Kids Are Into Some New Things, Apparently

Keeping Up With the Kiddos: What’s Trending Now?

By Leo Parks, Jape News Staff Writer

It’s… a lot. That’s what I’ve been gathering, talking to parents and, well, trying to eavesdrop a little. Things have changed for kids. It feels like just yesterday everyone was obsessed with fidget spinners, and now? It’s a whole new world. And honestly, it’s moving fast. I’m trying to keep up, I really am!

One thing I’m hearing everywhere is K-Pop. Not just hearing it, but seeing it. Apparently, Stray Kids is, like, a huge deal. My neighbor’s daughter is drawing incredible fan art and recreating dances on TikTok. It's really impressive, honestly, but also… intense. It's not just liking the music, it’s a full-on creative outpouring.

And speaking of unexpected things, did you hear about Snoop Dogg making cartoons? Yes, that Snoop Dogg. It’s called Doggyland, and it’s supposed to be educational. It’s… different. But hey, if it gets kids learning, who am I to judge? It shows things are changing, that kids' entertainment isn’t just the same old stuff anymore. There’s a lot more variety. I also saw something about a show called “Art Hub for Kids” and the drawings are really vibrant. Seems kids are really into being creative visually.

On the learning front, Khan Academy Kids is still popular – good old reliable educational resources are always appreciated, it seems. But there's also a move towards STEM toys and coding games. Apparently, kids want more challenging things to play with? That's... good, right? It's nice to see kids engaged with things beyond just, you know, regular toys.

But the biggest change? It’s the language, and how quickly it changes. I've been hearing words like “rizz” and “slay” and “sus” thrown around, and honestly, I need a translator. It's like they're speaking a different language, and it changes every week! It’s a way for them to connect with each other, I guess, and to know who’s “in” and who’s not.

And speaking of knowing what’s “in,” kids are very, very quick to call something “cringe.” Apparently, Facebook is officially “for old people.” And matching family outfits? Forget about it. And whatever you do, don't try to be cool. They see right through it! I think they just want to do their own thing, and they definitely know what they don't want.

TikTok seems to be the center of it all. It’s where they get their trends, share their creations, and connect with their friends. Parents are trying to get on there, I hear, but… it doesn’t really work. It’s their space, and they kind of want to keep it that way.

It's kind of amazing, honestly. They’re really driving their own culture, and we’re all just trying to keep up. I’m not sure I’ll ever fully understand it, but I'm definitely learning! It's a little overwhelming, but also… pretty cool.