Talking Gen Z–Alpha: How Understanding Slang Can Boost Your Child’s Mental Health

In today’s technologically driven and fast-paced world, falling prey to misunderstandings and communication gaps is easy, especially when trying to comprehend your young ones and their communication style. Communication and expression have dramatically evolved with each generation, highlighting a noticeable distinction between the communication styles of different generations.

Let me give you a few examples of the latest slang used by Generation Z and Alpha and what they mean. Knowing the meaning can help us feel connected and prevent assumptions that the words being used refer to something bad. Here are some examples:

Slang	Meaning
I can’t even	Feeling overwhelmed or unable to handle a situation, often due to stress or anxiety.
Dead inside	An exaggerated expression used when feeling emotionally exhausted, numb, or disconnected.
Low-key depressed	Describing mild feelings of depression or sadness in a casual or understated way.
Vibe check failed	Used humorously to describe feeling down or when the mood isn’t good, often referring to negative mental states.
Doomscrolling	The act of compulsively scrolling through negative or upsetting news on social media, often contributing to feelings of anxiety or hopelessness.
Mentally drained	Feeling emotionally exhausted or burned out due to stress, anxiety, or overwork.
Burnt out	Feeling exhausted, both mentally and physically, from overwork or prolonged stress.
Sending good vibes	It implies wishing for positivity, healing, and well-being. To communicate good wishes for someone.
Triggered	Used to describe feeling emotionally affected by a reminder of past trauma or mental health struggles. In casual use, it can also describe anything that causes stress or discomfort.
Emo	Used to describe feeling emotionally heavy or in a sad state, short for “emotional.”
Mental breakdown/ Menty B	Describes a moment of intense emotional distress or overwhelm, often used hyperbolically.
In my feels	Being overwhelmed by emotions, often sadness, or introspection.
Crippling Anxiety	Describes anxiety that is intense and overwhelming, making it hard to function normally.
Depression Naps	Taking naps to escape feelings of depression or overwhelming emotions.
Self-care day	A day dedicated to taking care of oneself, mentally and physically, often seen as essential for mental health.
Existential Crisis	A moment of deep questioning about life, purpose, or one’s identity, often accompanied by anxiety or confusion.

 

I would say that as an adult you need to understand the meanings of these slangs and differences in the evolution of language and communication styles to understand your young one and facilitate better communication between the two of you. One major difference is the influence of technology. Today’s world is shaped by digital communication, constantly creating new slang, emojis, and abbreviations. In contrast, before digital media, language evolved more gradually through print, TV, and face-to-face interactions. This highlights how fast language changes today, making it harder to keep up.

Young individuals also rely more on visual communication, using emojis, GIFs, and memes, while older generations mainly used text. There’s also a blur between formal and informal language today, as acronyms and abbreviations dominate everyday speech. Lastly, modern language is more inclusive, focusing on sensitive issues like gender and race, whereas older generations lacked that level of awareness.

Now that we’ve established the differences, we can discuss why staying current with recent language changes is vital and how it aids us in supporting the mental well-being of the youth. Understanding the new lingo can help strengthen relationships as effective communication is the cornerstone of healthy relationships. When you as an adult take the time to understand the language and expressions of your young person, it makes a real difference. It allows them to connect more deeply and genuinely, fostering empathy and reducing feelings of isolation or misunderstanding. This effort not only strengthens relationships but also makes them feel valued and heard, creating a more supportive and understanding environment.

A strong relationship between the two generations also helps in reducing miscommunication and creates a safe space for an open dialogue. When you understand contemporary slang and terminology, it can help you prevent miscommunications and ease stress and anxiety in relationships. By using or grasping the language of today’s generation, we can make it easier for young people to express themselves and share their feelings. This kind of openness is key for addressing mental health issues early and offering the right support.

This open, safe and understanding environment can build great trust between the older and younger generations, which results in an opportunity for safe emotional expression and trust between generations. Knowing and using the language of today’s generation can make you seem more relatable, fostering a stronger, trust-based relationship with your youth. When children feel that the adults in their lives are in tune with their language and concerns, they are more likely to view home as a safe space for discussing their struggles. This sense of security is crucial for emotional well-being, as it encourages open communication about their thoughts and feelings. Moreover, understanding contemporary language enables us to recognise and address specific issues children might face, such as online bullying or mental health challenges, leading to more effective support and intervention.

Photo by Afta Putta Gunawan – taken from pexels.com

Lastly, building this trust and understanding facilitates positive self-expression and assists in providing better support for social issues faced by them. When adults understand the language and cultural references their younger generations use, they can more effectively support their self-expression. This validation not only boosts their self-esteem and sense of identity—both crucial for mental health—but also enables adults to offer more informed and empathetic support. Many modern expressions touch on important social issues like mental health awareness, inclusivity, and personal identity. By grasping these nuances, adults can help the youth navigate the complex social and emotional landscapes they face, fostering a more supportive and understanding environment.

In conclusion, understanding the language of your beloved young people can aid you in supporting them through life so that they feel safe, validated and supported as they navigate the ways of life. The aim is to make the younger generation feel held and cared for by the adults in their lives so that they don’t feel alone if faced with any difficulties in life.

Ready to take the first step? Here at Mindkshetra, we offer resources and support for parents navigating communication with their children. Explore our website for tips, or schedule a consultation with one of our experienced therapists to discuss strategies for building a stronger connection with your teen.

Remember, open communication is key to fostering a supportive and healthy relationship with your child. Let’s bridge the generational gap, one slang term at a time!