• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

SI Parent

Solutions For Parenting In Staten Island

Get Weekly Activities
Emailed To You
Subscribe
  • Connect With SI Parent:
  • Things To Do
  • Directories
    • After School
    • Birthday Parties
    • Summer Camps
    • Pre-School & Daycare
    • Health and Wellness
    • Special Needs
    • Home Improvement
  • Articles
    • Featured Articles
    • Positive Parenting
    • Stuff To Do
    • Coronavirus
    • Babies and Pregnancy
    • Special Needs Articles
    • Recipes and Food
    • Health and Safety
    • School, Camp and Education
    • Richmond University Medical Center
  • Subscribe
    • Newsletter
    • Birthday Club
  • Advertise With Us
  • SI Parent Guides
Home / Articles / Featured Articles / What is My Kid Saying? A Guide to TikTok Slang

What is My Kid Saying? A Guide to TikTok Slang

August 1, 2024 By Alexa Lutter

What is My Kid Saying? A Guide to TikTok Slang
Getty Images

What is My Kid Saying? The Ultimate Glossary to TikTok Slang

What the sigma. Skibidi toilet. Ohio rizz. If these silly phrases sound familiar, you probably have a kid in or near middle school age. You also probably have no idea what they are actually talking about (and you are not alone there).

The strange new lingo that has overtaken our kids’ vocabulary is aptly named “Brainrot” and it has parents everywhere struggling to communicate with their own children. But we’ve got you covered.

Pssst… Check out Our 2024-2025 Annual Guide

Let’s Break it Down

Here are some of the current trendy words and terms currently circulating TikTok

Brainrot: Chronically online and often using these terms in daily conversations

Rizz: Stems from “charisma,” and it means as much 

Gyatt: A large backside

Rizzler: A person who has an ability to flirt and charm people 

Skibidi: Popularized by the YouTube video skibidi toilet; kids use it interchangeably as a positive and negative adjective 

Ohio: Something that’s strange or unusual, stems from memes on the internet about crazy events that have seemed to occur in Ohio

Mewing: A trend of putting your tongue flat against the roof of your mouth to define your jawline. When someone is “mewing” they might run a finger along their jawline to express the inability to talk while ding so

Sigma: A male archetype to describe someone is very cool and well-liked, though often more reserved

As silly as these terms sound, setting boundaries with your child is important. These terms used in certain contexts and environments are extremely inappropriate. Especially when the school year approaches, using some of these terms could cause some trouble. While social media offers our children creative and fun content, it’s important to encourage a balanced approach to their use. You want your children to have a safe digital experience that does not compromise who they are.

What Can Parents Do?

Educate About Online Safety: Make sure to educate your child on how to stay safe online, such as by managing privacy settings, being cautious around strangers, and comprehending the consequences of sharing personal information on the internet.

Set a Good Example: Display healthy digital habits yourself. Kids tend to mimic their parents’ actions, so showing responsible screen use can make a positive impact. For example, watch your own screen time and how much time you spend on your own devices around your child. 

Monitor Content: Please ensure you are mindful of the content your child is viewing on TikTok. Familiarize yourself with the kinds of videos they are watching and the creators they are following. If needed, make use of parental controls that are offered in the app. 

Open Communication: It’s important to maintain open communication with your child regarding their use of TikTok. Engage in non-judgmental conversations to understand what they find appealing about the platform and what aspects they enjoy. If you find your child is using the platform with ill intent voice your concerns.

Set Limits: It is important to set clear guidelines for using screens of any kind and TikTok. It’s helpful to agree on specific times or durations for social media usage and make sure these limits are consistently followed. 

Encourage a Healthy Balance: Promote a well-rounded lifestyle that encompasses physical exercise, social engagements, hobbies, and academics in addition to screen time. Assist your child in discovering other hobbies other than the internet that they enjoy engaging in it. 

Take Action if Needed: If your child’s use of TikTok or use of language is significantly disrupting their daily routine, relationships, or school performance, it’s important to consider seeking guidance from a pediatrician or mental health professional if needed. 

At the end of the day, children are going to give in to trends and follow their friends to some extent. It is important as a parent to familiarize yourself with these trends and eliminate any potential harm.

Sign up for Staten Island Parent's weekly newsletters!

Filed Under: Featured Articles, Family Fun

Featured Events

Post an Event

Join us for a story time celebrating Car
Today, 3:30 pm

Story + Frog Craft: Caribbean American Heritage Month
West New Brighton Library

Do you love to draw, paint, and craft? 
Today, 4 pm

Tween Art Studio!
Stapleton Library

  This event will take place in person a
Tomorrow, 4 pm

Teen Open Art Lab
Todt Hill-Westerleigh Library

This event will take place at the South
Tomorrow, 4 pm

Break into the Box
South Beach Library

Want to enjoy a memorable day of family
June 22, 10 am

Sunrise Walks & Carnival
Henry Kaufmann Campgrounds

The island’s biggest kickoff to summer:
June 27, 6 pm

Food Truck Festival at The Mount!
Mount Loretto

View All Events…

Primary Sidebar

View Local Activities for Kids
  • Not the Forgotten Borough: McCown Students Create Website Highlighting Secret Sites of Staten Island
  • CityParks Green Girl Afterschool Program
  • Staten Island FerryHawks Announce May 3 Opening Night
  • These Are the Funniest Quarantine Songs on YouTube
  • Mom’s Guide to Successful Remote Work: Ideas and Resources

Staten Island Parent

Staten Island Parent helps parents make better decisions. We have the latest activities and local events that matter to you. Plus many informative articles and important directories including schools, afterschool programs, camps, special needs, birthday parties, health and wellness. Our contests and clubs are fun for the whole family!

    • Browse Past Issues
    • Get Activities & School Info

Footer

si parent logo
Staten Island Parent
One MetroTech Center 3rd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(646) 559–9100

Important Links

  • Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Browse Past Issues
  • Where to Find The Magazine
  • Write For Staten Island Parent
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap

Get Weekly Activities Emailed To You

Subscribe

Copyright © 1989-2025 Staten Island Parent Magazine, All Rights Reserved