Why Gen Alpha Keeps Repeating Random Slang on Loop
I have two kids: one is Gen Z and the other is Gen Alpha. This means my house is filled with all kinds of slang that I don't understand at all. Thankfully, I have been spared the 'ballerina cappucina' talk (my condolences if you haven't). But there's a whole lot of other slang spoken around here. Current favorites seem to be 'six seven' and 'sus' and 'what the sigma?' I frequently have to ask my kids what the heck they are saying, because it basically sounds like gobbledygook to me.
I'm not the only one who finds the whole thing incomprehensible. In fact, there's a name for the slang of our kids' generation: 'brain rot.' While I'm not sure I'd characterize it as something that could potentially rot kids' brains, I am struck by how absurd the slang sounds, and how kids seem to repeat these phrases over and over and over—compulsively, and seemingly completely out-of-context.
I know I'm not the only one who's wondered if this generation's slang and its accompanying behaviors are normal. Did our slang words sound this nonsensical to our parents when we were kids? Why are kids obsessed with these nonsense-sounding words and saying them on seemingly endless loops?
To answer my burning questions, I connected with two experts who helped me unpack our kids' slang, and some of the odd behaviors that go along with it.
What is it about phrases like "what the helly," "Lebron," and "clock it" that kids seem to find so irresistible?
'Some phrases are just amusing to say,' says Carolina Estevez, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist at SOBA New Jersey. 'They may have a rhythm or sound that sticks in your head, or be part of something funny or viral that everyone is talking about.'
Many kids find repeating these phrases satisfying, or silly, or just plain fun to say, Estevez says. 'It is also a way to connect with what is trending or what their friends are into,' she adds. Often, kids don't even realize how often they are doing it, but they are just finding the experience enjoyable.
Ryann Sutera, CCC-SLP, a licensed speech-language who specializes in neurodiversity-affirming communication strategies and serves as managing partner at Support the Spectrum, says that viral phrases often have certain phonological features—like rhythm, prosody, and novelty—that make them rewarding to say. 'Repeating them can activate sensory-motor feedback loops involved in speech and self-regulation,' she shares.
The short answer: because it's fun.
Kids really enjoy playing and experimenting with language, Estevez says. 'Sometimes they shout a phrase out loud to make someone laugh, get a reaction, or entertain themselves,' she describes. 'It might not have a clear 'point,' but that does not mean it is not meaningful to them.'
Repeating these phrases—yes, at seemingly random times—can be a kid's way of feeling seen, heard, or just passing the time. For many kids, this is about just expressing themselves, rather than strict communication, Estevez says. In other words, they aren't necessarily trying to talk to you, or even annoying you. Most of the time, they are simply enjoying the fun language they share with their peers.
As a kid, I can remember repeating things I heard on TV or catchphrases my friends and I used to say. I bet you can too. Is that basically what 'brain rot' is all about?
It's not new, says Estevez. 'Kids have always echoed what they hear—TV jingles, cartoon voices, movie lines,' she says. The difference now is that this type of content is more widespread, because of the internet. 'TikTok, YouTube, and memes are exposed to more language trends, making it easier for those phrases to catch on quickly,' she describes. Still, it's essentially the same behavior, just from different sources.
Sutera agrees, saying that kids have always echoed things they hear in the media. 'For example, in my own family, we still jokingly say 'No soup for you!' from Seinfeld whenever someone steps out of line,' Sutera shares. 'What's changed today is not the behavior itself, but the speed, frequency, and global scale at which digital content is consumed and repeated.'"TikTok, YouTube, and memes are exposed to more language trends, making it easier for those phrases to catch on quickly."For the most part, these behaviors we are seeing in our kids are normal, even if we see them as completely bizarre. But are there any instances where the behaviors may actually be abnormal? For example, some parents may wonder if these behaviors are related to things like stimming (repetitive movement or sounds), echolalia (meaningless repetition of words), or self-regulation behaviors. They may wonder further if their child's behavior is a sign of a neurological disorder or a neurodivergence.
In some cases, yes, it could be a sign of those things. 'Repeating phrases can be a way to self-soothe, focus, or manage big feelings, especially for neurodivergent kids,' Estevez says. 'If it is persistent and seems disconnected from social play, it could be related to echolalia or stimming.'
However, you can have these behaviors and not experience any type of diagnosable condition. 'For many kids, it is just a fun, harmless way to engage with what they have seen or heard,' Estevez shares. The best way to know for sure what is going on with your child is to describe their symptoms to a trusted healthcare provider or child therapist.
Okay, so what's the bottom line here? Should we be concerned about our kids' slang and behavior? Or is it just the type of thing that we have to 'grin and bear'?
Most of the time, it's really nothing to worry about, assures Sutera. It's actually developmentally appropriate for most kids to experiment with language this way. It supports regulation, connection, and expression she says. 'Unless it's causing distress or significant interference, this behavior should be honored, not discouraged.'
If you want to blame anything for 'brain rot,' you can blame pop culture and the proliferation of digital content. Repeating the slang kids hear online and at schoool is just how they engage with this content, Estevez says. And if your kid is walking around saying 'Tralero Tralala' on a loop—but it isn't interfering with your child's ability to interact with others or focus—it's likely just a sign they're growing up in a media-heavy world.
At the same time, there are always exceptions and if your parental instinct says something more is going on, you should take action. 'If the repetition seems extreme or tied to anxiety or frustration, it is okay to be curious and talk to a pediatrician or therapist,' says Estevez. 'In general, though, it is a quirky kid behavior that usually passes with time.'
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