Last month, I discussed a pet peeve of mine: Gen Z and Gen Alpha slang! While today’s slang has simply been a source of personal annoyance, this month, I wanted to talk about another Gen Alpha concern. But this month’s topic is more than just a bother; This one genuinely saddens and angers me. I’m talking about the reappearance of racial, homophobic, and transphobic slurs, as well as the revival of outdated gender roles focused on possessiveness and ownership.

Why do I feel like this is a personal affront to me?! Why do I have this deep-rooted feeling like I was responsible for ridding the world of these horrid words and ideas? Well…as I researched, I came to realize that I am, in fact, responsible! The rest of the Millennial population and I, that is. As a generation, we worked tirelessly to move beyond this limiting and hateful speech! And our hard work is rapidly being undone by Gen Alpha. So, yeah, I’m angry!

How Did Millennials Work to Change Language?

Millennials, while not perfect, were part of a cultural shift toward inclusivity. We grew up alongside the internet and were among the first to use it as a tool for activism. Campaigns to end bullying, normalize LGBTQ+ identities, and raise awareness of microaggressions all challenged the language we used at the time.

It was during the Millennial era, especially in the late 2000s and early 2010s, that this shift became widely visible. Social media amplified conversations around identity, justice, and inclusion. In turn, schools, workplaces, and pop culture began reevaluating what was acceptable to say, what wasn’t, and why it mattered. Slurs that once flew rampantly became socially unacceptable. Media changed, workplaces updated their policies, and awareness grew.

I’m what people call a “cusper.” I was born right on the generational shift, so I consider myself both a Millennial and a Gen Xer. But I’ll still take credit for the language transition, because the push to challenge harmful language didn’t start with Millennials alone. Gen X activists, LGBTQ+ communities, and civil rights advocates laid essential groundwork, as well.

Why Are We Backsliding?

There has been a documented rise in “casual racism.” This term refers to offensive language framed as jokes or slang, especially on platforms dominated by young users. Many Gen Alpha kids encounter adult content, memes, and alternative right (alt-right) language long before they’re developmentally ready to process it. Combine that with a desire to fit in, and you get a generation that often confuses provocation with personality.

Each generation tends to rebel against the norms of the previous generations. Bringing back this language is an act of independence for Gen Alpha kids, but they often don’t grasp the consequences. They’re growing up in a culture that’s highly attuned to social behavior and norms, where everything feels policed. For some, edgy language feels like a form of rebellion. They're mimicking online influencers who use slurs for clout, without grasping the historical context. Our youth are responding to a polarized world where empathy feels optional and shock gets views.

“Trad values” (short for traditional values) is a phrase that’s being tossed around more frequently online, especially among Gen Alphas. “Trad values” refer to beliefs and behaviors tied to conventional social norms, including rigid gender roles, heteronormative relationships, religious or “old-fashioned” family structures, and an emphasis on marriage, modesty, and obedience. While this may sound great to some, nostalgic even, the phrase has taken on a complex, and often troubling, new life in online spaces frequented by Gen Alpha and younger Gen Zers.

Underneath the memes and irony, there’s a growing trend of reviving rigid gender roles and reinforcing ideas like male dominance, female submission, and hyper-conservative relationship dynamics. What makes this trend especially concerning is that it’s often masked as humor, which makes it harder to challenge. Teens might say “it’s just a joke,” but the repetition of these ideas, sincere or ironic, normalizes inequality and reinforces outdated power structures. It’s a cultural pushback, disguised as TikTok trends and edgy language. And for a generation still forming its values, it can blur the line between humor, identity, and belief.

What Harm Does This Cause and What Can Parents/Caregivers Do?

Words matter. Slurs dehumanize. Joking about ownership in relationships reinforces power imbalances. These aren’t just harmless memes. They reflect and reproduce systems of harm.

Millennials and older Gen Zers are in a unique position to shape Gen Alpha’s values. That means more than just banning words—it means explaining why certain language is harmful, modeling inclusive speech. When teens understand the history behind these words, they're less likely to use them flippantly. If we focus only on punishment, kids may retreat further into corners of the internet that celebrate this speech. Instead, we need open conversations, not just discipline. The goal isn’t censorship—it’s empathy, accountability, and respect.

We can also increase our own media literacy. There are algorithms on the internet to moderate offensive content. However, youth have invented creative substitutes to outsmart the algorithm. This phenomenon is called “algospeak,” and includes terms like “grape” for “rape,” “unalive” for “kill,” or “seggs” for “sex.”Both AI and human moderators often fail to recognize masked harassment, meaning harmful language flies under the radar.

Gen Alpha is discovering their identity right now! Let’s help them build a better world, rather than one rife with limitations, hate, and rigid, harmful belief systems. Let’s start a conversation. I would love to hear your thoughts.