If you feel like your child is suddenly speaking a dialect of English that requires a Rosetta Stone, you aren't alone. Gen Alpha (kids born roughly between 2010 and 2024) has developed a hyper-fast linguistic style. Because they are the first generation to be fully "iPad kids" from birth, their slang doesn't come from movies or music as much as it comes from 15-second vertical videos and YouTube Shorts.

The term "Brainrot" is actually used by the kids themselves. It refers to content that is so fast-paced, nonsensical, and repetitive that it feels like it’s melting your brain. Think of it as the 2026 version of "The Three Stooges," but on 4x speed and with a lot more references to toilets.

To have a real conversation with your kid, you need to know what these words actually mean in their world.

Derived from "charisma." It refers to someone's ability to attract a romantic partner or just be generally smooth.

This is a big one. Originally, a "Sigma male" was a pseudo-sociological term for a "lone wolf" who is successful but doesn't need a "tribe." In Gen Alpha speak, it just means "cool," "stoic," or "badass."

This comes from the Skibidi Toilet series on YouTube. It doesn't really have a definition; it’s an adjective that usually means "bad" or "evil," but it's often used as a nonsense filler word. If something is "Skibidi," it’s just part of the internet chaos.

If your kid says something is "only in Ohio," they mean it’s weird, cringey, or monstrous. Why Ohio? No one knows. It’s a meme that took on a life of its own. It has nothing to do with the actual state.

Named after a streamer (Fanum) who is part of Kai Cenat's crew. It means "stealing a bit of someone’s food." If you take a fry off your kid's plate, you are officially "Fanum Taxing" them.

You might see your kid put a finger to their lips and then point to their jawline. This is "mewing." It’s a reference to a tongue exercise meant to define the jawline. In the slang world, it’s a way of saying "I’m too busy being handsome/Sigma to talk to you." It’s usually a joke.

Slang has always been a way for kids to create a "members only" club that parents don't understand. In the 90s it was "all that and a bag of chips"; in the 2000s it was "on fleek."

The difference now is the speed of delivery. A word can go from a single video on TikTok to being shouted in every elementary school hallway in America within 48 hours.

Using this slang is about belonging. If a kid doesn't know what "Skibidi" is, they are out of the loop. On Roblox, using this language is how they identify who is "chronically online" (cool) and who is a "normie" (not cool).

Ask our chatbot about how slang affects school social dynamics

If your kid is obsessed with being "Sigma" or having "Rizz," you can steer them toward content that captures that vibe without the "brainrot" side effects. Here are some Screenwise-approved picks:

Ages 6+ This movie is the definition of a "Sigma" protagonist in the best way. Roz is a lone wolf who has to survive, adapt, and eventually lead. It’s visually stunning and has way more emotional depth than a Skibidi Toilet episode.

Ages 6+ If "rizz" is about social intelligence, Inside Out 2 is the ultimate guide. It tackles the "cringe" of puberty and the desire to fit in—which is exactly why kids use this slang in the first place.

Ages 8+ Instead of the chaotic, meme-heavy world of Roblox, Minecraft offers a more deliberate, creative "Sigma" experience. Building a world from scratch requires focus and stoicism—the traits kids actually admire when they use that word.

Ages 10+ Link is the ultimate "Sigma" hero—he doesn't talk, he’s incredibly capable, and he solves problems through ingenuity. It’s a great alternative for kids who are spending too much time watching MrBeast challenges.

At this age, the slang is almost 100% about imitation. They hear it on YouTube Kids or from older siblings and repeat it because it sounds funny.

This is where "Sigma" and "Rizz" become tied to identity. Middle schoolers are desperate for social status.

While most of this is just kids being kids, there are a few things to keep an ear out for:

Check out our guide on the 'Alpha Male' influencer rabbit hole

Don't try to ban the words. That’s a "low rizz" move that will only make them use the slang more. Instead, try these approaches:

Gen Alpha slang is a byproduct of the most intense attention economy in human history. It’s fast, it’s weird, and it’s often annoying. But at its core, it’s just a way for kids to navigate the digital world they’ve been handed.

As long as the "Sigma" attitude doesn't turn into "Mean" attitude, and the "Brainrot" doesn't replace actual hobbies, you can probably just sit back and enjoy the absurdity. Or, at the very least, you can "Fanum Tax" their Halloween candy and call it a day.

Learn more about Gen Alpha digital culture