TL;DR: TikTok slang moves at the speed of light. If your kid is calling you "Sigma" or saying you have "negative aura," they’re participating in a hyper-fast linguistic culture driven by TikTok and YouTube Shorts. This guide breaks down the most common terms, which ones are harmless fun, and which ones warrant a deeper conversation.
Ask our chatbot for a custom translation of your kid's latest text
If you feel like your child is suddenly speaking a foreign language, you aren't alone. Modern digital slang—often called "Gen Alpha Slang" or "Brain Rot"—is a mix of AAVE (African American Vernacular English), gaming culture from Roblox and Fortnite, and inside jokes from massive creators like Kai Cenat or MrBeast.
The reason it feels so nonsensical is that it’s designed to be "sticky." These words are short, punchy, and often attached to specific memes that disappear within three weeks. By the time a parent learns what "skibidi" means, the kids have already moved on to the next thing.
Here is the breakdown of the terms you are most likely to hear at the dinner table right now.
Rizz
Short for "charisma." It refers to someone's ability to attract a romantic partner or "spit game."
- Parent context: It’s generally harmless. If your kid says they have "W Rizz" (Win Rizz), they’re feeling confident. If they have "L Rizz," they’re admitting to being awkward.
- Learn more about the streamers who popularized Rizz
Sigma
This one is tricky. Originally, a "Sigma male" was a pseudo-sociological term for a "lone wolf" who is successful but doesn't need a social hierarchy.
- The Good: On TikTok, kids often use it ironically to mean "cool" or "boss."
- The Bad: It can sometimes be linked to "alpha male" content that leans into misogyny or toxic masculinity. If your kid is obsessed with being "Sigma," it’s worth seeing what their algorithm is feeding them.
- Check out our guide on toxic masculinity in social algorithms
Aura
This is the 2026 version of "vibes" or "clout." If you do something cool, you gain "aura points." If you trip in public or do something embarrassing, you lose them ("-1,000 aura").
- Parent context: It's a fun, gamified way kids track social standing. It’s mostly harmless and actually pretty funny.
Skibidi
This word literally means nothing. It comes from the "Skibidi Toilet" YouTube series (a surreal animation about heads popping out of toilets).
- Parent context: It’s used as an adjective for "bad," "evil," or just "weird." If your kid says "That’s so skibidi," they’re likely just being annoying on purpose.
- Is Skibidi Toilet okay for my 8-year-old?
Fanum Tax
Named after a creator named Fanum who playfully steals food from his friends during livestreams.
- Parent context: If your kid reaches over and grabs a fry off your plate and says "Fanum Tax," they aren't being a thief—they’re quoting a meme. It’s the Gen Alpha version of "The Dad Tax."
Mewing
This refers to a tongue exercise meant to define the jawline. However, in slang terms, if a kid puts a finger to their lips and points to their jaw, they are "mewing."
- Parent context: It means "I can’t talk to you because I’m busy working on my looks/being silent and mysterious." It’s a way to ignore people (including parents) while participating in a meme.
Ohio
For reasons no one can truly explain, Ohio became the "weirdest" state in the meme world.
- Parent context: If something is "Only in Ohio," it means it’s chaotic, bizarre, or glitchy. It has nothing to do with the actual state of Ohio.
Gyatt
Warning on this one. This is an exclamation used when someone (usually a woman) with a large backside walks by. It’s a shortened version of "God damn."
- Parent context: This is one of the few terms that is inherently objectifying. If you hear your middle schooler using this, it’s a good time for a conversation about how we talk about people's bodies.
You might hear kids refer to their own media consumption as "Brain Rot." This is a self-aware term for low-effort, high-stimulation content found on YouTube or TikTok.
While the slang itself is usually just a way to build community and identity, the volume of it can be a signal of how much time they are spending in these digital echo chambers. About 65% of middle schoolers report using TikTok daily, and the slang is the primary way they signal they "belong" to the group.
- Ages 7-10: You’ll hear "Skibidi," "Ohio," and "Fanum Tax." At this age, it’s mostly just mimicry of what they see on Roblox or YouTube Kids. It’s annoying, but mostly harmless.
- Ages 11-14: This is where "Rizz," "Sigma," "Aura," and "Gyatt" enter the chat. This is also when the slang starts to involve social status and romantic attraction.
- Ages 15+: By high school, many kids actually start to find these terms "cringe" (embarrassing). If they are still using them heavily, they might be doing it ironically.
The best way to handle this isn't to ban the words (that never works). Instead, try these approaches:
- The "Explain It To Me" Method: Instead of rolling your eyes, ask, "I keep hearing 'aura,' what does that actually mean?" Letting them be the expert builds a bridge.
- The "Cringe" Strategy: If you want them to stop using a word, start using it yourself—incorrectly. Nothing kills a trend faster than a parent saying, "This lasagna has so much rizz, no cap." They will be so embarrassed they’ll never say it again.
- The Values Check: If you hear terms like "Gyatt" or "Sigma" being used in a way that feels disrespectful or exclusionary, don't just lecture. Ask, "Where did you hear that?" and "Do you know what that's actually implying about people?"
TikTok slang is the "Valley Girl" talk or "Surfer Dude" lingo of the 2020s. It’s a way for kids to create a world that adults don't quite understand. Most of it is total "brain rot"—meaningless, silly, and fleeting.
However, paying attention to the type of slang they use gives you a window into their digital world. If they’re all about "Aura" and "Fanum Tax," they’re likely just watching harmless comedy. If they’re deep into "Sigma" and "Alpha" talk, it might be time to check their TikTok following list.