January 20, 2025

Parents and Teachers on Gen Alpha's Favorite Slang

Parent Resources

"Bruh, that's sus!" If this phrase leaves you puzzled, you're not alone. The evolving world of Gen Alpha slang is creating new challenges – and opportunities – for parents and teachers. Our most recent study investigated how adults are adapting to the rapidly changing language of today's youth, exploring the impact on communication at home and in the classroom.

From the struggles of understanding to the surprising benefits of embracing slang, we uncover the modern linguistics shaping the interactions between generations. Join us as we decode the latest lingo and explore how it plays out in family dynamics and educational approaches across elementary and middle school levels.

Key Takeaways

36% of parents feel disconnected from their children's slang vocabulary, and 35% struggle to understand them overall.
70% of parents use slang when communicating with their children, but 56% of those parents say their children find it "cringe" when they do.
72% of parents say using slang with their children has strengthened their relationship.
77% of parents have adopted new slang because of their children.
55% of teachers opposed using slang in their classrooms, while 45% supported it.
73% of teachers feel they should be able to police students' language in their classrooms.

Can Parents Keep Up?

As children develop their vocabulary, parents often find themselves trying to understand a new linguistic world. This section explores how well parents grasp and engage with their children's evolving slang.

The generational language divide is evident in many households. More than a third of parents (36%) reported feeling disconnected from their children's slang vocabulary, while a similar proportion (35%) admitted to struggling with overall comprehension of their children's language. These figures highlight the communication challenges that can arise between generations.

Interestingly, attitudes towards slang usage varied between mothers and fathers. Moms showed greater openness to slang, with 73% supporting its use at home compared to 58% of dads. This trend also extended to the classroom, where 39% of mothers approved of slang usage versus 30% of fathers. Despite these challenges, some parents see educational potential in slang, with 1 in 10 expressing a desire for slang to be taught in schools.

While many parents may feel out of touch, they're not entirely in the dark when it comes to popular slang terms. Here are the most recognized slang words among parents:

Ghosting (85%)
Bruh (82%)
GOAT (78%)
Chill (77%)
Cringe (76%)
Salty (72%)
Savage (72%)
Basic (71%)
Sus (69%)
Slay (68%)
Boujee (68%)
Vibe (67%)
Shade (67%)
Fire (64%)
Lit (63%)

When it comes to decoding the latest Gen Alpha slang, parents often find themselves in uncharted territory. Let's see how moms and dads interpreted these trending terms compared to their actual meanings.

Speaking Their Language

Slang isn't just for kids anymore. Many parents are embracing their children's vocabulary, sometimes with mixed results. Let's explore how parents are incorporating slang into their communication and possible correlations with family dynamics.

A significant majority of parents (70%) reported using slang when talking to their children. However, this attempt to connect doesn't always land as intended. More than half of these slang-using parents (56%) admitted that their children find it "cringe" when they do so. Despite the potential for awkward moments, 72% of parents believed that using slang has helped strengthen their relationship with their children.

The influence of children's language on their parents is evident, with 77% of parents saying they've adopted new slang terms because of their kids. Moms seemed particularly receptive to this linguistic influence, with 81% picking up new slang compared to 71% of dads.

The top 10 slang words adopted by parents include:

Chill (41%)
Ghosting (35%)
Cringe (33%)
Salty (32%)
Vibe (31%)
GOAT (29%)
Extra (29%)
Tea (28%)
Savage (25%)
Sus (24%)

Parents aren't just learning new slang – they're also passing down their own generational lingo. The most common slang terms that parents have taught their children were:

Radical
Cool
Dope
Tight
Rad
Dude
Wack

Slang in School

The debate over slang usage extends beyond the home and into the classroom. Teachers are at the forefront of this linguistic evolution, faced with how to handle the informal language their students bring to school.

Opinion among educators is split on the use of slang in academic settings: A slight majority of teachers (55%) opposed the use of slang in their classrooms, while 45% supported it. This division reflects the ongoing discussion about the role of informal language in education.

A significant majority of teachers (73%) believed they should have the authority to regulate the language students use in their classrooms, highlighting the complex balance between maintaining academic standards and allowing for student expression.

The prevalence of slang varied by grade level. Teachers reported hearing these slang terms most frequently in elementary school (first through fifth grade):

Bruh (85%)
Chill (84%)
Ghosting (82%)
Cringe (76%)
Salty (73%)
Basic (73%)

Meanwhile, they heard these slang terms the most in middle school (sixth through eighth grade):

Ghosting (88%)
Bruh (85%)
Chill (84%)
GOAT (83%)
Cringe (81%)
Basic (77%)

While many teachers expressed concerns about slang in the classroom, others saw potential benefits. Teachers who supported slang usage cited these advantages:

Helping students feel more comfortable and express themselves (52%)
Bridging the gap between different social groups in the classroom (46%)
Building rapport and better connections with students (45%)
Encouraging creativity and linguistic expression (44%)
Providing insight into students' social interactions and culture (38%)
Making classroom discussions more relatable and engaging (36%)

Very Demure, Very Mindful

Gen Alpha slang is shaping communication across generations. While many parents and teachers have grappled with feeling disconnected from youth vocabulary, others have embraced this linguistic evolution as a tool for building stronger relationships and more engaging learning environments. Slang isn't just a barrier to be overcome; it can be an opportunity for connection, creativity, and cultural understanding.

Whether you're a parent trying to decipher your child's latest catchphrase or a teacher considering the role of informal language in your classroom, remember that language is ever-evolving. By staying open, curious, and willing to learn, we can bridge the generational gap one word at a time. After all, in the words of today's youth, that would be pretty "fire."

Methodology

For this campaign, we surveyed 1,005 parents and teachers of 1st-8th grade students to explore their understanding and engagement with the evolving slang vocabulary of students. The data was collected in September 2024.

About Prodigy Education

Prodigy Education is a global leader in game-based learning. Our mission is to help every student in the world love learning, motivating millions worldwide via fun, secure, and accessible curriculum-aligned gameplay experiences. At Prodigy Education, we believe maximizing student motivation helps develop a lifetime love of learning. Prodigy's approach to fun, game-based learning means kids no longer have to choose between homework and playtime. Visit www.prodigygame.com to learn more.

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