cringe." Is it because they’re doing something harmful, or just because they’re being themselves and it’s "different"? Helping them distinguish between "socially awkward" and "bad" is a huge first step.
- The Algorithm Audit: Sit with them and look at their YouTube or TikTok feed. Ask, "Do you notice everyone here looks or acts the same? Who’s missing?"
- The "Ohio" Check: When they use slang to mock something weird, ask (casually!), "What’s actually wrong with that, though? Or is it just 'Ohio' because it’s not what we usually see?"
- Model Digital Empathy: When you see a news story or a post about someone standing out, talk about the courage it takes to be "first" or "different."
- Preschool/Early Elementary: Focus on "Everyone’s body/brain works differently." Use shows like Bluey (check out the episode "Turtleboy" which features Auslan/sign language) to show that different doesn't mean "less than."
- Middle School: This is the peak of "fitting in." Focus on the "bystander effect." If they see someone being bullied online for being different, what can they do that doesn't put a target on their own back? (e.g., reporting, or sending a private supportive message).
- High School: Dive into the "why." Discuss how social media companies profit from conflict and how "othering" people is a tool used to keep us clicking.
Check out our guide on how to talk to teens about online hate speech
The digital world has made "different" more visible than ever. This is a gift, but it’s also a burden. Your kid might be exploring their own identity in ways that feel foreign to you—maybe they're obsessed with a niche aesthetic or they're using new pronouns.
The Screenwise take: Don't panic. Curiosity is better than judgment. If they are exploring an identity that is safe and brings them community, that’s a win. The goal isn't to make them "normal"; the goal is to make them resilient and empathetic.
In 2026, "different" is the new normal. The internet has flattened the world, but it has also given us the tools to see every beautiful, weird, and unique corner of it. By curating what our kids watch and play, and by having the "un-cool" conversations about why we respect people who stand out, we’re helping them become the kind of humans who can navigate any "Ohio" situation with grace.
- Watch together: Pick one of the shows above (like Atypical) and watch it with your teen. No lecturing—just watch.
- Audit the apps: Check out our guide to social media safety to see how to filter out the most toxic "cringe" content.
- Read the room: If your kid is the one who feels "different," look into communities for neurodivergent kids to help them find their tribe.
Ask our chatbot for a personalized media plan for your family's specific needs