TL;DR
If you’re seeing they/them pronouns in a game lobby or a character in your kid’s favorite show doesn't fit a traditional gender box, don't panic. It’s not a "glitch in the Matrix"—it’s just the 2025 digital landscape. Kids today are growing up in a world where gender diversity is baked into the media they consume, from the avatar creators in Roblox to the heroes in The Owl House.
Quick Links to Top-Rated Inclusive Media:
- Best for Younger Kids: Ridley Jones (Netflix) and Pinecone & Pony (Apple TV+)
- Best for Tweens: Nimona (Netflix) and Dead End: Paranormal Park (Netflix)
- Best for Teens: Heartstopper (Netflix) and Apex Legends (Gaming)
You’re sitting on the couch, your kid is playing Roblox, and you hear them refer to another player as "they." Or maybe you’re watching a show together and a character mentions having two dads, or simply identifies as nonbinary without a twenty-minute PowerPoint presentation explaining it.
For many of us, this feels like a massive cultural shift. For our kids? It’s just Tuesday. In the digital spaces where they live—Discord, TikTok, and gaming servers—identity is fluid, customizable, and often secondary to how well you can carry a team in a battle royale. But as parents, we want to know: What does this mean for our kids? Is this "brain rot," or is it just the new normal?
Roblox is the ultimate example of why gender diversity is a non-issue for most kids. In a world where you can be a literal banana, a giant robot, or a high-fashion model, "boy" and "girl" are just two options in a sea of thousands.
Recently, Roblox introduced new content labels, including markers for "Sensitive Topics." While these labels are mostly designed to flag things like romantic themes or mild gore, they also reflect a platform that is maturing. Creators are building experiences that reflect real-world diversity, and that includes nonbinary and gender-diverse characters.
When your kid spends three hours perfecting an avatar that doesn't clearly look like a boy or a girl, they aren't necessarily making a political statement. They’re playing in a digital sandbox where the rules of the physical world don't apply. It’s a form of creative expression that, for most kids, is as casual as picking a new skin in Fortnite.
In the past, "diverse" characters were often relegated to "Very Special Episodes" where their entire identity was the plot point. Today, media is moving toward incidental diversity. This means a character might be nonbinary, but their primary role is being a kick-ass dragon hunter or a tech genius.
This matters because:
- Mirrors: For kids who feel different, seeing themselves on screen is life-changing.
- Windows: For kids who fit traditional gender norms, seeing diverse characters builds empathy and prepares them for a global, diverse workforce.
- Accuracy: If a game or show wants to feel "modern," it has to reflect the world kids actually see online.
Not all representation is created equal. Some of it is beautiful storytelling; some of it feels like a corporate checklist.
Ages 10+ This movie is, frankly, a masterpiece. It’s a chaotic, fun, heartfelt story about a shapeshifter who refuses to be "classified." While it’s a fantasy setting, the themes of identity and being misunderstood resonate deeply. It’s one of those rare films that parents will actually enjoy watching without checking their phones every five minutes.
Ages 7+ Disney really stepped up here. Raine Whispers is a prominent nonbinary character who uses they/them pronouns, and the show handles it with total normalcy. The show itself is fantastic—think "Harry Potter but weirder and more inclusive." It’s a great example of how to do representation without it feeling like a lecture.
Ages 4-7 This is for the younger set. It features a nonbinary bison named Fred. To be honest, the show is a bit formulaic and "preschool-y," but for a 5-year-old, it’s a gentle introduction to the idea that some people don't go by "he" or "she." It’s harmless, though it might drive you a little crazy with its repetitive songs.
Ages 4-8 The Star Wars universe has been expanding its diversity for years. In this show, the focus is on teamwork and the Force, but the background characters and world-building reflect a galaxy that doesn't care about the gender binary. It's a "brain rot"-free zone that teaches solid values.
How you talk about this depends entirely on your kid’s age.
- Preschool/Early Elementary (Ages 4-7): Keep it simple. "Some people feel like a boy, some feel like a girl, and some feel like both or neither. We use 'they' for them because it’s polite." Kids at this age are usually like, "Cool, can I have a snack?"
- Middle Grade (Ages 8-12): This is the prime age for Roblox and Minecraft. They might see pride flags or "they/them" in bios. Ask them what they think it means. You might be surprised—they often know more than we do.
- Teens (Ages 13+): They are likely navigating these topics on TikTok or Discord. At this stage, it’s less about "explaining" and more about discussing how people treat each other online.
The biggest risk isn't the content itself—it’s the community.
If your kid is in a lobby for Apex Legends (which features Bloodhound, a nonbinary character), the risk isn't the character; it’s the potential for toxic players in the chat.
What to watch for:
- Harassment: Is your kid being bullied for their avatar choices?
- Toxic Communities: Some gaming circles can be aggressively anti-diversity. If you hear your kid picking up "edgy" or derogatory language from a YouTube creator or a Discord server, that’s your cue to step in.
- Privacy: Remind your kid that they don't have to share their real-life gender, name, or location with anyone online, regardless of how "inclusive" a space feels.
You might hear your kid call something "Ohio" or "sus" or "brain rot" in relation to these topics. Usually, when a kid calls something "Ohio," they just mean it’s weird or cringe. If they call a diverse character "forced," they might be parroting a YouTuber they watch.
Don't jump to conclusions. Instead, ask: "What makes you say that?" or "Do you think the story would be better if the character was different?" Engaging their critical thinking skills is always better than a lecture.
Gender-diverse characters in digital media aren't a trend; they’re a reflection of the world our kids are inheriting. Whether it’s a nonbinary Jedi or a customized The Sims 4 character, these elements are part of the modern digital vocabulary.
As an intentional parent, your job isn't to shield them from the existence of diversity—it's to give them the tools to navigate it with kindness and critical thinking. Most of the time, the "they/them" in the lobby is just another kid trying to win the match.
- Watch together: Pick a movie like Nimona for your next family movie night.
- Check the settings: Review the parental controls on Roblox to ensure your kid is in an age-appropriate environment.
- Talk it out: Next time a character uses different pronouns, just acknowledge it and move on. "Oh, they use 'they/them' pronouns. That's cool. Anyway, watch out for that lava!"